Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2009, publiée 99ème session CIT (2010)

Article 6, paragraph 1(a) and (b), of the Convention and Paragraph 14 of the Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Recommendation, 1969 (No. 133). Preventive activities by the labour inspectorate in agriculture. The Committee notes with interest that the labour inspectorate has again taken various measures during the reporting period aimed at reducing the incidence of industrial accidents and cases of occupational disease (according to the information on the Government’s web site, the incidence of accidents is two-and-a-half times higher in agriculture than in other sectors of the economy). These measures include an increase in the number of inspection visits to agricultural undertakings of 48 per cent compared to 2007 (including controls of a large number of agricultural machines and technical facilities, and demonstrations of the safe operation of tractors, machines, saws and chainsaws), as well as inspections in timber and other forestry management activities. The Committee also notes with interest the annual preventive and promotional campaign to improve safety and health conditions at work in individual farms. The National Labour Inspectorate (NLI) has also organized conferences, meetings, training and seminars for agricultural and forestry entrepreneurs, workers and occupational health and safety staff on relevant legal provisions, the hazards inherent to asbestos, transport activities, child labour in agricultural undertakings, and on musculoskeletal disorders and occupational diseases. The Committee notes with satisfaction the organization of other kinds of preventive activities, such as: (1) field shows and training courses in safe cutting methods in the event of specific threats (trees brought down by storms or snowfalls) in some forest district offices; (2) education in rural areas targeting children (including talks to over 32,000 children, with the help of schoolteachers) as well as adults, on the most frequent work-related hazards, accompanied by around 500 competitions and other interactive activities (Olympic, knowledge and artistic contests) for almost 53,000 rural children and young people, as well as actions in summer and winter camps for children, as indicated under Convention No. 81; (3) the organization of inspection stands and consultation points on technical safety at work during mass rural events, such as machine shows and exhibitions; (4) the publication and distribution of brochures, guidebooks and leaflets; and (5) the provision of information to the public through newspapers, radio and television. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide information on any further labour inspection actions and initiatives for the same purpose in agriculture, including forestry.

Article 16, paragraph 1. Right of inspectors to enter agricultural undertakings freely. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that, according to an accepted interpretation of the Act on the National Labour Inspectorate of 13 April 2007, inspection authorities in agricultural and forestry undertakings do not require authorizations, even though section 24 of the Act envisages such authorization. The Committee would like to refer the Government to its related comment under Article 12(1) of Convention No. 81 and asks the Government to ensure that the legislation is brought into line with the relevant provisions of both Conventions with regard to the free access of labour inspectors to workplaces liable to inspection with a view to avoiding differences in inspection procedures in practice.