Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

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

The Committee notes with interest that a report was received from the Government for the first time in ten years and that it contains replies to the comments the Committee has been making for a long time.

1. Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes that sections 15 and 16 of Decree No. 8352 of 30 December 1961 provide for the main functions of the labour inspectors. Please indicate if they are also required by law to bring to the notice of the competent authority defects or abuses not specifically covered by existing legal provisions. Article 3, paragraph 2. Please indicate how it is ensured that further duties entrusted to labour inspectors to work to improve relations between employers and workers do not interfere with the effective discharge of their primary duties or prejudice their authority and impartiality.

2. Article 10. The Committee notes the information regarding the breakdown and number of labour inspectors and the Government's acknowledgement of their insufficiency to carry out their functions properly. It notes with interest the information that the reorganization plans for the Ministry of Labour provide for the development of the work of the inspectorate and the growth of its staff as well as the creation of technical posts such as chemical and industrial engineers in addition to existing ones such as medical and labour engineer inspectors. The Committee understands that the Government has requested technical assistance from the Office in organizing a training seminar for newly engaged staff (labour administrators and inspectors). It hopes such technical cooperation will result in the improvement of the situation. Please provide indications on developments in this respect.

3. Article 12. The Committee notes that, other than Decree No. 14900 of 2 May 1949, there are no provisions empowering labour inspectors with proper credentials to carry out acts and measures enumerated in this Article. It hopes the technical assistance requested from the Office in undertaking the revision of the Labour Code recommended by the multidisciplinary mission that visited the country in February to March 1993 will include drafting of provisions that will implement this Article.

4. Article 13, paragraphs 2(b) and 3. The Committee notes the absence of legislative provisions establishing the powers of labour inspectors to make or to have made orders requiring measures with immediate executory force in the event of imminent danger to the health or safety of the workers. It hopes the planned revision of the Labour Code to be undertaken with the Office's technical assistance will result in the full implementation of this Article.

5. Article 15(a) and (b). The Committee notes the information that section 15 of Decree Law No. 112 of July 1959 prohibits civil servants from having a direct or indirect material interest in the enterprises inspected by them or the departments they work for. Please provide the text of the said Law as well as the text of the provision that requires the strict confidentiality of the source of complaints.

6. Articles 20 and 21. The Committee notes with interest the information that the inspection service started again to function and that the Government hoped a report containing the statistical information required by the Convention would be prepared and published at the end of 1993. Please give full details.