Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Rwanda (Ratification: 1980)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report and the replies to its previous observations, which indicate that the labour inspection services are unable to carry out their allotted tasks. The inadequacy of human resources, in terms both of numbers and training, the lack of funds, and the impossibility of providing the inspectors with the mobility they need to monitor the implementation of legislation at workplaces, are all obstacles to the application of the Convention. In addition, the Government has announced the forthcoming decentralization of the labour inspection services, which are to be placed under the authority of the district prefects. In the Committee’s view, it is important to ensure that labour inspection is organized and operates under the supervision and control of a central authority (Article 4 of the Convention). The human and material resources required should be shared out among the different services on the basis of identical criteria throughout the country, so as to provide the same level of protection for all workers covered by the Convention (Article 10). The status and conditions of service of the inspection staff should be such that they are assured of the stability and independence they require to carry out their numerous and complex duties (Article 6), and they should be recruited with sole regard to their qualifications (Article 7). The decentralization of the labour inspection structures, linked to a decentralization of resources under the management of the prefects in their respective districts, without the control and supervision of a central authority, is not conducive to the establishment and operation of an inspection system consistent with the principles set out in the Convention.

Noting that the Government has requested technical assistance from the ILO with a view to applying the Convention, and that an assessment of requirements regarding training for labour administration staff was carried out by the International Training Centre in Turin in 2000, the Committee notes that the funding needed for activities is nevertheless not available. The Committee hopes that the steps taken by the Government to find donors will soon be successfully concluded, and that it will be possible to begin the process of establishing a labour inspection system consistent with the provisions of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on any progress made in this regard.