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The Committee notes the Government’s report on the application of the Convention for the period between 31 May 2002 and 31 May 2005. It notes with interest that the annual report on the work and activities of the labour inspectorate contains distinct and detailed information on the subjects covered by Article 27 of the Convention, as well as relevant analyses and recommendations to improve the operation of inspection in agriculture.

1. Articles 14 and 6, paragraph (3) of the Convention. Inadequacy of labour inspection personnel and other duties entrusted to inspectors. With reference to its comment under Convention No. 81 concerning the inadequacy of the human, material and logistical resources of the single inspection system, the Committee emphasizes the need to ensure that the resources and means of action of the labour inspectorate are devoted principally to the duties determined in the relevant Conventions that have been ratified. As the same inspectors are competent in all sectors, it is therefore indispensable for the Government to envisage taking measures to relieve them of any other duties which may prejudice the discharge of their inspection duties, the nature and complexity of which require total availability. Furthermore, as mobility is an even greater requirement for the discharge of inspection functions in agriculture, in view of the distance and dispersion of the workplaces liable to inspection, it is necessary for specific transport facilities to be made available to inspectors. The Committee would be grateful if the Government, with a view to the implementation of the present Convention, would adopt the measures called for under Convention No. 81 and would provide relevant information in its next report.

2. Article 6, paragraph 1(b), and Paragraph 2(a) of Recommendation No. 133. Technical information and advice and training functions. The Committee notes from the annual activity report for 2004 that, following an inspection campaign carried out between July and September 2002 on safety and health in agricultural activities, the inspectors considered that the primary obstacle to the application of the relevant legal provisions, particularly in small farms, remains the low level of knowledge of farmers both with regard to the law and basic principles. This is due, firstly, to the scarcity of information and documentation to which they have access and, secondly, the inadequacy of the practical training provided to workers. In large farms, while the testing and controls of work equipment are carried out suitably by the employer, shortcomings have nevertheless been noted in the field of organization. Following the campaign, the inspectors therefore considered it necessary to provide farmers with educational and training services in the field of occupational safety and health, with specific measures being required in relation to owner-occupiers. Noting that efforts in relation to labour inspection in agriculture were planned for 2005, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would keep the ILO informed of the measures adopted to develop the provision to the employers and workers concerned of technical information and advice to ensure occupational safety and health, and if it would provide information on the progress achieved and, where appropriate, the difficulties encountered in the application of the Convention in this respect.