Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Dominican Republic (Ratification: 1953)

Also referring to its observation, the Committee notes that the Bill on the prevention of occupational risks should be the subject of an examination at second reading by the National Congress. It would be grateful if the Government would keep the Office informed of any development in this regard.

Article 3, paragraph 1(c), of the Convention. The aim of this provision, namely to bring to the notice of the competent authority defects or abuses not specifically covered by existing legal provisions, is to involve labour inspectors in the process of improving and developing legislation relating to conditions of work. They are actually the prime witnesses of the effects of certain gaps existing in legislation on the workplace. In this regard it would be desirable that the legislation make provision for the obligation to advise be laid down by section 436 of the Labour Code vis-à-vis the employer to be accompanied by the obligation to notify relevant findings to the competent authority. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would keep the Office informed of any measure taken or envisaged in this regard.

Article 7. The Committee requests the Government to provide regularly information on the content of the training given to labour inspectors, on the number of inspectors concerned and on the impact of this training on the results of inspection activities.

Article 9. The Committee notes with interest the strengthening of the Directorate General of Industrial Safety and Health, which currently comprises two doctors, five industrial safety engineers, one psychologist and four specialists in chemistry, who collaborate with the labour inspection services. The Government is requested to provide details of the practical arrangements for this collaboration and on its impact, particularly in establishments liable to inspection, where appropriate.

Articles 11, paragraphs 1(b) and 2; Articles 16 and 21. The Committee requests the Government to provide any document and any information concerning the cases and practical arrangements relating to the provision of vehicles by the Secretariat of State for Labour for inspectors operating in the sector of the capital and concerning cases and arrangements for the reimbursement of travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties by inspectors operating in other regions of the country, to enable them to carry out inspection visits in accordance with Article 16 of the Convention.

Article 14. The Committee notes with interest that a schedule is being prepared for determining and classifying occupational diseases and that a handbook and a new regulation on safety and health at work are being drawn up, with the assistance of Spain. The Committee hopes that the Government will soon adopt measures to give effect to this Article, which provides that the labour inspectorate shall be notified of industrial accidents and cases of occupational disease in such cases and in such manner as may be prescribed by national laws or regulations. It requests it to communicate any relevant information.

Article 19. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would state the measures taken or envisaged to give effect to this Article concerning the obligations and arrangements for periodical reports from the labour inspectors to the central inspection authority.

Articles 20 and 21. The Committee notes the statistical information on the work of the labour inspection services. Referring to paragraphs 272 ff. of its 1985 General Survey on labour inspection, which stress the importance at national and international levels of the publication and communication to the ILO of annual general reports on the work of the inspection services. The Committee again expresses the hope that the Government will not fail to ensure that effect is given rapidly to these provisions, the application of which is essential for evaluating and improving the inspection system.