During the analysis of the scope of inspections, many control authorities told us that their inspectors, in addition to inspections, also officially carry out preventive and informational measures. During those inspections, the inspector has no right to inspect the enterprise or constitute a report but must tell about what and how the field of work is regulated and how to comply with the requirements.
This format of interaction between the state and business is clearly positive and important. Business receives the necessary clarifications on the rules of operation without the threat of sanctions. Even if the inspector sees a violation during such a visit, this is not a reason to have an unscheduled inspection.
In order to provide the state inspection (control) authorities with the opportunity to publicly reflect the preventive and informational work of inspectors, BRDO (Better Regulation Delivery Office) under support of the USAID Competitive Economy of Ukraine (CEU) Program has updated the Inspection Portal. The State Labor Service of Ukraine was the first to address us with such a request. So today the system is supplemented with information on:
- 190,000 informational visits of state labour inspectors in 2020 (including those conducted as a part of the campaign to reduce undeclared work in trade and restaurant businesses in January and February of 2020);
- 15,000 preventive measures in all areas of control of the State Labor Service.
Why is the role and publicity of preventive and information visits of inspectors important?
First, it is the clear anti-corruption opportunity. With the help of the Inspection Portal, businesses can track either an inspector’s visit was official, or a “friendly” visit by a dishonest inspector, or even a fraudster pursuing a personal interest.
Second, businesses often complain about the lack of necessary information or even do not know that they violate certain rules and put people at risk. Informing entrepreneurs and conducting preventive visits are not intended to prevent businesses from operating, but to prevent accidents and catastrophes from happening. Because inspections are, in fact, not only about court orders or fines but mainly about human lives.
You can find out whether the preventive/informational visit of the State Labor Inspectorate to your enterprise was official on the website of the Inspection Portal in the menu “Results of inspections” – “Results of preventive measures” or “Results of informational visits”.