Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129) - Côte d'Ivoire (Ratification: 1987)

The Committee refers to its comments under the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81), in so far as they concern the application of this Convention.

The Committee notes the communication from the General Confederation of Enterprises of Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI), dated 22 November 2010.

Article 9 of the Convention. Training of labour inspection personnel for the agricultural sector. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government and by the CGECI that there are no labour inspectors specialized in agriculture. It also notes that, according to the Government’s report, there are labour inspection medical doctors who are trained in all aspects relating to occupational safety and health. The Committee reminds the Government once again that, in accordance with Article 9(3) of the Convention, labour inspectors shall be adequately trained for the performance of their duties. Indeed, the special characteristics of the agricultural sector, particularly due to the use of pesticides and other chemicals, require technical knowledge in the field. The Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to provide adequate training for labour inspectors in the agricultural sector for the discharge of their duties and to keep the Office informed of the measures adopted and their impact. In this respect, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to the guidance provided in Paragraphs 4–7 of the Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Recommendation, 1969 (No. 133), concerning the minimum competencies necessary for labour inspectors who are to be made responsible for the agricultural sector.

Articles 14 and 15. Material resources essential to the performance of labour inspection duties. The Committee notes with regret the indication in the Government’s report that the system of labour inspection is still lacking adequate equipment, vehicles and suitable transport facilities that are indispensible for the discharge of its functions. It also notes that, according to CGECI, the human, financial and material resources allocated are inadequate and do not allow specific coverage of the needs of the agricultural sector in relation to the monitoring of the enforcement of laws and regulations, as well as the prevention of occupational risks. The Committee reminds the Government that, by ratifying the Convention, it undertook to take the necessary measures for its implementation in law and practice. As equipment and/or transport facilities are indispensible for the discharge of inspection functions in agricultural undertakings, it is the Government’s responsibility to make every effort to provide such facilities to inspection services covering rural areas that are not served by public transport. The Committee urges the Government to take all the necessary measures (within the framework of the national budget and, if necessary, by seeking international financial cooperation) to ensure that the labour inspection services are provided with adequate means of action and to enable labour inspectors to discharge their functions effectively (including, for example, suitably equipped offices, facilities and means of transport, the technical equipment necessary for the analysis of products and substances that are handled and used, etc.).

Articles 21 and 27(c). Inspections and register of agricultural undertakings liable to inspection. The Committee notes that one of the Government’s objectives is to map all the enterprises active throughout the national territory, and that this project has been delayed due to the socio-political crisis which divided the country into two. The Committee also notes the information provided by the Government on the number of enterprises, workers, violations and sanctions. The Government indicates that this information has been gathered as a result of constant cooperation between institutions and public and para-public bodies possessing data relevant to labour inspection. The Committee requests the Government to continue making efforts with a view to the progressive mapping of agricultural undertakings liable to inspection. It invites the Government to provide the Office with information on any measures adopted or envisaged for the development and maintenance of a register of agricultural undertakings. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on inspections of agricultural undertakings.

Articles 26 and 27. Publication and content of the annual report on the work of the labour inspection services in agriculture. The Committee requests the Government to continue making efforts to ensure that the central labour inspection authority publishes and transmits to the Office as rapidly as possible an annual report containing all the information available on the subjects covered by Article 27 of the Convention.