Effect given to the recommendations of the committee and the Governing Body - Report No 308, November 1997

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

1. 53. During its examination of this case in June 1997 (see 307th Report, paras. 33-35), the Committee strongly reiterated its request for a mission to examine the issues raised and, in particular, to visit detained trade union leaders and urged the Government to respond positively to this request without any further delay. On 18 June 1997, the Government proposed the month of September to the Office as a period when the mission might be received and the Office, in a communication dated 4 July 1997, suggested that the mission take place from 8 to 17 September and requested the Government to confirm these dates as soon as possible so that the necessary organizational arrangements could be made.
2. 54. In a communication dated 5 September, and received in the Office on 8 September, the Government indicated that the dates proposed were not suitable and that a letter would follow. In a letter dated 10 September 1997, the Director-General expressed his grave concern at the continual postponement of this mission and called upon the Government as a matter of urgency to propose the earliest dates in which the mission could be received. No further communication has been received from the Government.
3. 55. Noting this information, the Committee cannot but deeply deplore the fact that, for nearly three years, the Government has consistently evaded responding to the urgent calls for a mission and, when finally agreeing to a month when such a mission could be carried out, the Government waited until the eve of the mission to indicate that the period was not suitable. The behaviour of the Government gives rise to serious doubts concerning its good faith in dealing with the Committee. The Committee would also point out that a new complaint has been submitted against the Government of Nigeria alleging the adoption of further anti-union decrees and detention of unionists (Case No. 1935). In these circumstances, the Committee reiterates in the strongest possible terms the calls which have been made to the Government.