ABSTRACT
The inspection and legal enforcement arm of the Labor Ministry, the General Inspectorate of Labor (IGT), is given broad powers to ensure that employers, workers and unions “comply with and respect the laws, collective agreements and regulations that govern” labor relations. IGT labor inspectors “may visit workplaces whatever may be their nature, during different hours of the day and even the night, if work is undertaken then,” and may examine salary and other work records. The vast majority of IGT investigations are prompted by a complaint filed by a worker, union or employer. In those rare instances when government inspectors enter the workplace, document violations and begin legal process to secure a remedy, the employer can usually buy months of appellate delay in the courts. When a decision is finally rendered, fines are so small as to virtually invite repetition of similar offenses.
