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1. Article 3, paragraphs 1 and 2, of the Convention. Review of the functions of the labour inspectorate. Further to its previous and repeated comments to the effect that in settling disputes labour inspectors assume a burden that is detrimental to the performance of their primary duties set out in Article 3, paragraph 1, the Committee notes with satisfaction that following the 2005 amendment to the Industrial Relations Act (No. 1 of 2000) (particularly sections 76, 77 and 78), labour disputes are now referred directly to the Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration Commission, and not to the Commissioner of Labour or any person authorized to act on his behalf.

2. Articles 20 and 21. Annual labour inspection report. The Committee also notes with interest that the annual report of the Department of Labour for 2005 contains detailed information and statistics on the work of the inspection services and on their resources and their constraints in the light of their needs. This information is a valuable tool for evaluating the functioning and the results of the inspection services and an essential basis on which to determine appropriate budgetary funding for the future.

The Committee is addressing a request on other matters directly to the Government.