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

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Brazil (Ratification: 1989)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s detailed report containing replies to its previous comments and of the appended documentation. Further to its previous comments, it notes with interest that pursuant to Decree No. 3.129 of 9 August 1999, a body (Corregedoria) has been set up in the Ministry of Labour to be responsible for the probity of public employees.

1. Prevention and supervision in occupational safety and health. The Committee notes from the information sent that strategies are in place to reduce occupational accidents and instances of occupational disease through the extension of supervisory activities, first and foremost to the inspection of sectors and work premises where risk levels are highest; educational measures; the training of technical staff; and the involvement of various administrative and non-governmental bodies. According to the Government, the measures include the revision and dissemination of the legislation and the development of information technologies and the training of labour supervisors, as well as the development of specific training activities for trade union organizations. The Committee would be grateful if the Government could continue to provide information in this regard, indicating the impact of the abovementioned strategy in sectors particularly exposed to risks of industrial accidents such as the construction sector, and the marble, granite and limestone industry of the State of Spirito Santo.

2. Labour inspection and child labour. The Committee notes with interest the information on the activities carried out by the child labour and young workers’ protection task forces. It notes that, thanks to the action of these task forces, which are composed solely of labour inspectors and work in liaison with the body responsible for coordinating special labour inspection projects, indicators on child and adolescent labour have been devised which can also be used in the informal sector. The Committee further notes Order No. 07 and Instruction No. 01 of 23 March 2000, concerning the creation of the child labour and young workers’ protection task forces (GECTIPA) which have a computer support system (ACTI) the main functions of which are: information dissemination; situation diagnosis; activity planning and evaluation; and the production of statistical tables and graphics. The Committee notes that, as part of the implementation of the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), a tripartite committee has been established to draw up a list of types of work that are potentially dangerous for the physical and mental health and the safety of children, with a view to classifying the worst forms of child labour. The Committee also notes that, in the same context, Ordinance No. 06 of 5 February 2001 has been adopted, dealing with premises and jobs which are insalubrious for persons of less than 18 years of age. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide information on the activities of the inspectorate aimed at eliminating child labour.

3. Labour inspection and forced labour. Noting the information that the regional coordination bodies of the special mobile inspection group which report to the labour inspection services play an important role in combating forced labour, the Committee would be grateful if the Government could provide information on the results of the latter’s activities.

The Committee is also addressing a request directly to the Government in which it raises other matters.