Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129) - Malta (Ratification: 1988)

Articles 26 and 27 of the Convention. Annual report on labour inspection in agriculture. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments concerning the low proportion of labour inspection activities devoted to inspections of agricultural enterprises and the lack of specific information in this area, the Government indicates that workers employed in the agricultural sector represent only 1.41 per cent of the total workforce. The Committee notes that, although the number of inspections in the agricultural sector is rising, it is still low in relation to the 2,423 workplaces inspected in all sectors covered and that inspection activities seem to lack rigour (11 inspections in 2006 and two irregularities noted; 15 inspections in 2008 and five irregularities). The annual activity report for 2008 covers all sectors but does not contain any information allowing an assessment of the operation of the inspection system in agriculture in relation to the Convention. In this regard, the Committee reminds the Government that the full application of the Convention entails the publication of an annual report on the work of the labour inspectorate in agriculture and its transmission to the ILO. The Committee once again requests the Government to ensure that full effect is given to Articles 26 and 27 of the Convention and that the general annual report on the work of the labour inspectorate therefore contains the information concerning the activities carried out in agricultural enterprises required under paragraphs (a)–(g) of Article 27, presented separately and in a relevant part of that report. Furthermore, reminding the Government that, under Article 26, the report should be published and communicated to the ILO, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would also take measures to that end.

Labour inspection and child labour. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on inspection activities to monitor child labour in agricultural enterprises and their results.