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1. Reinforcing social dialogue. The Committee notes the detailed information in the Government’s report received in October 2004 containing observations made by the Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TISK), the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-IŞ), the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DISK), the Confederation of Turkish Real Trade Unions (HAK-IS) and the Confederation of Public Employees’ Unions of Turkey (TÜRKIYE KAMU-SEN). It also notes the observations of February 2004 by the Confederation of Public Servants’ Trade Unions (KESK) and the Government’s response thereto of October 2004.

2. The Committee notes that both the Government and the representative organizations of employers and workers report on progress accomplished in the area of social dialogue, thanks to the establishment of a number of tripartite consultative bodies. It notes with interest the Tripartite Protocol, drawn up in June 2001 between the Ministry of Labour and Social  Security and TISK, TÜRK-IŞ, HAK-IS and DISK for the setting up of an "academic council" for the development of social legislation in conformity with international standards. The Committee asks the Government to send information on the activities of this council and also requests it more generally to submit all relevant information on progress achieved in the practical application of the Convention (Part V of the report form).

3. Tripartite consultations called for by the Convention. The Committee notes with interest the setting up of the Tripartite Advisory Board pursuant to article 114 of the new Labour Act (No. 4857 of 2003). This Board is called upon to "ensure effective solidarity between government and employer, civil servants and confederations of workers’ unions, for the purpose of developing labour peace and industrial relations". The Committee notes that the rules and procedures for the operation of the Board, adopted in April 2004, seem to comprise the consultation provided for in the Convention. It also notes that DISK hopes that the Board will fulfil the functions provided for in Convention No. 144 and result in effective tripartite consultation between the Government and the social partners. With reference to the information that the first meeting of the Board was held in May 2004, the Committee invites the Government to continue to provide it with information on the consultations held in the Board during the period covered by the next report, in particular on the matters set out in Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention.