Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Malta

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) (Ratification: 1965)
Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129) (Ratification: 1988)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the 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.

Articles 6, 10 and 16 of the Convention No. 81 and Articles 8, 14 and 21 of Convention No. 129. Numbers of labour inspectors and inspection visits. Conditions of employment. The Committee notes that in reply to its previous request concerning the decrease in the number of inspections, the Government indicates that the Department of Industrial Relations and Employment (DIER) carried out 1,022 inspections in 2019, 854 during 2020 and 1,107 between January and July 2021. The Committee also notes that with regard to its previous request concerning the condition of service of labour inspectors, the Government indicates that these conditions recently changed in order to retain staff by providing more opportunities for advancements. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there are currently ten inspectors and two overseeing managers within the DIER. The Committee notes that the staff composition of the DIER is the same as in 2019. The Committee also notes that according to the Government report, the inspectors of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) decreased from 14 to 12 from 2020 to 2021. The Committee requests the Government to provide details of the changes that have occurred in the conditions of service of labour inspectors and to indicate how such changes may serve to attract and retain a sufficient number of motivated staff. In this regard, the Committee requests comparative information on the remuneration scale and opportunities for advancement of labour inspectors in relation to other categories of government employees exercising similar functions, such as tax inspectors or police officers. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the reasons for the decrease in staff in the OHSA. In addition, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of labour inspectors working at the DIER and at the OHSA, as well as the number of inspections undertaken by these entities.

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