Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

In its previous comments, the Committee had noted that the only facility granted by law to workers’ representatives was paid leave of 14 days to attend courses and requested the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that trade union representatives are granted facilities enabling them to carry out their trade union duties rapidly and efficiently. The Committee had also noted that the Ministry of Labour was endeavouring to encourage workers’ and employers’ organizations to include most of the provisions of the Convention in their collective agreements. The Committee further noted the Government’s indication that its comments would be taken into account when a legislative modification was adopted. It requested the Government to keep it informed of any measures adopted in that regard, and recalled that the Workers’ Representatives Recommendation, 1971 (No. 143), lists examples of such facilities: time off from work to attend trade union meetings, congresses, etc.; access to all workplaces in the undertaking, where necessary; access to the management of the undertaking, as may be necessary; distribution to workers of publications and other written documents of the union; access to such material facilities and information as may be necessary to carry out their duties, etc.

The Committee notes with interest that, according to the Government, the measures requested in its previous observation have been incorporated into the draft amendments to the Labour Code, which would be transmitted to the Committee following their adoption. In these circumstances the Committee expresses the hope that the amendments to the Labour Code would ensure for trade union representatives, facilities enabling them to carry out their trade union duties rapidly and efficiently and requests the Government to provide information on developments respecting the amendments’ adoption.