Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Sao Tome and Principe (Ratification: 1982)

The Committee notes the Government’s report replying to its previous comments. It requests the Government to provide additional information on the following points.

Article 6 of the Convention. The Committee notes that, in the Government’s view, the level of labour inspectors’ wages, though comparable to that of other public servants, is inadequate in the light of the tasks they have to perform. The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether measures are envisaged to improve the pay conditions of inspectors and, if so, to provide copies of any relevant documents.

Articles 11, paragraph 1(b); and 16. The Committee notes with interest that the central inspectorate of Sao Tome and Principe has three vehicles. It requests the Government to indicate whether the three additional vehicles, two of which are intended for inspectors of the Autonomous Region of Principe Inspectorate have been acquired in the context of technical cooperation, as announced in the report.

The Government is asked also to provide information on any changes in inspection visits as a result of the reinforcement of the inspectorate’s means of transport and the implementation of the labour inspectorate development programme, which, according to the report, has made it possible to establish reliable and up-to-date databases.

Article 14. According to the Government, legislation needs to be adopted in order to give effect to this provision of the Convention, under which labour inspectors are to be informed of occupational accidents and diseases in the instances and in accordance with the manner prescribed by national legislation. The Committee stresses the importance which must be attached to implementing this provision of the Convention in order to develop inspection measures to prevent occupational risks. The Committee therefore trusts that measures have been taken to this end and that the Government will be in a position to send information in its next report on progress made in this area.

Articles 20 and 21. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee again requests the Government to ensure that an annual activity report is published by the central labour inspection authority and sent to the Office, in accordance with these two provisions of the Convention.