Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) (Ratification: 1998)
Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129) (Ratification: 2010)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of issues relating to the application of ratified Conventions on labour inspection, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 81 (labour inspection) and 129 (labour inspection in agriculture) together.

Article 11 of Convention No. 81 and Article 15 of Convention No. 129. Transportation facilities. Following its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that every labour officer receives a travel allowance, which is payable only if the officer is also the registered owner of the vehicle used. In this regard, the Committee takes note of the Schedule of Traveling Allowance, the Mileage Claim Form and the Certificate for Transport Allowance transmitted by the Government with its report. Noting an absence of information in reply to its previous request, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the number of vehicles at the disposal of the labour inspectorate for the conduct of inspection visits.

Article 14 of Convention No. 81 and Article 19 of Convention No. 129. Notification of occupational accidents and cases of occupational disease. The Committee previously noted that the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, once adopted, would give effect to Article 14 of Convention No. 81 by providing for the notification of the labour inspectorate of industrial accidents and cases of occupational diseases.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, 2017 has been passed by the Parliament but remains unenforced since it has not yet been proclaimed. The Committee requests the Government to pursue its efforts to ensure the notification of the labour inspectorate of occupational accidents and cases of occupational diseases, and to provide a copy of the OSH Act, once proclaimed.

Articles 20 and 21 of Convention No. 81 and Articles 26 and 27 of Convention No. 129. Annual report on the work of the labour inspection services. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that technical assistance was provided by the Office for the implementation of the Labour Market Information System (LMIS), which contains statistics on labour inspection and was intended to be used to record and generate reports on labour inspections. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it is still not in a position to publish the annual labour inspection reports as was envisaged through the establishment of the LMIS, which remains functional at best. The Committee notes that the shortage of human resources at the Department of Labour creates a significant challenge for the Government to regularly and accurately enter data into the system. Taking note of the difficulties identified by the Government, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures it is taking to address these difficulties. It requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to ensure the establishment and publication of an annual report on the work of the inspection services, in conformity with Article 20 of Convention No. 81 and Article 26 of Convention No. 129, containing the information on all the matters listed under Article 21 of Convention No. 81 and Article 27 of Convention No. 129.