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The Committee takes note of the Government’s reports.

Article 2 of the Convention. In its previous comment, the Committee had requested the Government to adopt legislative provisions to protect workers’ and employers’ organizations against acts or interference by each other or each other’s agents, accompanied by effective and sufficiently dissuasive sanctions. The Committee had noted the Government’s indication that provisions strengthening this protection were contained in the Trade Unions and Industrial Relations Bill, 2000, a copy of which would be sent to the ILO after its adoption by the Legislative Assembly. The Committee notes however that no reference to this Act has been made in the Government’s report. Therefore, the Committee requests the Government to inform it about the status of this Bill and hopes that these amendments will be adopted in the near future.

Article 4. The Committee had noted that, in non-essential services, either party may request that an unconciliated dispute be referred to the industrial tribunal (section 53-B of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act of 1996). The Committee had requested the Government to ensure through legislative measures that, except where the situation concerns essential services, such compulsory arbitration may only be initiated at the joint request of both parties. The Committee notes that the Government does not reply to the comments made on this matter and therefore requests the Government once again to provide in its next report information on measures taken in this respect.