Demande directe (CEACR) - adoptée 1997, publiée 86ème session CIT (1998)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report. It also notes the 1995 annual report by the Department of Labour which states that in 1995 the activities of the Factories Inspectorate were basically those pertaining to occupational health and safety and enforcement of factories, machinery and construction legislation. The Committee notes with interest the indication in the report that the purpose of these activities was to promote and improve safety and health and the well-being of workers and also, as such activities are directly linked with production and the economy, to enhance production and the economy of the country. The Committee also notes with interest the activities under the 1991-1995 Project on the Strengthening of the Factories Inspectorate, which included in 1995, inter alia, a workshop on ILO Convention No. 155 and the adoption of an action plan for the promotion and implementation of that Convention, a methodology course and purchase of equipment.

Article 3, paragraph 2, of the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that over and above the duties provided for under this Article, the inspectors are required to receive and investigate reports of complaints and disputes. It requests the Government to provide information on measures taken to avoid that these functions interfere with the inspectors primary duties under the Convention.

Article 7 of the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the process of training is slow as funds are short. It notes the information contained in the Department of Labour 1995 report that under the project on the "strengthening of the factories inspectorate" on job training in accidents and occupational diseases notification, recording and investigation, steam boilers and pressure vessels, were received by all factory inspectors. The Committee hopes that the Government will continue to provide information on any further training received by inspectors.

Article 11, paragraphs 1(a) and (b) and 2. The Committee notes with interest that at least one vehicle has been made available to each of the area offices and that labour inspectors are reimbursed travel expenses and are paid subsistence allowance. It notes however that there are problems with suitable equipment and that factory inspectors still have a limited number of field monitoring and evaluation equipment. The Committee hopes that the Government will provide information on any progress made as concerns the provision of offices suitably equipped.

Article 13, paragraph 2(b). In its previous comments the Committee noted the absence of provisions empowering inspectors to take measures with immediate executory force in the event of imminent danger to the health or safety of workers. The Committee once again expresses the hope that the Government will take the necessary measures to adopt shortly provisions to ensure the application of this provision of the Convention. It requests the Government to provide information on steps taken to this effect.

Articles 10 and 16. The Committee notes the information provided in the 1995 annual report of the Department of Labour that the quality of inspections and inspection reports has continued to improve, that as concerns health and safety inspections more inspections were carried out in 1995 than in previous years. The Committee also notes however the indication that the number of factory inspectors being still low, it was not possible to attend all factories as frequently as necessary. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made in ensuring that the number of labour inspectors is sufficient to secure the effective discharge of the duties of the inspectorate and to ensure that workplaces are inspected as often and as thoroughly as is necessary for the effective application of the relevant legal provisions.