Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Norway (Ratification: 1949)

The Committee notes the observations submitted by the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), enclosed in the Government’s report received on 29 August 2014 and also in a separate communication received on 8 September 2014.

The Committee notes the Government’s indications concerning the efforts made to strengthen and improve collaboration between the labour inspectorate and the social partners, including a relevant joint strategy for 2013–16, the realization of discussions on a variety of questions in the framework of different forums (in particular the Labour Inspection Council and the regional councils), as well as the joint development of specific measures to face particular challenges in four sectors (Article 5(a) of the Convention); the policy in relation to unannounced labour inspection visits, including in the health-care sector (Article 12(a)); and the implementation of an electronic management system for labour inspection data (Articles 20 and 21).

Article 14 of the Convention. Notification of industrial accidents and cases of occupational disease to the labour inspectorate. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indications on the under-reporting of cases of occupational disease to the labour inspectorate, and requested that the Government provide information on any relevant remedial measures taken or envisaged. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s indications that in order to improve the reporting of occupational diseases, the labour inspectorate initiated a pilot trial for the electronic reporting of occupational diseases, and raised awareness among medical practitioners about their relevant legal obligations, in cooperation with the Norwegian medical association. The Committee also notes the indications made by the LO, according to which there has been little improvement in the notification of occupational diseases since the Government’s last report in 2011, and the labour inspectorate has recently announced that only 2 per cent of the medical practitioners report work-related accidents. The LO also points to the absence of information concerning the time frame for the implementation of the new electronic system for the recording of occupational diseases, and the absence of information on its intended users (only medical practitioners, or also employers).

Concerning occupational accidents, the Committee understands that the labour inspectorate no longer disposes of a relevant registry, but that Statistics Norway is the authority now responsible for collecting data on industrial accidents. The Committee notes that no information was provided by the Government on the developments concerning the electronic portal “HealthNet”, which the Government previously indicated would enhance the reporting of industrial accidents.

Finally, the Committee notes that the LO indicates that no information was provided by the Government on the level of compliance by employers with their reporting obligations concerning occupational accidents and diseases. The Committee asks that the Government describe the current mechanism in practice for the notification of industrial accidents and cases of occupational disease to the labour inspectorate (including through other institutions such as Statistics Norway), and to continue to provide information on the measures taken for its improvement. Please also provide information on the activities of the labour inspectorate to ensure that the legal reporting obligations concerning occupational accidents and diseases are complied with.