Advancing towards a modern and effective labour inspection system in China
ILO tripartite constituents in China jointly explore labour inspection capacity-building roadmap to ensure fair, safe, and equitable working conditions for all workers.
14 December 2023
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BEIJING (ILO News) – On December 8, 2023, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Chinese Academy of Labour and Social Security (CALSS) jointly hosted a tripartite seminar on strengthening the professional capacity of labour inspection in Beijing. The primary objective of the seminar is to validate the findings of a joint ILO/CALSS research initiative on enhancing the professional capacity of labour inspection and to facilitate a policy dialogue on the strategic direction for future capacity-building in labour inspection.
Initiating their collaboration in 2009, the ILO and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) focused on enhancing the capabilities of fledgling labour inspection institutions at that time. Since then, China has made big strides in establishing a modern and effective labor inspection system. Acknowledging China's transition towards a prevention and service-oriented approach in its labour inspection system, Chang-Hee Lee, Director of ILO Country Office for China and Mongolia, expressed appreciation for China's pioneering good practices, including the innovative use of information technology and digital tools to combat non-compliance in the informal sector.
Reflecting on the progress of labour inspection over the years, the tripartite constituents accentuated the constant need for capacity-building within labour inspectorates. This imperative arises from the dynamic nature of socio-economic contexts, labour legislation, working environments, forms of work, employment relations, and the rapid technological advancements.
Chen Lan, Deputy Director-General of the Labour Inspection Bureau at MOHRSS, emphasized that labour inspectors confront increasingly intricate labour and employment relations. The younger generation of workers presents a spectrum of needs and demands broader than those of their parents. She highlighted that addressing these new opportunities and challenges demands stronger capacities within both the labour inspection system and among individual inspectors.
Examining the future trajectory of labour inspection capacity building in China, the tripartite representatives provided many suggestions, underscoring the pivotal role of labour inspection in ensuring decent work and protecting workers' rights and interests—integral components of a business-enabling environment. Furthermore, they emphasized that the enhanced utilization of information technology and AI holds the potential to significantly augment the efficiency of labour inspection, alleviating the strain caused by staff shortages. In addition, some local inspectors shared the good practices of local business associations in promoting sectoral self-discipline.
The technical foundation for this research and seminar stems from the Labour Inspection Convention,1947 (No.81) and the Guidelines on general principles of labour inspection.
Initiating their collaboration in 2009, the ILO and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) focused on enhancing the capabilities of fledgling labour inspection institutions at that time. Since then, China has made big strides in establishing a modern and effective labor inspection system. Acknowledging China's transition towards a prevention and service-oriented approach in its labour inspection system, Chang-Hee Lee, Director of ILO Country Office for China and Mongolia, expressed appreciation for China's pioneering good practices, including the innovative use of information technology and digital tools to combat non-compliance in the informal sector.
Reflecting on the progress of labour inspection over the years, the tripartite constituents accentuated the constant need for capacity-building within labour inspectorates. This imperative arises from the dynamic nature of socio-economic contexts, labour legislation, working environments, forms of work, employment relations, and the rapid technological advancements.
Chen Lan, Deputy Director-General of the Labour Inspection Bureau at MOHRSS, emphasized that labour inspectors confront increasingly intricate labour and employment relations. The younger generation of workers presents a spectrum of needs and demands broader than those of their parents. She highlighted that addressing these new opportunities and challenges demands stronger capacities within both the labour inspection system and among individual inspectors.
Examining the future trajectory of labour inspection capacity building in China, the tripartite representatives provided many suggestions, underscoring the pivotal role of labour inspection in ensuring decent work and protecting workers' rights and interests—integral components of a business-enabling environment. Furthermore, they emphasized that the enhanced utilization of information technology and AI holds the potential to significantly augment the efficiency of labour inspection, alleviating the strain caused by staff shortages. In addition, some local inspectors shared the good practices of local business associations in promoting sectoral self-discipline.
The technical foundation for this research and seminar stems from the Labour Inspection Convention,1947 (No.81) and the Guidelines on general principles of labour inspection.