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

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - French Polynesia

Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government's indication that individual labour dispute settlement, monitoring and proposing the necessary changes in regulations account for a large part of the labour inspectorate's activities, to the detriment of their general duties to enforce labour regulations. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to remedy this problem.

Article 6. The Committee notes the Government's indication that most labour inspectors are subject to the rules of private labour contract law. As the Committee pointed out in its 1985 General Survey, the preparatory work on the Convention shows that the status of public servants was given to inspectorate personnel because it seemed the most appropriate to ensuring that they have the necessary independence and impartiality to carry out their duties. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to give effect to this Article.

Articles 7 and 11. The Committee notes that the Government's report contains no information on its previous comments on these Articles. It again asks the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to remedy the difficulties in the training of inspectors and funding, which affect the proper running of the service.

Article 9. The Committee notes the Government's indication that the association of technical experts and specialists with the inspectorate provided for in this Article does not exist. It asks the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken or envisaged to give effect to this Article, stating the extent to which the personnel responsible for inspection visits includes duly qualified technical experts and specialists in the specializations referred to in this Article or related specializations.

Articles 3, 10, 11 and 16. Referring to its observation on the Convention, the Committee notes the Government's indication in its report to the effect that the number of labour inspectors and the material means available to them are inadequate, and that the inspection of remote workplaces cannot be properly conducted owing to a lack of funds for transport. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that establishments are inspected as often and as thoroughly as is necessary to ensure the application of the relevant legal provisions.

Articles 20 and 21. The Committee notes that the Government's report contains no information in reply to its previous comments. It also notes that the Government has not sent an annual report on labour inspectorate activities for the period in question. It reminds the Government of the utmost importance of publishing annual inspection reports and transmitting them to the Office within the prescribed time-limit. It hopes that in future the Government will transmit these reports to the ILO within the time-limits prescribed by Article 20, and that they will contain all the information required by Article 21.