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Regarding training, Article 99 of the labor law requires the employer or his surrogate to
inform every worker of job risks when starting his service and any developments thereafter,
as well as to inform him of preventive measures to mitigate risks. The employer is required
to post in a visible place detailed directives on occupational health to protect workers from
dangers they may face on the job.
Article 5 of Ministerial Decree 20/2005 on precautions and conditions to be provided in
workplaces to protect workers and trainees from work hazards states that the employer or
his surrogate must provide workers with clothing and tools and train them on their use.
Do labor inspectors exercise oversight over safety standards in the workplace? If no, how
does the government monitor and enforce health and safety standards?
Yes, labor inspectors exercise oversight of safety standards in the workplace. There is a
special department of occupational safety and health in the Inspection Directorate.
The labor law requires employers to inform the police and the Ministry of Labor of any
employee injuries or deaths in the workplace. How many worker injuries and deaths have
been reported over the last three years? Can we see the data on worker injuries and deaths
as well information on the causes of death? Is data on workers injuries and deaths
available in medical records?
Over the last three years, there have been no more than 6 cases of worker deaths. The
causes are falls. We include data on workplace injuries and accidents in Table 2.
Resolution of labor complaints and court cases
How many labor complaints did the Ministry of Labor receive in 2009, 2010, and thus far in
2011? May we see data and resolution information on complaints documented over the last
three years? In what percentage of cases were employees compensated? How many cases
were referred to the courts?
2009: 6,217 complaints
2010: 4,894 complaints
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