Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Solomon Islands (Ratification: 1985)

Further to its observation, the Committee would like to raise the following points.

Articles 10, 11 and 16 of the Convention. Number of inspectors and inspections, and material means at the disposal of inspectors. The Committee recalls that in 2006, the Government reported that the budget of the labour inspectorate and its human resources had been increased. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide current information on the number of labour inspectors and inspections carried out each year in relation to the number of workplaces, and the material means placed at the disposal of labour inspectors, including suitably equipped offices and transport facilities.

Article 14. Notification of industrial accidents and cases of occupational disease. The Committee notes the text of Order No. LN 74/96, The Workmen’s Compensation Act, and the accompanying Workmen’s Compensation (Accident and Occupational Disease Return) Regulations, provided in the Government’s report. This Order revokes Order No. LN137/91, of which the Committee had previously requested a copy. The Committee also notes the Holidays, Sick Leave and Passage Rules (regarding illness cover), Order No. LN19/1982. The Committee notes that according to section 31 of the Workmen’s Compensation (Accident and Occupational Disease Return) Regulations, the employer has a duty to inform the Commissioner of Labour of any accident or disease causing death or injury within seven days of the incident. The Committee notes that a seven-day notice period may prevent a timely investigation of incidents by labour inspectors and recalls that the ILO code of practice on recording and notification of industrial accidents and cases of occupational disease, recommends that occupational accidents causing loss of life should be notified immediately. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any steps taken or envisaged to ensure the timely notification and investigation of industrial accidents and cases of occupational disease. Please also describe the role of labour inspectors in the context of the investigations, as well as any preventive measures taken or envisaged so as to minimize risks of industrial accidents and cases of occupational disease. The Committee would also appreciate if the Government would specify the penalties envisaged in law and effectively enforced for failure to give notice of occupational accidents and cases of occupational disease.

Articles 19, 20 and 21. Annual labour inspection reports. The Committee notes the limited statistics provided regarding industrial accidents as of 2009. It also notes however, that once again, an annual labour inspection report has not been received at the ILO. With reference to its general observation of 2010, the Committee recalls that when well prepared, the annual reports offer an indispensable basis for the evaluation of the results in practice of the activities of the labour inspection services and, subsequently, the determination of the means necessary to improve their effectiveness. The Committee once again urges the Government to take all necessary measures for the elaboration and publication by the Central Labour Inspection Authority of an annual report containing all the information required under Article 21 of the Convention and to keep the Office informed of all progress made in this regard. It reminds the Government that it may avail itself of ILO technical assistance in this respect if it so wishes.