Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) (Ratification: 1998)
Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129) (Ratification: 2010)

Previous comments: observation and direct request

In order to provide a comprehensive view of issues relating to the application of ratified Conventions on labour inspection, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 81 (labour inspection) and 129 (labour inspection in agriculture) together.

Articles 3(2), 10, 16, 17 and 18 of Convention No. 81 and Articles 6(3), 14, 21, 22 and 24 of Convention No. 129. Functions assigned to labour inspectors. Number of inspectors, number of inspection visits and enforcement. Following its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that there are currently six officers who act as labour inspectors (five in 2020), and that five positions for occupational safety and health (OSH) inspectors remain vacant. The Government indicates that 23 inspection visits have been conducted, including in the agricultural sector, and that five violations were detected. Accordingly, improvement notices were issued for underpaying workers, non-payments of overtime, and absence of fire extinguishers on the premises. With regard to functions carried out by labour inspectors, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that 95 percent of labour inspectors’ time is spent performing their main functions, which are to investigate individual complaints, ensure that labour laws are adhered to and inspect workplaces to ensure the workplace is conducive for work. The Committee also notes that according to the job descriptions provided by the Government, labour officers and senior labour officers are engaged in some conciliation function in relation to individual complaints and that approximately 50 percent of the activities performed by senior labour officers relate to employment and labour market research. The Committee encourages the Government to continue to pursue its efforts to ensure that the labour inspection services have at their disposal an adequate number of labour inspectors, including OSH inspectors, to enable them to effectively carry out their duties and that workplaces are inspected as often and as thoroughly as is necessary. In this respect, it requests the Government to continue to provide information on: (i) the number of labour inspectors (including OSH inspectors), indicating the number of inspectors recruited as labour officers and as senior labour officers; (ii) the number of inspection visits undertaken each year, specifying the number of inspections in the agricultural sector; and (iii) the results of those inspections, such as the number of violations detected, and penalties imposed. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure the filling of the vacant positions of OSH inspectors, and to indicate whether the compensation and other terms and conditions of employment for OSH inspectors are equivalent or comparable to those for labour inspectors.

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