Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Nigeria (Ratification: 1960)

Articles 4, 10, 11 and 16 of the Convention. Organization and effective functioning of the labour inspection services, including the allocation of adequate human resources and material means. The Committee notes the discussion on the application of the Convention that took place at the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) of the International Labour Conference (98th Session, June 2009). The conclusions of the CAS indicated that despite the efforts undertaken by the Government, labour inspection still faced a lack of human and material resources in view of the number of establishments to inspect and the number of workers concerned. In this respect, the CAS recalled the obligation to ensure a sufficient number of inspectors so as to extend the protection of labour inspection to the largest number of workers, and requested information on the measures taken in this regard.

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report, in response to the CAS conclusions, on the distribution of labour inspectors across states, indicating that there were 287 labour inspectors and 61 factory inspectors. The Government indicates in its report that it operates a central labour system which makes it mandatory to establish labour offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The state labour offices, which provide advisory services to state governments and conduct inspections in workplaces, are moderately furnished and equipped for the purpose of labour inspection. Moreover, the Government states that transport facilities are available to enable labour inspectors to perform their duties. Where public transport facilities do not exist, labour inspectors are reimbursed for any travel expenses incurred. The Government indicates that in order to ensure that labour inspections are undertaken at an adequate frequency, it carries out routine inspections, comprehensive inspections, follow-up visits, integrated inspections and emergency visits. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that the difficulties encountered in the application of the Convention are insufficient manpower, language barriers, inadequate training for labour inspectors, lack of funds and lack of vehicles. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the specific measures it is taking to address the difficulties it has identified with respect to the application of the Convention. In this regard, the Committee requests the Government to take measures to secure the effective functioning of an inspection system that has a sufficient number of labour inspectors to ensure that workplaces are inspected as often as is necessary for the effective application of the relevant legal provisions (Articles 10 and 16). It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that labour inspectors are provided with the material resources (including transport facilities) necessary to enable them to effectively carry out their duties (Article 11).

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.