Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129) - Malawi (Ratification: 1971)

Referring also to its observation under Convention No. 81, the Committee takes note of the Government’s report and the information provided with respect to Articles 6(1), 14, 15, 16 and 27 of the Convention.

Article 9 of the Convention. The Committee takes note of the information relating to recruitment and training of labour inspectors and the ongoing ILO/IPEC programmes. Recalling that, pursuant to Article 9, paragraph 3, labour inspectors should be adequately trained for the performance of their duties, it asks the Government to provide information on measures taken to train inspectors for the performance of their tasks in the agricultural sector. Referring to its observations related to Convention No. 182 and the Government’s report 2004 concerning Convention No. 182, the Committee notes with interest the further progress made in implementing the programmes on combating child labour and would be grateful if the Government would indicate the manner in which labour inspectors in agriculture are involved therein. In this regard, the Committee notes in the inspection report 2000-02, that 78 per cent of the working population consist in subsistence farmers.

Moreover, the Committee observes the decreasing number of occupational accidents in agriculture, from 470 in 2000 to 168 in 2002 as opposed to the increasing number of reported accidents in general. It would be grateful if the Government would explain how such development could have been attained.

The Committee would be grateful if the Government would also keep the ILO informed of the progress as concerns the draft law process relating to leasehold in agriculture submitted to the ILO.

Articles 26 and 27. With reference to its observation under Convention No. 81, the Committee encourages the Government to take into consideration in its next labour inspection annual report further requirements of Article 27, with particular focus on agriculture.