Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

The Committee recalls that, in relation to the observations made by the Bolivian Central of Workers (COB), it previously asked the Government to provide information on the dismissal of workers from the SABSA enterprise as a result of a strike. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the dismissal of the workers from SABSA has its origins in a strike which was declared unlawful by decision of the General Directorate of Labour on 5 May 1999 and that the case is currently before the judicial labour authorities. In this respect, the Committee recalls that responsibility for declaring a strike illegal should not lie with the Government, but with an independent body which has the confidence of the parties involved. The Committee asks the Government to ensure compliance with this principle in future.