Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129) - Malta (Ratification: 1988)

The Committee notes the Government’s brief report which refers to its report relating to Convention No. 81.

Articles 26 and 27 of the Convention. Annual labour inspection report. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that the statistics contained in the annual inspection report have been presented by sector since January 2003. The Committee notes this information with interest. It notes that the statistical tables provided for 2005 relate to inspections targeting the legislation on the payment of wages, overtime and holiday pay, as well as infringements reported and cases dealt with. Of a total of 2,736 inspections carried out in all the sectors covered, 15 were in the agricultural and related industries. Two cases of infringements were identified and settled. This information, which appears to show a very low proportion of inspection activities in the agricultural sector, is in any case too incomplete to enable the Committee to assess the extent to which the Convention is applied and the functioning of the inspection system in agriculture. The Government’s attention is once again drawn in this regard to Article 27 of the Convention relating to the information which should be included in the annual report to ensure that it is an accurate reflection of the work of the inspection system as a basis for assessing the effectiveness of the system and determining measures to improve it. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would ensure that full effect is given to this provision and that the annual report on inspection in agricultural undertakings (or the relevant part of the annual general inspection report) finally contains information on each of the subjects covered by Article 27(a) to (g). Reminding the Government also that, in accordance with Article 26, this report should be published and communicated to the ILO, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would also takes measures to that end and keep the Office informed of any progress made in this regard.

Labour inspection and child labour in the agricultural sector. Referring also to its comments under Convention No. 81 on inspection to monitor child labour, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide the information required separately with respect to these activities in agricultural undertakings.