Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Lebanon (Ratification: 1962)

The Committee notes the observations of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (CGTL), transmitted by the Government on 25 August 2023. It further notes that on 10 September 2024, the Government transmitted observations from the CGTL which reproduce those of 2023.

Labour Law reform. The Committee notes the information provided on the completion of a draft law to amend the Labour Law, with provisions on labour inspection contained in its chapter VIII, as well as information regarding the obstacles in obtaining approval of the draft law from the Council of Ministers. The Committee requests the Government, in the context of the legislative process, to remain attentive to the matters raised by the Committee in its comments, with a view to achieving full conformity with the Convention. It recalls that the Government can avail itself of the technical assistance of the Office in this respect. The Committee also requests to the Government to keep it informed of further progress in its efforts to amend the Labour Law.

Articles 4, 5(a), 10, 11, 20 and 21 of the Convention. Organization and operation of the labour inspection system. Human and material resources. Coordination and cooperation within labour inspection services and with other Government services. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s recognition that coordination between the inspection services and other governmental services remains weak. The Government indicates that: (i) the bill on restructuring the Ministry of Labour has not been finalized due to the situation in the country and that it remains under review by the Civil Service Council; and (ii) regional inspection activities are not supervised or controlled by a central authority. In this respect, the Committee notes the request for ILO technical assistance to establish a central authority for the Labour Inspectorate and to reform the organizational structure of the Ministry of Labour. In its observations the CGTL indicates that the current legal system lacks a specific framework for labour inspection and does not provide for a central directorate or independent department within the Ministry of Labour responsible for inspection activities, which limits the Ministry’s ability to effectively fulfil its inspection-related functions.

With regard to the labour inspection reports, the Committee notes the Government’s acknowledgment that inspection visits, reporting, and related statistics are nearly non-existent due to economic constraints, including the devaluation of the national currency, which has led to a decrease in the value of wages received by labour inspectors. The Government indicates that measures are being taken to improve the financial situation of public administration employees, including labour inspectors.

The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that the there is a small number of inspectors and that vehicles assigned to the inspectorate stopped working due to the lack of budget to pay for the fuel, maintenance and insurance. The Government adds that the Ministry of Labour’s budget did not include any funds for the completion of any activities related to labour inspection.

Noting that a bill on the restructuring of the Ministry of Labour is currently under review and expressing the hope that the technical assistance requested will be provided in the near future, the Committee requests the Government to ensure that the labour inspectorate is placed under the supervision and control of a central authority. The Committee encourages the Government to continue to provide information on the status of relevant draft legislation and indicate any progress made towards the preparation of annual labour inspection reports. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to pursue its efforts to ensure that the labour inspectorate has a sufficient number of inspectors and the material resources that are necessary for the effective discharge of its duties.

Article 5(a). Effective cooperation between the inspection services and the justice system. Recalling its previous comments, the Committee takes note of the Government’s indication that effective cooperation between the labour inspection services, and the justice system is hindered by the absence of a legal framework for collaboration. The Committee also notes the Government’s request for technical assistance from the ILO to develop a suitable framework for such cooperation. While noting the information provided and expressing the hope that the technical assistance requested will be provided in the near future, the Committee encourages the Government to explore possible legislative and policy initiatives to establish a framework for cooperation between the labour inspection services and the justice system and requests the Government to provide information on any steps taken in this regard.

Article 5(b). Collaboration between the labour inspectorate and employers and workers or their organizations. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that collaboration between the labour inspectorate and employers’ and workers’ organizations remains continuous, notwithstanding the prevailing circumstances faced by the country. While welcoming the Government’s indication, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the modalities of this collaboration and its outcomes in relation to inspection activities.

Article 7(3). Continuous training for labour inspectors. The Committee notes the Government’s request for technical and logistical assistance from the ILO to enhance the training and capacity-building of the labour inspectorate. While expressing its hope that the requested assistance will be provided in the near future, the Committee encourages the Government to continue to pursue its own efforts to ensure that labour inspectors are adequately trained for the performance of their duties, and to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged in this regard.

Article 14. Notification of industrial accidents and occupational diseases. The Committee notes that, according to the national profile established with the technical support of the ILO in the context of the joint ILO-UNITAR project “Implementation of the GHS, preventing chemical accidents and strengthening occupational safety and health” 2021–22, there is yet to be a proper system for collecting data and reporting occupational accidents, diseases and fatalities. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure that the labour inspectorate is notified of industrial accidents and cases of occupational disease.

In addition, the Committee recalls the pending comment regarding the Labour Administration Convention, 1978 (No. 150), adopted by the Committee in 2022, for which the Government will be requested to reply in 2027 in accordance with the reporting cycle.