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The Committee notes the Government's reports. It also notes the annual report on the activities of the labour inspectorate for 1997 and the unofficial translation of Act No. 108 of 1999 establishing and organizing the labour inspectorate.

Articles 6 and 13, paragraph 2, of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest that the new Act contains provisions bringing the national legislation into greater conformity with the Convention. It notes in particular section 16(1) and (2) respecting the status of labour inspectors (Article 6) and section 19(e) and (f) respecting the powers of labour inspectors to issue orders (Article 13, paragraph 2). The Government is requested to provide a copy of the original text of the above Act.

Article 7, paragraph 3. The Committee notes that, according to the Government, the operation of the national training and education centre for occupational safety and health, which will soon be established, will be placed under the coordination of the labour inspectorate. It hopes that the Government will provide information on the requirements for admission to the centre, the content of the programmes to be offered there and the functions of the centre.

Articles 16 and 21. The Committee notes with interest the information contained in the annual report of the inspection services for 1997, particularly with regard to the matters covered by points (a), (b), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of Article 21. However, it notes the absence of statistics of workplaces liable to inspection and the number of workers employed therein (Article 21(c)). Statistics on all the workplaces liable to inspection are necessary for a proper assessment of the extent to which Article 16 is applied. The Government is therefore requested to take the appropriate measures to include this information in future annual reports of the inspection services.