Observación (CEACR) - Adopción: 2002, Publicación: 91ª reunión CIT (2003)

The Committee notes the observations made by the Latin American Confederation of Labour Inspectors (CIIT) of 20 May 2002. These observations, which are supplementary to those provided by the same organization in 1999, were forward by the ILO to the Government on 22 July 2002. In the view of the organization, the situation denounced in 1999 persists and the operational capacity of the inspection services is continuing to deteriorate. The comments made by the CIIT concern matters relating to the establishment of an inspection system, the functions of the labour inspection system, the status and conditions of service of labour inspectors, their training and activities related to the inspection of workplaces.

Furthermore, the Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received and it is therefore bound to reiterate its previous observation on the following points:

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report received by the Office on 8 November 1999. It also notes the observations by the Latin American Confederation of Labour Inspectors of June 1999 alleging in particular the inadequacy of the number of inspectors and of inspection visits which are conducted mainly following complaints and not following a pre-established programme, as well as the absence of means of transport and the non-reimbursement of expenses.

The Committee notes that, according to the statistics transmitted by the Government, the number of inspectors (73) and visits (1,005) in 1998 is insufficient if compared to the number of undertakings (30,000) liable for inspection. These statistics show that each inspector carried out an average of 1.15 inspections monthly, that is a decrease of about 30 per cent in relation to 1996 when the number, although low in absolute terms, was higher. The Government acknowledges that the inspection services lack means of transport, but that certain expenses are reimbursed.

The Committee takes note with interest of the manual on labour inspection, approved by resolution No. 159 of 30 April 1998, relating in particular to the functions and powers of inspectors and to the inspection procedures; its annex reflects the text of the ILO Conventions on labour inspection, as well as the essential national provisions. It also notes a document of September 1999 sent by the Government on the preparation of programmed visits. Noting however that the Latin American Confederation of Labour Inspectors refers to the absence of a manual or guide for inspectors, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the measures contemplated to disseminate the above manual among inspectors.

The Committee hopes that the various initiatives taken by the Government will contribute to improving the activities of the labour inspectorate and that it will take the necessary measures to make available to the inspectorate the resources needed to increase the number of inspectors and the frequency of inspection visits, including programmed visits. It requests the Government to provide information on the progress made.

The Committee hopes that a report will be provided for examination at its next session and that it will contain full particulars on all the points raised.

The Committee is also once again addressing its previous request on other points directly to the Government.