Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - India (Ratification: 1949)

Articles 6 and 7 of the Convention. Status and conditions of labour inspectors. The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report, in response to its previous comments on the qualifications required and the conditions of service of labour inspectors at central and state levels, including the Government’s indication that there are no minimum qualifications required to be recruited as dock safety inspectors, but that adequate trainings are provided to ensure that inspectors are properly equipped to perform their duties. The Committee requests once again the Government to indicate the levels of remuneration of labour inspectors and their employment tenure in comparison to the remuneration levels and job tenure of other officials exercising functions of similar complexity and responsibility, such as tax collectors and the police.

Articles 10, 12 and 16. Coverage of workplaces by labour inspections. Self-inspection scheme. Following its previous comments on the use of the self-certification system, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the system is operation in certain special economic zones, including Vishakhapatnam and Cochin, and in some states. The Committee also notes the Government’s reiteration that labour inspectors are fully empowered to inspect establishments when required and on receipt of complaints. However, the Committee notes that in some states, like Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh, only a limited percentage of the units/establishments covered under the self-certification system can be picked up randomly for inspection annually, and once inspected, the same units/establishments are unlikely to be inspected in the next five years, unless a specific complaint is brought. According to the Government, not all workplaces join the self-certification system. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the implementation of the self-certification system, and how this system impacts the ability of the labour inspectorate, in states where the system is operational, to decide which workplaces to inspect. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the percentage of workplaces covered by the self-certification system, compared to the percentage of workplaces liable to inspection in the country.

Articles 12(1)(a) and (b), and 18. Free access of labour inspectors to workplaces. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that Tripura recorded four cases where police assistance was requested, and one case under section 353 of the Penal Code was recorded in Bihar. The Committee requests the Government to further provide information on any cases where police assistance was requested by a labour inspector in order to access a workplace, and to indicate the number of cases brought under section 353 of the Penal Code for obstructing labour inspectors in the performance of their duties, the outcome of such cases and the penalties imposed.