Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129) - El Salvador (Ratification: 1995)

The Committee refers the Government to its comments under the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81), in so far as they are also concerned with the application of the present Convention.

Articles 9(3), 11, 14 and 15 of the Convention. Reinforcement of material facilities available to labour inspectors in agriculture, specific training of labour inspectors working in agriculture and collaboration between the inspection services in agriculture and other institutions. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest that, according to information communicated by the Government, over the past years the number of vehicles available to the labour inspection services working in agriculture has significantly increased, rising from eight vehicles in 2008 to 38 in 2012 (three of which have both front-wheel and rear-wheel drive). The Committee nevertheless notes that most of the vehicles (27) are assigned to the San Salvador office, while two other offices have three vehicles, five have one vehicle and six others have none. The Committee understands that, in the departments of Sonsonate and Ahuachapán, for example, which have one vehicle and no vehicles respectively, agriculture is the main activity. It would therefore be grateful if the Government would provide an explanation of the criteria taken into account for the distribution of vehicles among the various inspection services.

The Committee requested the Government to provide detailed information on the frequency, content and duration of the specific training courses organized for labour inspectors working in the agricultural sector, and on the number of inspectors who took part. It notes that this information is not reflected in the tables on training given to labour inspectors from 2009 to 2012 which feature in the Government’s report. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to give labour inspectors in agriculture adequate training for the performance of their duties which takes particular account of the particularities inherent in the different worker categories, the type of work carried out and the specific risks to which the workers in agriculture and their families are exposed.

The Committee requested the Government to take measures to ensure that labour inspectors working in the agricultural sector may rely on the collaboration of duly qualified technical experts (doctors, chemists, security engineers) to solve problems requiring technical knowledge beyond the scope of their competence and to keep the ILO informed. The Government indicates that, when the need arises, labour inspectors working in agriculture have access to technical support from the General Directorate of Social Security. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would specify the ways in which these technicians collaborate with the labour inspection services in agriculture, including with those in departmental or regional offices.