Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee notes that a Commission of Inquiry was appointed at the 272nd Session of the Governing Body (June 1998) in respect of the non-observance by Nigeria of this Convention, as well as of Convention No. 87. It notes, however, that, at the same session, the Governing Body decided that the commencement of the work of the Commission should be delayed for 60 days in order to allow a direct contacts mission to take place. The Committee takes due note of the report of this direct contacts mission which took place from 17-21 August 1998 and the report of the Officers of the Governing Body to its 273rd Session (November 1998). In particular, it notes the decision of the Governing Body to suspend the work of the Commission of Inquiry and to request the Director-General to transmit the report of the direct contacts mission to this Committee for examination at its November-December 1998 session in connection with the application by Nigeria of the relevant ratified Conventions.

The Committee notes the reference in the direct contacts mission report to the need to consider within the contemplated revision of labour legislation the provisions of Article 4 of the Convention which call for measures to be taken to encourage and promote the full development and utilization of machinery for voluntary negotiation between employers or employers' organizations and workers' organizations with a view to the regulation of terms and conditions of employment by means of collective agreements. The Committee notes from the report of the direct contacts mission that steps have been taken in a positive direction. It requests the Government to keep it informed in future reports of any measures taken or envisaged in this regard.