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

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Jordan (Ratification: 1969)

Reforms affecting the labour inspection system. Legislation. The Committee notes the Government’s statement in its report regarding the necessity to amend occupational safety and health (OSH) regulations, particularly in light of continuous industrial developments and changes in the labour market. The Government indicates in this regard that the Ministry of Labour is in the process of formulating and adopting OSH regulations and instructions. According to information from the ILO Decent Work Team for Arab States, other amendment processes are also ongoing. In addition, the Committee notes that, as envisaged under the Decent Work Country Programme 2018–22 for Jordan (DWCP 2018–22), the Government is receiving technical assistance from the Office, to move from a typical enforcement model to a strategic compliance model that is proactive and evidence-based. The Committee requests the Government to provide further detailed information on the progress and impact of any reforms affecting the functioning of the labour inspection system, including on any piece of legislation adopted in this context. The Committee also requests the Government to provide up-to-date information on the legislative framework governing the functioning of the labour inspectorate and the powers of labour inspectors, and to provide a copy of the applicable legislation once reforms have been completed.

Articles 7, 10 and 11 of the Convention. Training for labour inspectors and human and material resources of the labour inspectorate. The Committee previously requested information on the training provided to labour inspectors. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that measures taken to encourage labour inspection include aligning the skills of labour inspectors with the realities of the labour market, and holding local and regional training courses. In this respect, the Committee notes that, in 2020, 107 labour inspectors underwent training sessions conducted by Better Work Jordan on a range of topics. In addition, the Committee notes that a number of labour inspectors underwent training on the ILO approach to strategic compliance model planning in 2018. In response to the Committee’s comments on the material resources and transport facilities available to inspectors, the Government also indicates that an online inspection system has been set up, and that every inspector has an office with computer access, as well as means of transportation to the inspection sites. The Committee observes that, according to the DWCP 2018–22 for Jordan, the overall number of labour and OSH inspectors decreased from 256 in 2016 to just over 200 in 2018. The Government, for its part, indicates that in 2017 the overall number of labour and OSH inspectors was 199, and states that the key to enhancing inspection is through significantly increasing the number of inspectors. The Committee encourages the Government to pursue its efforts towards strategic planning and ensuring that the labour inspectorate has the human resources necessary for the effective performance of its duties. It requests the Government to provide information on the specific measures taken for the recruitment of new labour inspectors, and to continue to provide detailed information on the material resources provided to labour inspectors.

Articles 20 and 21. Annual labour inspection reports. The Committee notes that the annual report on the activities of the labour inspectorate has not been communicated. The Committee encourages the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that annual labour inspection reports are published and transmitted to the ILO, in accordance with Articles 20 and 21 of the Convention.