Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Argentina (Ratification: 1955)

1. The Committee notes Decree No. 772/96 of 15 July 1996 which assigns to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security the functions of supervision and central authority for labour inspection throughout the national territory (section 1). It notes that in exercise of these functions, the ministry shall ensure that the various inspection services in the country comply with the standards governing them and, particularly, with the requirements of Conventions Nos. 81 and 129, and shall exercise the other functions assigned to the central authority by the Conventions (section 1(a) and (b)).

The Committee recalls that in its previous commentaries it noted that it had not received an annual report on the activities of the inspection services since 1984 and expressed the hope that such a report would be transmitted to the ILO within the time-limit set by Article 20 and that it would contain all the information required by Article 21.

The Committee hopes that the new structure will make it possible to progress in the application of the Convention in general and of Articles 20 and 21 in particular. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed in this respect.

2. The Committee notes the observations made by the Union of United Maritime Workers (SOMU) of 2 November 1995 and 31 May 1996 relating to communications received previously from the same organization to which the Committee had referred and which concern the non-compliance with certain legal provisions relating to conditions of work and the protection of workers. The Committee requests the Government to make its comments on the allegations, taking into account that the labour inspectors shall secure the enforcement of such provisions as often and as thoroughly as is necessary to ensure the effective application of the relevant legal provisions (Articles 3, paragraphs 1(a) and 16).