Effect given to the recommendations of the committee and the Governing Body - Report No 309, March 1998

Effect given to the recommendations of the Committee and the Governing Body

1. 27. During its examination of this case in November 1997, the Committee found itself obliged to deplore the fact that, for nearly three years, the Government has consistently evaded responding to the urgent calls for a mission. The Committee added that a new complaint had been submitted against the Government of Nigeria alleging the adoption of further anti-union decrees and detention of unionists (Case No. 1935). The Committee therefore reiterated in the strongest possible terms the calls which have been made to the Government to indicate, as a matter of urgency, the earliest dates in which a mission to examine the trade union situation in Nigeria could be received. (See 308th Report, paras. 51-53.)
2. 28. In a communication dated 4 February 1998, the Government indicated that it would transmit its reply concerning this case on 20 February 1998. On 20 February 1998, the Government sent a letter indicating that it would reply on 24 February 1998. No further information has since been received from the Government.
3. 29. In these circumstances, the Committee must express its outrage at the manner in which the Government has repeatedly ignored not only its own calls for a mission to examine the trade union rights situation in the country and to visit trade unionists detained without trial, at least one of whom has been detained for over three years, but also the additional urgent calls emanating directly from the Governing Body in this respect. The levity displayed by the Government in this respect can only be viewed by the Committee with the greatest concern. Given the persistent lack of cooperation on the part of the Government in this case, the Committee considers that other types of action should be taken in order to enable some progress in the very serious matters raised in this case.