DIFE formulates processes for better labour inspection services

The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment has formulated four thematic Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs),  aimed to improve its labour inspection services and ensure decent working environment in all places.

DIFE Inspector General, Shib Nath Roy on Wednesday approved the new SOPs regarding  registration and licensing of organizations, approval of factory layout plan, labour complaints and investigation, and investigation of occupational accidents, said a press release.

With the technical assistance of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and financial assistance from Canada, Netherlands and United Kingdom, the four SOPs were drafted by a team of experts comprising DIFE senior officials, it said.

Shib Nath Roy urged labour inspectors and stakeholders to implement these instruments, and said that the new SOPs would simplify and enhance the services provided by the department. 

He hoped that these tools would help DIFE deliver its services to the doorsteps of employers and workers alike.

The ‘Labour Complaints and Investigation’ SOP discusses the types of grievance and labour-related complaints, complaint submission and investigation procedures and post-investigation activities.

The ‘Approval of Factory Layout Plan’ SOP explains the application and approval processes for factory layout plans and the approval procedures for any modification or expansion in the factory layout plan.

The process of registration and licensing of organizations has been discussed in detail in the light of labor laws and regulations in the SOP on ‘Registration and Licensing of Organizations’.

Finally, the SOP titled ‘Investigation of Occupational Accidents’ includes methods and strategies for investigating workplace accidents, accident diagnosis and follow-up steps, accident investigation checklist, and samples of accident investigation reports.