Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Antigua and Barbuda (Ratification: 1983)

Article 5 of the Convention.  Cooperation between the labour inspection services and other Government services or public institutions and collaboration with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes that no progress has been made since 1997 in promoting cooperation between the labour inspectorate and the Ministry of Health despite the Government’s commitment to this end. The Committee is therefore once again bound to request the Government to supply detailed information on the practical measures taken or envisaged to establish and develop this cooperation (for instance, through the regular exchange of information and data, common training seminars or conferences, etc.) and on the results achieved or any difficulties encountered. It also asks the Government to provide the information requested previously on the contents and modalities of the cooperation in question.

The Committee notes that the collaboration with trade unions, announced by the Government in its 2006 and 2008 reports, is very limited, merely consisting of the trade unions informing the Labour Department of violations of legal provisions in workplaces. The Committee therefore wishes to refer the Government once again to Part II of the Labour Inspection Recommendation, 1947 (No. 81), on examples of measures that might be taken to encourage collaboration between labour inspectors and both workers and employers, such as the organization of conferences or joint committees, or similar bodies to provide a space for discussions on safety and health issues. The Committee requests the Government to inform the ILO of the measures taken to encourage collaboration between the labour inspectorate and the social partners, and the results achieved in the areas covered.

In addition, noting the information communicated by the Government on the application of Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), on the existence of a Labour Advisory Board with a tripartite structure, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the matters discussed within this body and to provide the ILO with copies of relevant documents.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.