Adopted on 20th June 1972

Amended on:
10th May 1977
17th June 1980
22nd June 1984
15th June 1990
7th May 2000
19th June 2002
11 June 2008

Chapter I - Name - Seat - Aims

A - Seat

Article 1:
An International Association of Labour Inspection is hereby created and its seat is established at Geneva.

It is governed by the present statutes.


B - Aims

Article 2:
The aims of the Association are:

a - to promote contacts between the various institutions and persons in charge of Labour Inspection or who participate directly in this function,

b - to allow the exchange of information and experience concerning the principal tasks undertaken by Labour Inspectors, and particularly the administrative, juridical and technical practices relating to that function,

c - to study the problems posed by the organisation and the working of Labour Inspectorates, especially regarding their methods and means of inspection their independence of judgement in undertaking their work, and their use of technical advisors,

d - to disseminate useful information and documentation whether through occasional publications or otherwise,

e - to organise international meetings.

The status of a "Non-Governmental International Consultative Organisation" was conferred on the IALI 1978 by the International Labour Office (Geneva)


Article 3:
The Association exists only for ideal ends. It renounces and bans any political or religious activity, any criticism of national systems of Labour Inspection and any interference in their working. In addition it renounces any statement or attitude constituting interference in the affairs of the social partner's business.

A - Membership

Article 4:

a - membership of the Association is open to:

- any Group of Labour Inspectors. The term "Group" means any organisation which comprises a de jure or de facto body, legally constituted according to the regulations of its country, howsoever titled (association, trade union),
- the Labour Department of any State or Region of a Federal State which is responsible, on the one hand, for the planning and direction of the Labour Inspection department and on the other hand, for inspecting compliance with labour legislation in employment,

b - Groups or Labour Departments may send as delegates to the General Assembly and to the Executive Committee of the Association only persons having the status of a Labour Inspector within the meaning of Articles 3 and 6 of the International Convention No. 81 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), whether the function of those persons is to direct the Labour Inspectorate services or to inspect undertakings.

c - The term "Labour Department" covers both the civil service of the country and those services which, by delegation from the State, are responsible for the Inspection of Occupational Safety and Health.

d - Delegates of Labour Departments co-operate in the documentation and study activities of the IALI in their capacity as experts or qualified persons. Consequently, these delegates in no way commit the Department to which they belong.

e - Any national Group or Labour Department wishing to co-operate as a member in the work of IALI, must submit, in a letter to the Executive Committee, its application, accompanied, as appropriate, either by the Articles of the Group or by a note briefly explaining the functions of the Department. The Executive Committee may require further particulars.

f - The admission of new members is approved by the Executive Committee based on the eligibility given in Articles 4(a) and (e). The Executive Committee may refer certain cases to the General Assembly as in Article 6 (e).

g - Any member may resign its membership at the end of the civil year after giving 6 months notice. The Association may decide, in accordance with paragraphs "c" and "n" of article 6 hereafter, to exclude a member who seriously violates its statues or could adversely affect the reputation of the Association.

h - Members are required to pay their membership fees regularly and in accordance with the level of fees agreed by the Association.  Any member facing genuine difficulties in paying fees may make application to the Executive Committee for one year’s exemption from payment. The application should set out the reasons for the difficulty.  The Executive Committee may decide, on behalf of the Association, that this member may be assigned candidate status and can continue to receive the technical services but will be exempted from voting rights.

B - Administrative Organs

Article 5:
The administrative organs of the Association are:

- the General Assembly
- the Executive Committee
- the General Secretariat
- the Regional Delegates
- the Regional Secretariats
- the Auditors

C - General Assembly

Article 6:

a - The General Assembly is made up of national delegations, each comprising one nominated representative from each organisation, whether a member Group or a member Labour Department, which is currently in membership of the Association, and which has duly paid its membership fees either:

- since the date of the last ordinary meeting of the General Assembly;

or

- if a member of less than three years standing, since joining the Association.

b - A nominated representative may, if unable to attend, nominate in writing a substitute who shall have the same rights. Other members of organisations in membership may attend and (with the agreement of their nominated representative) speak at the General Assembly (but may not vote).

c - The General Assembly holds its ordinary meeting every three years during the Congress of the Association. It can, if necessary, hold an extraordinary meeting in accordance with Article 7.

d - The agenda is set by the Executive Committee which sends it in writing to all members at least one month before the General Assembly. Items which have not been communicated in this way cannot be the subject of debate, except with the agreement of the General Assembly, on a proposal from the Executive Committee.

e - The General Assembly is competent to:

- amend the statutes on a proposal of the Executive Committee
- elect the members of the Executive Committee and the auditors
- approve the standing orders of the Association on a proposal of the Executive Committee
- approve the administrative report and the accounts
- fix the "membership fees" on a proposal of the Executive Committee
- decide the admission or the exclusion of members where this is referred by the Executive Committee
- move the seat of the Association on a proposal of the Executive Committee
- dissolve the Association on a proposal of the Executive Committee

f - Each nominated representative is allowed one vote at the General Assembly but no national delegation shall have more than three votes.

g - Nominations for membership of the Executive Committee shall be sent or handed to the General Secretary to arrive by 1800 hours on the day preceding the General Assembly. Nominations and candidature for membership of the Executive Committee are restricted to those nominated representatives of members in good standing, who have duly paid their membership fees in accordance with the conditions stated in Article 6 (a) above.

h - The General Secretary will prepare voting papers for the election of members of the Executive Committee, comprising a list, in alphabetical order, of all nominations received by the due time. Each candidate's name will be followed by his or her country. The voting paper will contain no means of identification.

i - Independent tellers, appointed by the General Assembly, will distribute one voting paper to each nominated representative of an organisation in membership, but ensure that no national delegation receives more than three voting papers.

j - Votes are taken in public. If a nominated representative asks for a secret ballot, his request must be given effect.

k - Unless otherwise specified in paragraph "n" of this article, decisions are taken by a simple majority of votes expressed (affirmative or negative votes) only.

l - The independent tellers shall collect the voting papers, checking again that only those entitled to vote have done so and after counting the votes will declare the result to the Chairman of the meeting.

m - If the ballot for the Executive Committee results in a tie for the last place(s) there shall be a further ballot between those with equal votes.

n - Decisions concerning the amendment of the statutes, the exclusion of members and the transfer of the seat of the Association must be taken by two-thirds majority of the General Assembly members entitled to vote, as provided for in Article 6 (a).

Article 7:

a - If a third of the nominated members demand it, a General Assembly must be convened.

b - The Executive Committee must call such an Assembly (or consult in writing as provided for in Article 8) within thirty (30) days after the request. The agenda is communicated in the same manner as required by article 11 paragraph "h" hereafter.

Article 8:

a - If it is acknowledged that an ordinary or extraordinary General Assembly cannot be convened in satisfactory conditions, especially because there are not enough participants, the Executive Committee may ask the members to pronounce their decision through a vote by correspondence, on the points placed on the agenda which has been set and communicated in the manner provided in articles 6"d" and 7 of the present statutes.

b - Votes by correspondence require a two-thirds majority of the votes expressed.

c - The Executive Committee provides for a procedure for votes by correspondence in its standing orders. The members are given notice of this procedure with the agenda.


D - Congresses - Symposia - Enquiries

Article 9:

a - The General Assembly meets on the occasion of each congress. It lays down the triennial programme of documentation and studies by the Association.

b - This programme includes:
- international inquiries by questionnaire
- international, regional or sub-regional symposia
- the Congress

c - The material and technical organisation of these activities is carried out by the General Secretariat of the Association, in accordance with the directions of the Executive Committee.

d - The Executive Committee undertakes all the necessary negotiations to obtain from a host state the finance for the organisation of symposia.

E - The Executive Committee

Article 10:

a - The Executive Committee consists of:
- one President
- eight Vice-Presidents
- one of the Vice-Presidents performs the function of General Secretary
- one of the Vice-Presidents performs the function of Association Treasurer.

b - The members of the Executive Committee are elected by the General Assembly, in accordance with Article 6, for three years and are eligible for re-election. The Officers of the Association (President, General Secretary and Treasurer) are elected by and from amongst the members of the Executive Committee. Each member of the Executive Committee has one vote for each post and at least 5 votes must be cast in favour of a candidate for them to be elected.

c - The Executive Committee elected by the General Assembly comes into effect immediately following closure of the General Assembly.

d - The work of the Committee members is voluntary. The Association pays the expenses incurred by members attending meetings (travelling expenses and subsistence allowance, the amount of which is determined by the General Assembly).

Article 11:

a - The Committee is responsible for the effective administration of the Association. It is responsible for the execution of decisions taken by the General Assembly.

b - It represents the Association in relation to third parties and confers the signature of the Association.

c - It has the power to decide on admission to the Association or to propose to the General Assembly, the exclusion of a member.

d - The Committee may fix the conditions under which the persons referred to in article 9 of International Convention No. 81 may participate in or be associated with the work of the Association.

e - The Committee fixes its annual and long term programmes and takes any initiatives which come within the framework of the general activity of the Association. It deliberates and deals with such matters except those within the exclusive competence of the General Assembly.

f - The treasurer takes all necessary measures to ensure the collection of membership fees in due time and as regularly as possible.

g - The Committee calls the General Assembly 90 days in advance by communicating simultaneously to its members a draft agenda. The members may submit proposals for inclusion on the agenda at least 60 days before the meeting. The Committee sends members of the General Assembly the final agenda at least 30 days in advance.

h - The Committee may call (or consult in writing) an extraordinary General Assembly. In that case, the agenda is sent to the members at least 30 days in advance.

i - The Committee may offer to suitable persons the title of Honorary President but this shall carry no rights to membership of the Executive Committee and no vote.

j - The Committee may at its discretion appoint a maximum of 3 Technical Advisors.  Such appointments shall be for a fixed term, but shall carry no rights to attend meetings and no vote.

Article 12:

a - The Executive Committee meets, in principle, at least every year at the seat of the Association or in a town selected according to its convenience for the members or the fact it is most suitable for the study of the problems to be discussed.

b - The decisions of the Committee (other than those concerning the election of Officers in accordance with Article 10) are taken by a simple majority of the members. Where the votes are equally divided, the President is allowed a casting vote. If the members cannot meet, decisions can be taken by postal vote.

c - The Committee decides upon its own procedures according to its own standing orders. The text of such standing orders together with any subsequent amendments to them is sent to General Assembly members for approval.

F - General Secretariat - Regional Delegates

Article 13:

a - The General Secretariat constitutes the technical and administrative body of the Association; its functions are exercised in accordance with the directions of the Executive Committee.

b - Its location and its organisation will be the subject of negotiation between the Executive Committee and the Labour Department of the host country which accepts it and provides the assistance necessary for its functioning. Its location should preferably be near Geneva in order to facilitate technical relations with the International Labour Office.

c - Regional Delegates may be appointed. Their function is to form, for a group of countries in a given zone, links between the Executive Committee of the Association and:

on the one hand, the members of the Association belonging to the aforementioned countries,

on the other hand, national Groups and Labour Departments that are not members of the Association.

These delegates co-operate, in particular, in the drafting of plans for the triennial programme, informing the Executive Committee of the fields in which national Groups and Labour Departments of the countries concerned wish to initiate the development of documentation and studies by the Association.

In liaison with the Executive Committee and with the technical assistance of the General Secretariat, they contribute to the organisation of regional or sub-regional symposia.

The appointment of regional delegates is decided by agreement between the competent persons belonging to these States and to the Executive Committee.

d - Regional Secretariats may be set up on the initiative of regional Delegates and on terms decided by the regional Delegates and the Executive Committee.

A - Income

Article 14:

The income of the Association consists of:

membership fees
subsidies, donations and legacies
interest on its assets
income from its publications and services

B - Accountancy

Article 15:
The accountancy of the Association is undertaken by the Treasurer according to the procedure defined by the Executive Committee who is informed annually of the financial situation of the Association. Before being submitted to the General Assembly, the accounts are to be audited by auditors who make a report.

Chapter IV - Dissolution

Article 16:

a - The dissolution of the Association may be decided by a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly members on a proposal properly addressed to the President. The latter, after deliberation by the Executive Committee, refers the matter to the General Assembly within ninety days and proposes to it terms for disposal of the assets.

b - In the event of dissolution, the Executive Committee takes all necessary measures to dispose of the assets. The dissolution becomes operative ninety days after the vote of the General Assembly.

About IALI

IALI operates worldwide with about 80 member organisations from 60 countries of the world. Organisations from developing countries and from countries which are in a transition phase belong to IALI in addition to industrial states. They all have the same aim: to achieve and to improve - step by step - humanity and dignity in the field of labour. IALI is an independent association without political and religious ties. Its one and only task is to help working people in the field of health and safety all over the world.

In particular, IALI:

provides a forum for the exchange of information and experience in the field of labour inspection and similar areas;

gives assistance to developing countries by passing on experiences achieved in the field of human labour conditions, labour inspection, preventive labour protection, by informing them about new production procedures and technologies and new risks for people arising from these new procedures.

Further information is available from the IALI Secretariat:

Mme Nadine Schneider
IALI Secretariat,
Inspection du Travail et des Mines
BP 27
L-2010 Luxembourg

T: (+) 352-247 86151
F: (+) 352.491.447
E: