Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

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

Also referring to its observation, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to the following points.

Article 6(2) of the Convention. Prerogatives for labour inspectors regarding the living conditions of agricultural workers and their families. Further to its previous comments on this point, in the absence of concrete information, the Committee once again requests the Government to report on the progress made in extending the advisory or enforcement functions of labour inspectors in agriculture regarding the living conditions of agricultural workers and their families, in accordance with this Article of the Convention.

Articles 9(3) and Article 11. Training for labour inspectors in specific aspects of agricultural work and association of qualified technical experts. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that although it maintains its intention to include a course on labour inspection in agriculture in the training programme of the National School of Administration (ENAM) for labour inspectors, the preparation is suspended due to the political crisis in the country. It also notes the absence of the requested information on measures taken or envisaged to ensure the association of qualified technical experts to help solve problems demanding specific knowledge. The Committee stresses once again the need, according to Article 9(3), of specific training of labour inspectors aimed at enabling them to perform their duties in the agricultural enterprises and requests the Government to take appropriate steps to this end and to keep the Office informed of any progress made.

The Committee is also bound to once again request the Government to indicate any measures taken to associate qualified technical experts on agriculture in labour inspection activities in this sector, or to keep the ILO informed of any difficulty encountered in this regard.

Article 15. Resources needed for labour inspection in agriculture. In the absence of a reply on this point, the Committee repeats its previous request to provide information on the progress made in reinforcing the material resources necessary for labour inspection in agriculture, particularly transport facilities.

Articles 25–27. Periodic and annual reports on the activities of labour inspectors. The Committee notes a copy of the inspection report form which includes a dedicated section on inspection in agriculture. It also notes the limited statistical information provided by the Government concerning workplaces liable to inspection, inspection visits, violations and penalties imposed, industrial accidents and occupational diseases. However, the Committee observes that such information does not provide a coherent picture of the results of labour inspection activities, which should be done through the annual report as described in Articles 26 and 27. The Committee therefore asks the Government to take the necessary steps aimed at ensuring the systematic collection by the central labour inspection authority of all relevant information requested by Article 27 on the labour inspection in agriculture and the publication of an annual report. The Committee draws the Government’s attention to the guidance provided in Part IV of Recommendation No. 81 on labour inspection, 1947, as to the manner in which such information could be disaggregated to provide a comprehensive reflection of the work of the labour inspection system, its strengths and gaps.

Labour inspection and child labour. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the situation of child labour in the country and the efforts deployed to combat the phenomena. The Committee would appreciate receiving information on measures taken or envisaged to establish and implement effective cooperation with labour inspectors in the framework of the action against child labour, making use of, for example, their local presence which would help reach more children in remote areas.