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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:
The Committee recalls that in its previous comments it had requested the Government to institute an independent investigation into the comments concerning interference by the employer in trade unions’ internal affairs and activities and refusals to bargain collectively submitted by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) (now the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)). The Committee regrets that no information has been provided by the Government in this respect. The Committee reiterates its request and trusts that the Government will be more cooperative in the future.
Articles 1, 2 and 4 of the Convention. The Committee had previously requested the Government to specify the categories of worker covered by the term “law enforcement bodies” whose right to organize is restricted under article 23(2) of the Constitution and section 11(4) of the Law on Social Associations. The Committee had noted from the Government’s report, as well as from the definition provided for in section 256(2) of the Labour Code (2007), that firefighting and prison services are included in the definition of the “law enforcement bodies” and therefore excluded from the right to organize and to bargain collectively. The Committee considers that while the armed forces and the police can be excluded from the application of the Convention, the same cannot be said for fire service personnel and prison staff. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that these categories of worker enjoy the rights afforded by the Convention.
Article 2. The Committee had previously noted that sections 4(4) and 18(2) of the Law on Trade Unions prohibited acts of interference in the affairs of workers’ organizations and requested the Government to provide details on the procedures available to trade unions in cases of infringement, as well as the specific sanctions provided by the legislation. The Committee had noted sections 150 and 150-1 of the Criminal Code concerning interference in the activities of social organizations and interference in the legitimate activities of workers’ representatives, respectively, and providing for a penalty equivalent to up to five times the monthly wage or imprisonment to be imposed on an “official” found guilty of committing the offence using his or her position. The Committee requests the Government to clarify whether this provision applies in both the public and the private sectors.
Article 4. The Committee had noted that according to section 282(2) of the Labour Code, workers who are not members of any trade union may either authorize an existing trade union or choose another representative for the purposes of collective bargaining. If several workers’ representatives exist at the enterprise, they can establish a joint representative body to negotiate a collective agreement. The Committee considers that when a representative trade union exists and functions at the enterprise, allowing other workers’ representatives to bargain collectively could not only undermine the position of the trade union concerned, but also infringe upon the rights guaranteed under Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee therefore requests the Government to amend its legislation so as to ensure that where there exist in the same undertaking both a trade union representative and an elected representative, the existence of the latter is not used to undermine the position of the union in the collective bargaining process. It requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged in this respect.
The Committee had noted that the obligation imposed on the employer to conclude a collective agreement was repealed (once the Law on Collective Agreements was repealed) and that section 281 of the Labour Code enshrines the principle of free and voluntary negotiations. The Committee notes, however, that under section 91 of the Code on Administrative Breaches (2001), an unfounded refusal to conclude a collective agreement is punished by a fine. The Committee recalls that the legislation, which imposes an obligation to achieve a result, particularly when sanctions are used in order to ensure that an agreement is concluded, is contrary to the principle of free and voluntary negotiations. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide information on the application of section 91 of the Code in practice.
The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.
The Committee recalls that in its previous comments it had requested the Government to institute an independent investigation into the comments concerning interference by the employer in trade unions’ internal affairs and activities and refusals to bargain collectively submitted by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU). The Committee regrets that no information has been provided by the Government in this respect. The Committee reiterates its request and trusts that the Government will be more cooperative in the future.
Articles 1, 2 and 4 of the Convention. The Committee had previously requested the Government to specify the categories of worker covered by the term “law enforcement bodies” whose right to organize is restricted under article 23(2) of the Constitution and section 11(4) of the Law on Social Associations. The Committee notes from the Government’s report, as well as from the definition provided for in section 256(2) of the Labour Code (2007), that fire-fighting and prison services are included in the definition of the “law enforcement bodies” and therefore excluded from the right to organize and to bargain collectively. The Committee considers that while the armed forces and the police can be excluded from the application of the Convention, the same cannot be said for fire service personnel and prison staff. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that these categories of worker enjoy the rights afforded by the Convention.
Article 1. The Committee notes sections 14, 170 and 177 of the Labour Code, as well as section 141 of the Criminal Code (1997) which provide for an adequate protection against anti-union discrimination.
Article 2. The Committee had previously noted that sections 4(4) and 18(2) of the Law on Trade Unions prohibited acts of interference in the affairs of workers’ organizations and requested the Government to provide details on the procedures available to trade unions in cases of infringement, as well as the specific sanctions provided by the legislation. The Committee notes sections 150 and 150-1 of the Criminal Code concerning interference in the activities of social organizations and interference in the legitimate activities of workers’ representatives, respectively, and providing for a penalty equivalent to up to five times the monthly wage or imprisonment to be imposed on an “official” found guilty of committing the offence using his or her position. The Committee requests the Government to clarify whether this provision applies in both the public and the private sectors.
Article 4. The Committee notes that according to section 282(2) of the Labour Code, workers who are not members of any trade union may either authorize an existing trade union or choose another representative for the purposes of collective bargaining. If several workers’ representatives exist at the enterprise, they can establish a joint representative body to negotiate a collective agreement. The Committee considers that when a representative trade union exists and functions at the enterprise, allowing other workers’ representatives to bargain collectively could not only undermine the position of the trade union concerned, but also infringe upon the rights guaranteed under Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee therefore requests the Government to amend its legislation so as to ensure that where there exist in the same undertaking both a trade union representative and an elected representative, the existence of the latter is not used to undermine the position of the union in the collective bargaining process. It requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged in this respect.
The Committee notes that the obligation imposed on the employer to conclude a collective agreement was repealed (once the Law on Collective Agreements was repealed) and that section 281 of the Labour Code enshrines the principle of free and voluntary negotiations. The Committee notes, however, that under section 91 of the Code on Administrative Breaches (2001), an unfounded refusal to conclude a collective agreement is punished by a fine. The Committee recalls that the legislation, which imposes an obligation to achieve a result, particularly when sanctions are used in order to ensure that an agreement is concluded, is contrary to the principle of free and voluntary negotiations. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide information on the application of section 91 of the Code in practice.
Article 6. The Committee notes that civil and public servants enjoy collective bargaining rights under section 8 of the Law on Civil Service and section 236 of the Labour Code, respectively. It notes, in this respect, the list of collective agreements concluded in the civil service between various trade unions and the relevant ministries.
The Committee notes the Government’s report.
New Labour Code. The Committee notes the adoption, in May 2007, of the Labour Code which seems to regulate the issues previously raised by the Committee. The Committee will examine the conformity of the new Code with the Convention next year, once its translation becomes available.
Comments of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The Committee regrets that the Government provides no reply to the previous comments of the ITUC, alleging violations of trade union rights in practice, in particular interference by employers in trade unions’ internal affairs and activities, and refusals to bargain collectively. The Committee requests the Government to institute an independent investigation into these allegations and to keep it informed in this respect.
The Committee notes with regret that the information contained in the Government’s report is limited to the information provided in its report of 2003. The Committee regrets that, for three consecutive years, the Government has failed to reply to the specific comments and questions concerning the application of the Convention made by the Committee in its previous comments. It trusts that the Government will be more cooperative in the future.
The Committee further notes the observations submitted by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), which address several legislative issues previously raised by the Committee and violations of trade union rights in practice, in particular, interference by the employer in trade unions’ internal affairs and activities and refusals to bargain collectively. The Committee requests the Government to communicate its observations on these comments in its next report.
The Committee notes the Law of 23 December 2004 amending the Labour Law of 10 December 1999.
Articles 1, 2 and 4 of the Convention. The Committee notes that employees of national security and law enforcement bodies are prohibited from forming and joining trade unions (article 23(2) of the Constitution and section 11(4) of the Law on social associations). The Committee further notes that section 3(1) of the Law on trade unions stipulates that “the particulars of the applications of this law in railway forces will be defined by legislation”. While recalling that civilian staff working in the service of the army or police as well as prison staff should enjoy the rights provided for in the Convention, the Committee requests the Government to specify the categories of workers covered by the term “law enforcement bodies” and to indicate whether railway workers enjoy the rights afforded by Convention No. 98.
Article 1. In its previous comments, the Committee had noted that the Labour Law provides for reinstatement of workers in the event of dismissal without lawful grounds, or in the event of unlawful transfer to another job and that persons who consider that they have been discriminated against in the sphere of labour may petition to the court, and that section 109 of the Labour Law as amended provides that persons found guilty of violation of labour legislation bear responsibility under the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Committee requests the Government to specify sanctions which could be imposed in cases of acts of anti-union discrimination and to indicate relevant legislative provisions.
Article 2. While noting that sections 4(4) and 18(2) of the Law on trade unions prohibit acts of interference in the affairs of workers’ organizations, the Committee requests the Government to provide details on the procedures available to trade unions and employers’ organizations in cases of infringement, as well as the specific sanctions provided by the legislation.
Article 4. The Committee notes that it follows from the definition of the terms “collective agreement” and “representative of workers” provided for in section 1 of the Labour Law as amended, and section 32(1) of the same law, that the parties to collective bargaining are, on the one hand, one or several employers and, on the other, one or several trade unions or other persons or organizations authorized by workers. The Committee notes that section 32(2) of the Labour Law, not amended under the new Amendment Law, provides that the employer shall bargain with all representatives of the parties concluding a collective agreement and that section 32(3), as amended, provides that workers who are not members of a trade union have a right to authorize either a trade union body or other representatives to represent their interests in relations with an employer. Furthermore, section 3 of the Law on collective agreements provides that, in collective bargaining, workers are represented by general assembly (conference), trade union or other “authorized bodies” and sections 4(1) and 6(1) stipulate that the draft agreement is prepared by the labour collective with a large participation of its members, trade union organizations and other public workers’ associations existing at the enterprise. The Committee notes that the ICFTU raises the issue of the presence of other workers’ representatives or “authorized bodies” besides trade union organizations in the collective bargaining process. The Committee requests the Government to clarify the procedure of elaboration and conclusion of a collective agreement by specifying, in particular, whether in the presence of a trade union and other workers’ associations representing non-unionized workers, the collective agreement is negotiated with both organizations. Moreover, the Committee also requests the Government to indicate whether direct negotiation between the enterprise and its employees (in particular, through other representative bodies referred to by the legislation as “authorized bodies), bypassing representative organizations where these exist, are allowed by the legislation.
The Committee further notes that under section 8(2) of the Labour Law, the employer is obliged to conclude a collective agreement. Section 4(2) of the Law on collective agreements prohibits the parties from refusing to sign the collective agreement. Section 10 of this Law further provides that refusal to conclude a collective agreement is punishable by a fine of up to 1,000 rubles. The Committee recalls in this respect that Article 4 of the Convention embodies the principle of free and voluntary negotiation and that the legislation, which imposes an obligation to achieve a result (particularly when sanctions are used in order to ensure that an agreement is concluded), is contrary to this principle. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures to amend its legislation so as to guarantee the voluntary nature of collective bargaining.
As concerns the settlement of labour disputes in the framework of the establishment of collective agreements, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the legislation allows compulsory arbitration at the request of one party or on the initiative of the authorities. The Committee further requests the Government to provide a copy of the Law on labour disputes and strikes.
Article 6. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether public servants are granted collective bargaining rights and to specify the relevant legislative provisions.
The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:
Articles 1, 2 and 4 of the Convention. The Committee notes that employees of national security and law-enforcement bodies are prohibited from forming and joining trade unions (article 23(2) of the Constitution and section 11(4) of the Law on Social Associations). The Committee further notes that section 3(1) of the Law on Trade Unions stipulates that "the particulars of the applications of this law in railway forces will be defined by legislation". While recalling that civilian staff working in the service of the army or police as well as prison staff should enjoy the rights provided for in the Convention, the Committee requests the Government to specify the categories of workers covered by the term "law-enforcement bodies" and to indicate whether railway workers enjoy the rights afforded by Convention No. 98.
Article 1. While noting with interest that the Labour Code provides for reinstatement of workers in the event of dismissal without lawful grounds, or in the event of unlawful transfer to another job and that persons who consider that they have been discriminated in the sphere of labour may petition to the court, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the legislation provides for sanctions to be imposed in cases of acts of anti-union discrimination.
Article 2. While noting that sections 4(4) and 18(2) of the Law on Trade Unions prohibit acts of interference in the affairs of worker’s organizations, the Committee requests the Government to provide details on the procedures available to trade unions and employers’ organizations in cases of infringement, as well as the specific sanctions provided by the legislation.
Article 4. The Committee notes that according to the definition of "collective bargaining" provided for in section 1 of the Labour Code and section 32(1) of the Code, the parties to collective bargaining are, on the one hand, one or several employers and, on the other, one or several trade unions or workers who are not members of any trade union but who formed their association for bargaining purposes. The Committee notes that section 32(2) provides that the employer shall bargain with all representatives of the parties concluding the collective agreement. Furthermore, section 3 of the Law on Collective Agreements provides that, in collective bargaining, workers are represented by general assembly (conference), trade union or other authorized bodies and sections 4(1) and 6(1) stipulate that the draft agreement is prepared by the labour collective with a large participation of its members, trade union organizations and other public workers’ associations existing at the enterprise. The Committee requests the Government to clarify the procedure of elaboration and conclusion of a collective agreement by specifying, in particular, whether in the presence of a trade union and other workers’ association representing non-unionized workers, the collective agreement is negotiated with both organizations. Moreover, the Committee also requests the Government to indicate whether direct negotiation between the undertaking and its employees, by-passing representative organizations where these exist, are allowed by the legislation.
The Committee further notes that under section 8(2) of the Labour Code, the employer is obliged to conclude a collective agreement. Section 4(2) of the Law on Collective Agreements prohibits the parties from refusing to sign the collective agreement. Section 10 of this Law further provides that refusal to conclude a collective agreement is punishable by a fine of up to 1,000 rubles. The Committee recalls in this respect that Article 4 of the Convention embodies the principle of free and voluntary negotiation and that the legislation, which imposes an obligation to achieve a result, particularly when sanctions are used in order to ensure that agreement is concluded, is contrary to this principle. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures to amend its legislation so as to guarantee the voluntary nature of collective bargaining.
As concerns the settlement of labour disputes in the framework of the establishment of collective agreements, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the legislation allows compulsory arbitration at the request of one party or on the initiative of the authorities. The Committee further requests the Government to provide the copy of the Law on Labour Disputes and Strikes.
The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:
The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s first report.