Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Saudi Arabia (Ratification: 1978)

Purpose of the inspection of workplaces. With reference to its observation, the Committee notes with interest the increase by over 41 per cent in the number of inspections carried out during the year 2000 and notes that this increase is explained by the rise in the numbers of labour inspectors, the intensification of follow-up inspections and inspections at night. However, the statistical data on the violations reported cover inspection activities relating to legal provisions on employment, work permits and the placement of workers, to the exclusion of those concerning working conditions, such as occupational safety and health, hours of work and the working conditions of children and young persons, which are also subject to inspection, in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1(a), of the Convention. Nevertheless, the Committee notes that the statistics of industrial accidents, including those with mortal consequences, provided by insurance entities show a substantial rise over the three years covered by the annual inspection report. It considers that these figures, which the Government indicates are not exhaustive, should be given particular attention by the inspection services. Noting that the compilation of reliable statistics requires, according to the Government, a field study or specific follow-up by occupational safety and health technicians and that the question of industrial accidents is of particular concern to Arab countries, the Committee trusts that the next report will contain information on the measures taken at the national and/or regional level with a view to the compilation and rational exploitation of full and detailed statistics on industrial accidents as a basis for developing an effective policy for the prevention of occupational risks.