Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

The Committee notes the Government’s reply to the observations made by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) dated 26 August 2009, and the observations of the ITUC dated 24 August 2010.

Article 2 of the Convention. Export processing zones. The Committee recalls that for a number of years it has been requesting the Government to recognize the trade union rights of workers in export processing zones. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that no provisions of the specific texts respecting processing zones exclude the application of the provisions of the Labour Code (Act No. 2006-010 of 13 December 2006) and that all workers in enterprises approved with the status of processing zones benefit from the guarantees afforded by the Labour Code. The Committee also notes with interest the Government’s indication in its report that trade union organizations for workers in processing zones were created in 2009 and 2010 (the Trade Union Federation of Workers in Export Processing Zones (USYNTRAZOF), the National Union of Workers in Processing Zones of Togo (SYNATRAZOFT) and the Free Trade Union of Workers in Processing Zones of Togo (SYLITRAZOF)) and that, for the purposes of clarification, including the extent of trade union freedoms, the Government has decided, with the support of the International Labour Office, to undertake the revision of Act No. 89-14 of 18 September 1989 establishing the rules governing processing zones and subsequent texts. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the progress achieved in relation to the revision of the Act, and to provide a copy of such instrument with its next report. It recalls the importance that it attaches to the value of the consultation of employers’ and workers’ organizations in the preparation and implementation of legislation affecting their interests.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.