Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Ecuador (Ratification: 1975)

Articles 6, 10 and 16 of the Convention. Status and conditions of service of labour inspectors. Inspection staff and coverage of inspection needs. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes with concern that the Government indicates in its report that, due to strict austerity measures, which limit the holding of public recruitment competitions, none of the new labour inspectors appointed in 2018 were appointed on a permanent basis (28 inspectors with provisional appointments and three under the regime of contracts for occasional services). The Committee also notes that the Government indicates that all labour inspectors have the same powers regardless of their employment status. In this regard, the Committee recalls once again that, under Article 6 of the Convention, inspection staff shall be composed of public officials whose status and conditions of service are such that they are assured of stability of employment and are independent of changes of government and of improper external influences. Furthermore, the Committee takes note that the Government indicates that, from 2017 to 2018, the number of inspectors decreased by 22.5 per cent. The Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that Article 6 of the Convention is applied in practice. The Committee also requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the number of labour inspectors is sufficient for the effective performance of their duties by providing updated statistical information on the number of inspectors and workplaces liable to inspection and the number of workers employed therein. Finally, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the reason for the considerable decrease in the number of inspectors.

Articles 19, 20 and 21. Periodic reports and the preparation, publication and transmission of an annual report on the work of the inspection services. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes with regret that the Office has not received an annual report on the work of the labour inspection services. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Regional Labour Directorates annually prepare periodic reports on the activities carried out by their units, including information on the inspections undertaken, and that the possibility of preparing specialized reports on the subject of inspections will be considered. The Committee requests the Government to make every effort to ensure that the central authority on labour inspection publishes and transmits to the ILO an annual report on the work of the inspection services containing all the information required under Article 21(a)–(g) of the Convention.

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