Demande directe (CEACR) - adoptée 2024, publiée 113ème session CIT (2025)

Norvège

Convention (n° 81) sur l'inspection du travail, 1947 (Ratification: 1949)
Convention (n° 129) sur l'inspection du travail (agriculture), 1969 (Ratification: 1971)

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

The Committee notes the observations of the Confederation of Unions for Professionals (Unio) on behalf of the Norwegian Nurses Organisation (NNO), communicated with the Government’s report.

Article 14 of Convention No. 81, and Article 19 of Convention No. 129. Notification of occupational accidents and diseases to the labour inspection services. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government's reference in its report to its ongoing efforts to address the issue of underreporting of occupational accidents and diseases. The Government reports that since 2021, several measures have been introduced to enhance reporting mechanisms, including hosting an inter-agency seminar in collaboration with the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) to develop an efficient electronic solution for physicians to report occupational diseases. The Government further indicates that, although progress on certain joint initiatives has been slower than anticipated, the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) has created a new reporting system through “Altinn”, a digital platform designed to facilitate dialogue between businesses, individuals, and government agencies. This platform also serves as a technical foundation for the development of other digital public services by government bodies. The Government reiterates its concerns about the ongoing underreporting of occupational injuries among self-employed workers, who are not required to report injuries unless they have voluntary occupational injury insurance, and informs that this gap is particularly pronounced in sectors such as agriculture, where self-employment is common. In addition, the Committee notes the NNO’s observation regarding a significant discrepancy between work-related injuries and diseases and what is classified as occupational injuries and diseases under Norwegian legislation. The NNO indicates that certain conditions, such as repetitive strain injuries leading to work incapacity and violence-related injuries among healthcare personnel, are not officially recognized as occupational injuries in Norway. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to address the underreporting of cases of occupational accidents and diseases, especially in sectors occupying self-employed workers, such as agriculture. It also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the implementation of the new NAV system for submitting cases of occupational injury and occupational diseases.

Articles 20 and 21 of Convention No. 81, and Articles 26 and 27 of Convention No. 129. Annual reports on labour inspection, particularly concerning coverage of the agricultural sector. The Committee notes the statistics provided by the Government concerning the agricultural sector, indicating the number of inspectors, the number of agricultural undertakings liable to inspection and the number of persons working therein, the statistics of inspection visits and violations and penalties imposed, and the statistics of occupational accidents. It also notes the overall number of occupational diseases systematized by the NAV. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the agriculture industry, and to ensure that the information required on each of the subjects listed in Article 21 of Convention No. 81 and Article 27 of Convention No. 129 is reflected in the labour inspection reports.