Solicitud directa (CEACR) - Adopción: 2025, Publicación: 114ª reunión CIT (2026)

Bélgica

Convenio sobre la inspección del trabajo, 1947 (núm. 81) (Ratificación : 1957)
Convenio sobre la inspección del trabajo (agricultura), 1969 (núm. 129) (Ratificación : 1997)
Convenio sobre la administración del trabajo, 1978 (núm. 150) (Ratificación : 2011)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of ratified Conventions on labour inspection, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 81 (labour inspection), 129 (labour inspection in agriculture) and 150 (labour administration) together.

The Committee notes the observations of the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (CSC), the General Confederation of Liberal Trade Unions of Belgium (CGSLB) and the General Labour Federation of Belgium (FGTB) on Conventions Nos 81 and 129, received on 23 September 2025, as well as the response of the Government, received on 24 November 2025.

Labour inspection

Article 3(1) and (2) of Convention No. 81 and Article 6(1) and (2) of Convention No. 129. Measures taken with regard to workers in an irregular situation. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the indication in the Government’s report that the coordinating role of the Social Information and Research Service involves close collaboration between the various inspection services, particularly with a view to protecting the fundamental rights of all workers, including those in an irregular situation. It also notes the Government’s indications regarding the training provided to inspectors and the various actions taken by inspectors in the event of violations of migrant workers’ rights. Moreover, the Committee takes due note of the Government’s indications that the labour inspection services, including the Directorate-General for Labour Legislation Enforcement (DG-CLS), work closely with the Federal Public Service for Justice and specialized non-governmental organizations to inform migrant workers of their rights and refer them to the relevant services with a view to regularizing their situation. The Committee takes note of this information, which addresses its previous request.

Articles 3(1)(a), 10, 13 and 16 of Convention No. 81 and Articles 6(1)(a), 14, 18 and 21 of Convention No. 129. Labour inspection staff. Adequate frequency and thoroughness of inspection visits. Further to its previous comments on strengthening labour inspection, the Committee takes due note of the Government’s indication that the number of labour inspectors at the Directorate-General for the Monitoring of Occupational Welfare (DG-CBE) increased from 165 in 2022 to 203 in 2025. The Committee also notes that the Government refers to the recruitment of 33 labour inspectors in 2022 and 7 labour inspectors in 2023 for the DG-CLS labour inspectorate. With regard to cooperation between the central and regional directorates of the inspection service, the Government indicates that this cooperation is ensured through a management plan, a single, simplified chain of command and various support services. Nevertheless, the Committee notes the observations of the CSC, CGSLB, and the FGTB which consider that the number of number of labour inspectors is insufficient to compensate for departures, and that it is primordial for the Government to commit firmly to reinforcing the capacity of inspection services. In this regard, the Committee notes the response of the Government, according to which a pluriannual inspection plan has been elaborated precisely to allow the labour inspection services to accomplish their missions in the most efficient and effective way possible, and the number of investigations planned under each component of the programme is determined according to inspection capacity. The Government also indicates that this plan has been submitted to social partners in the National Labour Council and the Higher Council for Health and Safety at Work for their opinion. Noting this information, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of labour inspectors assigned to the DG-CLS and the DG-CBE, and on any new recruitment of labour inspectors.

Articles 20 and 21 of Convention No. 81 and Articles 26 and 27 of Convention No. 129. Preparation, publication and transmission of the annual report. Further to its previous comments, the Committee takes note of the statistics provided by the Government. Nevertheless, it notes that the last annual report of the DG-CLS is still from 2018. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the DG-CLS is committed to transmitting the latest outstanding annual reports by the end of 2025. The Committee hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures to ensure that the annual inspection reports are drafted and published in accordance with Article 20 of Convention No. 81 and Article 26 of Convention No. 129. It also requests the Government to ensure that they contain information on each of the subjects specified in Article 21 (a)–(g) of Convention No. 81 and Article 27 of Convention No. 129.

Labour administration

Article 10 of Convention No. 150. Pay conditions and training of labour administration staff. Further to its previous comments regarding the conditions of service of labour administration staff, the Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government in its various reports concerning the schemes applicable to labour administration staff in each region. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the measures taken to ensure the independence of contract employees from any improper external influences, as required by Article 10(1).