Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Egypt (Ratification: 1956)

The Committee notes with interest the Government’s report containing information in reply to its previous requests. It also notes with interest the inspection procedures manual and the statistics relating to labour inspection activities for 2005. The supplementary information communicated by the Government enables the Committee to note with interest that the provisions of the 2003 Labour Code and its implementing texts focus on the particular development of the role of the labour inspectorate in the fields of occupational health and safety, and that the application of these provisions and texts is reflected in the statistics relating to occupational accidents and diseases which are found in the annual inspection report.

1. Strengthening of occupational risk prevention. The Committee notes with interest that, pursuant to sections 218 and 219 of the Labour Act, the employer is now required to organize regular medical examinations for all workers and not only for those exposed to hazards, as was the case in the former text. The Committee also notes that enterprises are now required to provide workers with training and information on the risks inherent to the activity carried out, and that they are also required to provide adequate protective equipment and to ensure that such equipment is used by workers. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide additional information on the manner in which labour inspectors are responsible, in practice, for monitoring compliance with these provisions, the purpose of which is to prevent and reduce occupational hazards.

2. Effective cooperation between the labour inspection services and research centres. The Committee notes that section 1 of Decree No. 114 of 2003, establishing the rules and procedures for research and studies in the field of health, occupational safety and occupational environment safety, provides that the National Research Centre for Industrial Safety shall take into consideration the recommendations of inspectors from both the General Department of Occupational Health and Safety and the Ministry of Health. The Committee also notes with interest that the General Authority for Occupational Health and Safety has carried out studies and research on certain chemical substances that can affect workers’ health. The Committee asks the Government to communicate to the ILO copies of any documents issued by these authorities concerning the matters covered by the Convention.

3. The Committee notes with interest that, by virtue of Decrees Nos. 152 of 2003 and 154 of 2003, tripartite bodies responsible for health and safety issues at national, provincial and enterprise level have been created in application of the provisions of the Labour Code. The Government is requested to communicate copies of any documents establishing the implementation in practice of these provisions and the operation of such committees.

The Committee is addressing a request directly to the Government on certain points.