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Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Sudan (RATIFICATION: 1970)

The Committee notes the Government’s report received in November 2005 in reply to its previous comments and the information on recent institutional developments in general and the labour administration in particular.

1. Institutional and legislative reform. The Committee notes the conclusion of a global peace accord in January 2005, the adoption of a provisional Constitution and the establishment of a Government of national unity. It notes with interest that an in-depth revision is envisaged in this context of the structures of public services, including the labour inspectorate, and of the texts governing their operation, including the status of inspectors, with a view to increasing their motivation for the discharge of their functions. The Committee also notes with interest the establishment of a Federal Labour Statistics and Information Centre for the compilation and publication of regular reports, including a report on labour inspection. Further noting that it is planned to introduce relevant amendments in the Labour Code, the Committee remains attentive in relation to current developments and requests the Government to provide information on any institutional and legislative progress achieved in relation to the establishment and implementation of a system of labour inspection that is in conformity with the provisions of the Convention.

2. Strengthening of decentralized structures. The Committee notes with interest the announcement by the Government of the reinforcement in the near future of the human and material resources of existing labour offices and the establishment, in the south of the country and in other regions affected by the civil war, of labour offices with the necessary personnel and equipment to discharge their functions. The Government is requested to provide information on the progress achieved in relation to this project and to supply in future reports an updated list of the regional and local labour inspection structures in labour offices, as well as information on their means of action.

3. Child labour. Noting that a request for technical assistance was made to ILO/IPEC in 2004 with a view to the preparation of a full study on child labour and the organization of training workshops for the labour inspectors concerned, the Committee awaits information on the action taken as a result, when the conditions so permit. It would be grateful if the Government would keep the ILO informed of any new measures adopted for this purpose, and the results achieved.

4. The Committee also notes the indication of an urgent need for technical and logistical assistance expressed by the service responsible for work by women and children in the Ministry of Labour, with a view to the extension of its activities to regional and local labour offices. The Committee hopes that measures will be taken rapidly by the Government to seek the necessary resources for the provision of the required assistance in the context of international cooperation, where necessary with the technical support of the ILO. It requests the Government to provide information on any progress achieved in this respect, and on any difficulties encountered.