Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2002, publiée 91ème session CIT (2003)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report. It also notes the information on the content of a number of collective agreements. It observes, however, that the information refers largely to the advantages enjoyed by workers and contains little to show that currently workers’ representatives in enterprises have facilities under collective agreements allowing them to carry out their duties promptly and efficiently.

Since at present the only facility granted by law to workers’ representatives is paid leave of 14 days to attend courses, the Committee requests 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 furthermore recalls that full effect can be given to the Convention inter alia by provisions in the law or in collective agreements. The Committee points out in this connection 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 that, according to the Government’s report, the Ministry of Labour is endeavouring to encourage workers’ and employers’ organizations to include most of the provisions of this Convention in their collective agreements. Since the collective agreements appear not to make provision for such facilities, however, the Committee requests the Government to take steps to amend the legislation so as to ensure that workers’ representatives are granted facilities enabling them to carry out their duties rapidly and efficiently. It also asks the Government to keep it informed of any measures adopted.