CMNT_TITLE

The Committee refers the Government to its comments on the application of the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81), and takes note of the information supplied by the Government in its report in response to the Committee’s previous comments. It wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the following points:

Articles 9(3), 11, 14 and 15 of the Convention. Human and material resources for labour inspection in agriculture. The Committee notes that according to the Government, the number and geographical distribution of the vehicles available to the labour inspection services performing duties in agricultural undertakings have not changed since the last report. It observes that the Government gives no criteria for such distribution. As regards the training needs of inspectors responsible for the agricultural sector, the Committee notes that the Government is committed to providing specific training. The Committee again requests the Government to send its assessment of how far the transport resources and facilities for labour inspectors meet the specific needs that arise because agricultural enterprises are geographically remote and scattered.

It requests the Government to provide detailed information on the frequency, content and duration of, and the number of participants in, the specific training organized for labour inspectors working in the agricultural sector, for the period covered by the next report.

Furthermore, it again requests the Government to take steps to ensure that labour inspectors in the agricultural sector can count on cooperation from properly qualified experts and technicians (doctors, chemists, safety engineers) in solving problems that demand technical knowledge beyond the scope of inspectors’ qualifications, and to keep the ILO informed on this matter.

Physical safety of labour inspectors in visits to agricultural undertakings. Further to its previous request on this matter, and noting the Government’s reply that labour inspectors may call upon law enforcement officers in the event of danger, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information on incidents in which the safety of inspectors has been ensured thanks to police intervention, and to describe the procedure followed.

Articles 6(1)(b) and 13. Collaboration between officials of the labour inspectorate in agriculture and employers and workers or their organizations. Further to its previous request and noting that the Higher Labour Council (forum for cooperation between officials of the labour inspectorate and employers and workers or their organizations) has still not been informed of matters relating to labour inspection in agriculture, the Committee again asks the Government to indicate whether measures have been taken or are envisaged to expand the duties of the Higher Labour Council to enable it to issue advice for improving working conditions and living conditions in agricultural undertakings, particularly in plantations and other intensive farming enterprises. If so, it would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the topics dealt with and the outcome of the Council’s proceedings.