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With reference to its observation under the Convention, the Committee notes the Government’s report for the period ending June 1997, and the detailed information contained in the annual inspection reports from 1995 to 1999. It requests the Government to provide additional information on the following points.

1.  Prevention of employment accidents and occupational diseases.  The Committee notes a worrying increase in the employment accidents, work-related deaths and occupational diseases reported over recent years and draws the Government’s attention to the need to take the appropriate measures for the prevention of occupational risks. It would be grateful if the Government would indicate the measures which have been taken or are envisaged with a view to ensuring greater safety at the workplace under the control of the labour inspection services.

2.  Powers of injunction of labour inspectors.  The Committee notes the statistics provided in the annual inspection reports concerning violations and the penalties imposed in the event of violations of the legal provisions which are under the supervision of the labour inspectorate. It notes that these statistics do not cover issues relating to occupational safety. It therefore requests the Government to provide details on the manner in which labour inspectors supervise the application of legal provisions respecting occupational safety and health and to describe the procedures applicable, particularly in relation to the provisions of Article 13.

3.  Cooperation and collaboration in respect of labour inspection.  The Committee notes the Government’s indications concerning the collaboration between the labour inspection services and other government services, and particularly the inspection services of the Ministry of Transport and local administrations in governorates, and it wishes to recall that, in accordance with Article 5(b),the competent authority shall make appropriate arrangements to promote collaboration between officials of the labour inspectorate and employers and workers or their organizations. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide detailed information, firstly, on the nature and forms of the cooperation of the labour inspection services and the services referred to in its report for 1997 and, secondly, on any measure which has been taken or is envisaged under Article 5(b) to promote collaboration with the social partners or their representatives.

4.  Participation and role of women in the staff of the labour inspection services.  The Committee notes with interest the data provided concerning the permanent and temporary staff of the labour inspection services. It would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the proportion of women in the staff, at each level of responsibility, and if it would indicate whether, as envisaged in Article 8 of the Convention, special duties are assigned to men and women inspectors respectively.

5.  Labour inspection and child labour.  The Committee notes that the annual labour statistics show a significant number of young persons engaged in certain economic sectors. It would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether specific measures are taken by the inspection services to supervise the working conditions of young persons, particularly with regard to their health and their physical and moral safety at the workplace.