Inkrimping Arbeidsinspectie in strijd met ILO Verdrag 81

The Dutch Labour Inspectorate, that is allotted with the task of supervising the Dutch Working Conditions Legislation, is one of the public bodies currently envisaged by the Dutch government for a reduction in staff. Also, the Inspectorate is being amalgamated with two other supervising bodies under the responsibility of the minister of Social Affairs. This article analyses whether these developments are in line with international labour law (notably ILO convention 81, the Labour Inspection Convention 1947). It is asserted that both the reduction in staff and the reorganisation constitute a breach of ILO Convention 81. Instead of reducing the number of inspectors, the number should in fact be doubled to meet the ILO Standard in this respect. Also, the Inspectorate should be given the means to further build its expertise (notably in the field of occupational diseases and emerging risks). Furthermore, the independence from politically motivated policies should be strenghtened.