Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Paraguay (Ratification: 1967)

The Committee takes note of the Government's report received by the Office on 8 November 1999. It also notes the observations by the Latin-American Confederation of Labour Inspectors of June 1999 alleging in particular the inadequacy of the number of inspectors and of inspection visits which are conducted mainly following complaints and not following a pre-established programme, as well as the absence of means of transport and non-reimbursement of expenses.

The Committee notes that, according to the statistics transmitted by the Government, the number of inspectors (73) and visits (1,005) in 1998 is insufficient if compared to the number of undertakings (30,000) that should be visited. These statistics show that each inspector carried out an average of 1.15 inspection monthly, that is a decrease of about 30 per cent in relation to 1996. The Government acknowledges that inspection services lack means of transport but that certain expenses are reimbursed.

The Committee takes note with interest of the Manual on Labour Inspectorate, approved by resolution No. 159 of 30 April 1998, relating in particular to the functions and powers of inspectors and to the inspection procedures; its annex reflects the text of the ILO Conventions on labour inspectorate, as well as the essential national relevant provisions. It also notes a document of September 1999 sent by the Government on the preparation of programmed visits. Noting however that the Latin-American Confederation of Labour Inspectors refers to the absence of a manual or guide for inspectors, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the measures contemplated to propagate the abovementioned manual among the inspectors.

The Committee hopes that the various initiatives taken by the Government will contribute to improve the activities of the Labour Inspectorate and that it will take the necessary measures to make available to the Inspectorate the resources needed to increase the number of inspectors and the frequency of inspection visits, including programmed visits. It requests the Government to provide information on progress made.

The Committee is also addressing a request directly to the Government on a number of other points.