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Repetition

The Committee welcomes the detailed information provided in the Government’s report on the measures taken by the tripartite Economic and Social Council (ESC) during the reporting period to promote and strengthen social dialogue and tripartite consultations at the national and local levels. The Government reports that the ESC continues to hold meetings, with seven meetings having been held in 2017. It adds that the social partners have engaged in both bipartite and tripartite consultations at the national level, and refers to discussions concerning the development of labour legislation and various action plans, including an action plan on the promotion of social dialogue, discussed by the ESC in 2015. Moreover, in 2016, among other activities, the ESC reviewed and adopted an action plan for the promotion of collective bargaining. The Government further indicates that six local ESCs have been established in the municipalities of Resen, Sveti Nikole, Strumica, Kichevo, Radovish and Struga, bringing the total of local ESCs to 15. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the implementation and impact of the measures adopted under the action plans to promote social dialogue and collective bargaining and to communicate copies of the relevant action plans. The Committee further invites the Government to provide information with regard to whether any measures have been taken in relation to the possibility of introducing a fund for the promotion of social dialogue, discussed in the meeting.

Article 4. Administrative support and training. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, in 2015, the ESC’s Rules of Procedure were amended, expanding its institutional framework and technical functioning. Six permanent working bodies were established within the ESC. In addition, a tripartite secretariat was established providing technical and expert support to the ESC, for whose functioning special rooms were provided and equipped. The Government indicates that thematic trainings and workshops were organized to strengthen the capacities of both the national and local ESCs. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the nature and impact of the amendments made to the ESC’s Rules of Procedure. In addition, the Committee invites the Government to provide information on any arrangements made for the financing of the training of participants, including information concerning the frequency, nature and content of the training provided.

Article 5 of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide detailed information on the content and outcome of tripartite consultations held on each of the matters related to international labour standards set out in Article 5(1)(a)–(e) of the Convention. The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain information in this respect. The Committee therefore reiterates its request for detailed information on the content and outcome of tripartite consultations in relation to the matters covered under Article 5(1): the Government’s replies to questionnaires concerning items on the agenda of the International Labour Conference, particularly with regard to the Government’s comments on proposed texts to be discussed by the Conference (Article 5(1)(a)); consultations held with the social partners on the proposals made to the competent authorities upon the submission of instruments adopted by the Conference (Article 5(1)(b)); tripartite consultations on the re-examination of unratified Conventions and Recommendations to which effect has not yet been given (Article 5(1)(c)); and on denunciation of ratified Conventions (Article 5, paragraph 1(e)).