Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Uganda (Ratification: 1963)

The Committee notes with deep concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments. The Committee informs the Government that, if it has not supplied replies to the points raised by 1 September 2022, then it may proceed with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information at its disposal at its next session.

Repetition

Article 4 of the Convention. Supervision and control by a central authority. In its previous comments, the Committee had requested the Government to pursue its efforts in placing again the labour inspection system under the supervision and control of a central authority, following its decentralization in 1995. In this respect, the Committee recalls the reiterated discussion of the case by the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) of the International Labour Conference (in 2001, 2003 and 2008) and the conclusions of the CAS emphasizing the need for the inspection system to be under the responsibility of a central authority. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) plays a supervisory role, although the system of labour inspection is decentralized. The Government indicates that the MGLSD has started a process to amend the legislation and to place the inspection system under a central authority. The Committee urges the Government to pursue its efforts to place the labour inspection system under a central authority with a view to ensuring coherence in the functioning of the labour inspection system and to provide information on the steps taken in that regard, including a copy of any legislation adopted.

Articles 10, 11 and 16. Resources of the labour inspection system and inspection visits. In its previous comments, the Committee had requested the Government to pursue its efforts to ensure that human and financial resources are allocated to labour inspection. The Committee notes that the Government indicates that the MGLSD has continued to ensure that human and material resources are allocated to labour inspection and that additional vehicles have been provided to the Department of Labour. However, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that inadequate funding continues to represent a challenge. In addition, the Committee notes the 2016 report on the audit undertaken by the auditor general of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) of the MGLSD on OSH enforcement activities. The report finds that: (a) out of an estimated 1 million workplaces in the country, only 476 were inspected between 2013 and 2015 (212 in 2012–13, 125 in 2013–14, and 139 in 2014–15, based on departmental annual performance reports); (b) the MGLSD procured analytical and clinical laboratory equipment, but the OSH Department has not fully trained inspectors on the use of the equipment; and (c) enforcement of the OSH legislation has not been effective due to limited personnel and logistics. With respect to personnel issues, the Committee notes that the report indicates that out of 48 approved staff positions, only 22 are currently filled. The Committee notes with concern the limited human and material resources allocated to labour inspection and urges the Government to take steps to ensure that there are a sufficient number of labour inspectors provided with adequate resources, including through the filling of vacant positions, in conformity with Articles 10 and 11 of the Convention, in order to ensure that workplaces are inspected as often as is necessary for the effective application of the relevant legal provisions, as required by Article 16 of the Convention.

Articles 20 and 21. Publication and communication of an annual report on labour inspection. In its previous comments, the Committee had noted the Government’s commitment to publish and submit to the ILO an annual inspection report on the work of the labour inspection services, pursuant to section 20 of the Employment Act 2006. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that a draft annual report has been compiled. However, it notes with concern that no report has been published or submitted to the ILO. The Committee once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that annual reports on labour inspection are published and communicated regularly to the ILO within the time limits set out in Article 20 and that they contain the information required by Article 21(a)–(g).

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

The Committee expects that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.