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In its previous observation, the Committee took note that the Third Draft Industrial Relations Bill, which was last revised on 14 August 2006, had replaced the 2003 Draft Industrial Relations Act, as part of an ongoing effort to review and consolidate the labour legislation. The Committee notes that the Government indicates in its report that the Sixth (final) Draft Industrial Relations Bill was finalized in December 2009. The Committee requests the Government to indicate any development in this respect and to provide a copy of the Bill once adopted.

Power of the Minister to assess collective agreements on grounds of public interest. In its previous observation, the Committee had requested the Government to amend section 32 of the Third Draft Industrial Relations Bill, which conferred a broad power on the Minister of Labour to assess collective agreements on grounds of public interest – a principle that also applied to the public sector. The draft legislation had stated that “the Minister may, on behalf of the State, appeal as of right against the making of an award or order (including an award or order made by consent) or the certification of an agreement, on the ground that the making of the award or order, or the certification of the agreement, is contrary to public interest”. The Committee notes that the Government indicates in its report that this provision has been renumbered as section 51 of the Sixth (final) Draft Industrial Relations Bill, which provides that the powers previously conferred to the Minister are now conferred to the Attorney‑General who will be acting on behalf of the State and whose powers will be subject to the approval of a Full Bench under the Industrial Relations Commission, so as to allow for him/her to appeal – on grounds of public interest – against the making of an award or order (including an award or order made by consent) or the certification of an agreement. The Committee recalls that such provision could only be compatible with the Convention if it merely stipulates that the approval of collective agreements may be refused if the collective agreement has a procedural flaw, or does not conform to the minimum standards laid down by general labour legislation (General Survey of 1994 on freedom of association and collective bargaining, paragraph 251). The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that section 51 of the Sixth (final) Draft Industrial Relations Bill is in conformity with the abovementioned principle, and to provide information thereon in its next report.

Compulsory arbitration. In its previous observation, the Committee had noted that sections 151 and 152 of the Third Draft Industrial Relations Bill instituted a system of compulsory arbitration when conciliation between the parties had failed. The Committee notes that the Government indicates in its report that these sections have been repealed by sections 77 and 78 of the Sixth (final) Draft Industrial Relations Bill, which provide that a Commissioner of the Industrial Relations Commission can only begin arbitration where a conciliation proceeding is exhausted with the issues remaining unresolved; and refer to the intervention of the State in an industrial dispute where issues of public interest and public welfare come into calculation. The Committee recalls that compulsory arbitration is only acceptable if it is at the request of both parties involved in a dispute, or in the case of disputes in the public service involving public servants exercising authority in the name of the State or in essential services in the strict sense of the term, namely those services whose interruption would endanger the life, personal safety or health of the whole or part of the population. In these circumstances, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that sections 77 and 78 of the Sixth (final) Draft Industrial Relations Bill are in conformity with the abovementioned principle, and to provide information thereon in its next report. 

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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 took note that the third draft Industrial Relations Bill, which was last revised on 14 August 2006 following widespread consultations with the social partners, has entered its third phase, and incorporates some technical inputs provided by the ILO. The said Bill replaces the draft Industrial Relations Act of 2003 as part of an ongoing effort, commenced in 2003, to review and consolidate the labour legislation. To this end, section 257 of the current Bill repeals the Industrial Organizations Act, the Industrial Relations Act, the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act of 1992, the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act of 1998, the Public Service Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and the Teaching Service Conciliation and Arbitration Act.

Power of the minister to assess collective agreements on grounds of public interest. Previously, the Committee had requested the Government to amend section 32 of the draft Industrial Relations Act of 2003, which confers a broad power on the Minister of Labour to assess collective agreements on grounds of public interest – a principle that also applied to the public sector. The draft legislation had stated that “The minister may, on behalf of the State, appeal as of right against the making of an award or order (including an award or order made by consent) or the certification of an agreement, on the ground that the making of the award or order, or the certification of the agreement, is contrary to public interest”. In this respect, the Committee notes that this provision has been retained in the most recent draft legislation – as section 32(1) of the third draft Industrial Relations Bill. Noting the Government’s indication that section 32 of the draft Bill has been highlighted for further review in January 2007, and that further improvements are needed to ensure the legislation’s compatibility with the Convention, the Committee recalls once again that such legislative provisions will only be compatible with the Convention if they merely stipulate that approval of collective agreements may be refused if the collective agreement has a procedural flaw, or does not conform to the minimum standards laid down by general labour legislation, and requests the Government to take measures to ensure that section 32(1) of the third draft Industrial Relations Bill is in conformity with this principle. The Committee reiterates its hope that the technical assistance currently being provided by the ILO would contribute to the resolution of this matter.

Compulsory arbitration. The Committee had previously noted that the previous draft industrial relations legislation appeared to institute a system of compulsory arbitration when conciliation between the parties failed. The Committee notes in this regard that sections 151 and 152 of the previous draft Industrial Relations Act – which appeared to grant the commissioner the authority to commence compulsory arbitration proceedings where the power to initiate conciliation proceedings had not previously been exercised – have been retained as sections 151 and 152 of the third draft Industrial Relations Bill. In this connection, the Committee noted with regret the Government’s indication that it has opted to retain the same approach and system of compulsory arbitration, without significant changes from the previous draft legislation. Nevertheless, the Government had indicated that the sections concerning dispute settlement in the third draft Industrial Relations Bill would be subject to further deliberation at the National Tripartite Consultative Council meeting in early 2007, following which amendments would be drafted by an interim national consultant. In these circumstances, the Committee requests the Government to amend sections 151 and 152 of the third draft Industrial Relations Bill, so as to ensure that compulsory arbitration may only be possible for public servants engaged in the administration of the State or in the framework of essential services in the strict sense of the term.

The Committee expresses its hope that its comments will be fully taken into account in the finalization of the third draft Industrial Relations Bill and asks the Government to transmit a copy of the said legislation once it is adopted.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.

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The Committee takes note of the information contained in the Government’s report. It notes in particular the third draft Industrial Relations Bill, which was last revised on 14 August 2006 following widespread consultations with the social partners, has entered its third phase, and incorporates some technical inputs provided by the ILO. The said Bill replaces the draft Industrial Relations Act of 2003 as part of an ongoing effort, commenced in 2003, to review and consolidate the labour legislation. To this end, section 257 of the current Bill repeals the Industrial Organizations Act, the Industrial Relations Act, the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act of 1992, the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act of 1998, the Public Service Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and the Teaching Service Conciliation and Arbitration Act.

Power of the minister to assess collective agreements on grounds of public interest. Previously, the Committee had requested the Government to amend section 32 of the draft Industrial Relations Act of 2003, which confers a broad power on the Minister of Labour to assess collective agreements on grounds of public interest – a principle that also applied to the public sector. The draft legislation had stated that “The minister may, on behalf of the State, appeal as of right against the making of an award or order (including an award or order made by consent) or the certification of an agreement, on the ground that the making of the award or order, or the certification of the agreement, is contrary to public interest”. In this respect, the Committee notes that this provision has been retained in the most recent draft legislation – as section 32(1) of the third draft Industrial Relations Bill. Noting the Government’s indication that section 32 of the draft Bill has been highlighted for further review in January 2007, and that further improvements are needed to ensure the legislation’s compatibility with the Convention, the Committee recalls once again that such legislative provisions will only be compatible with the Convention if they merely stipulate that approval of collective agreements may be refused if the collective agreement has a procedural flaw, or does not conform to the minimum standards laid down by general labour legislation, and requests the Government to take measures to ensure that section 32(1) of the third draft Industrial Relations Bill is in conformity with this principle. The Committee reiterates its hope that the technical assistance currently being provided by the ILO would contribute to the resolution of this matter.

Compulsory arbitration. The Committee had previously noted that the previous draft industrial relations legislation appeared to institute a system of compulsory arbitration when conciliation between the parties failed. The Committee notes in this regard that sections 151 and 152 of the previous draft Industrial Relations Act – which appeared to grant the commissioner the authority to commence compulsory arbitration proceedings where the power to initiate conciliation proceedings had not previously been exercised – have been retained as sections 151 and 152 of the third draft Industrial Relations Bill. In this connection, the Committee notes with regret the Government’s indication that it has opted to retain the same approach and system of compulsory arbitration, without significant changes from the previous draft legislation. The Committee also notes, nevertheless, that in its 2007 report to the Committee on the application of Convention No. 87, the Government had indicated that the sections concerning dispute settlement in the third draft Industrial Relations Bill would be subject to further deliberation at the National Tripartite Consultative Council meeting in early 2007, following which amendments would be drafted by an interim national consultant. In these circumstances, the Committee requests the Government to amend sections 151 and 152 of the third draft Industrial Relations Bill, so as to ensure that compulsory arbitration may only be possible for public servants engaged in the administration of the State or in the framework of essential services in the strict sense of the term.

The Committee expresses its hope that its comments will be fully taken into account in the finalization of the third draft Industrial Relations Bill and asks the Government to transmit a copy of the said legislation once it is adopted.

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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 noted that a major legislative review was being undertaken in relation to all labour legislation.

In its previous comments, the Committee had asked the Government to inform it of any progress made regarding the adoption of amendments repealing section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act and section 52 of the Public Service Conciliation and Arbitration Act which give the authorities a discretionary power to cancel arbitration awards or declare wage agreements void when they are contrary to government policy or national interest.

The Committee noted that a previous report of the Government indicates that those sections are intended to be amended by article 32 of the Draft Industrial Relations Bill, 2003, which states: “The minister may, on behalf of the State, appeal as of right against the making of an award or order (including an award or order made by consent) or the certification of an agreement, on the ground that the making of the award or order, or the certification of the agreement, is contrary to public interest.”

Noting that article 32 of the Draft Industrial Relations Bill, 2003, is a certain improvement in regard to the issues raised above, the Committee had observed that it confers a broad power to the Minister of Labour to assess collective agreements on grounds of public interest. Recalling that legislative provisions will only be compatible with the Convention if they merely stipulate that approval of collective agreements may be refused if the collective agreement has a procedural flaw or does not conform to the minimum standards laid down by general labour legislation (see General Survey on freedom of association and collective bargaining, 1994, paragraph 251), the Committee requests the Government to take measures to ensure that article 32 of the Draft Industrial Relations Bill, 2003, is in conformity with this principle. The Committee hopes that the ILO technical assistance currently in progress will contribute to the resolution of this problem.

Finally, the Committee noted that the Draft Industrial Relations Bill seemed to institute a system of compulsory arbitration when conciliation between parties fails. The Committee recalls that, in general, compulsory arbitration should only be possible in the framework of essential services in the strict sense of the term.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.

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The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report. In particular, it notes that a major legislative review is now being undertaken in relation to all labour legislation.

In its previous comments, the Committee had asked the Government to inform it of any progress made regarding the adoption of amendments repealing section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act and section 52 of the Public Service Conciliation and Arbitration Act which give the authorities a discretionary power to cancel arbitration awards or declare wage agreements void when they are contrary to government policy or national interest.

The Committee notes that the Government’s report indicates that those sections are intended to be amended by article 32 of the Draft Industrial Relations Bill, 2003, which states: "The minister may, on behalf of the State, appeal as of right against the making of an award or order (including an award or order made by consent) or the certification of an agreement, on the ground that the making of the award or order, or the certification of the agreement, is contrary to public interest."

Noting that article 32 of the Draft Industrial Relations Bill, 2003, is a certain improvement in regard to the issues raised above, the Committee observes that it confers a broad power to the Minister of Labour to assess collective agreements on grounds of public interest. Recalling that legislative provisions will only be compatible with the Convention if they merely stipulate that approval of collective agreements may be refused if the collective agreement has a procedural flaw or does not conform to the minimum standards laid down by general labour legislation (see General Survey on freedom of association and collective bargaining, 1994, paragraph 251), the Committee requests the Government to take measures to ensure that article 32 of the Draft Industrial Relations Bill, 2003, is in conformity with this principle. The Committee hopes that the ILO technical assistance currently in progress will contribute to the resolution of this problem.

Finally, the Committee notes that the Draft Industrial Relations Bill seems to institute a system of compulsory arbitration when conciliation between parties fails. The Committee recalls that, in general, compulsory arbitration should only be possible in the framework of essential services in the strict sense of the term.

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The Committee notes the Government’s report. In its previous comments, the Committee had asked the Government to amend section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act and section 52 of the Public Service Conciliation and Arbitration Act, which give the authorities a discretionary power to cancel arbitration awards or declare wages agreements void when they are contrary to government policy or national interest.

The Government indicates that the national labour legislation was reviewed with ILO technical assistance, to ensure its compliance with the fundamental ILO Conventions. The Industrial Relations Policy Reform and Drafting Instruction have been endorsed by the National Tripartite Consultative Council in July 2000. The Policy Reform was submitted to the National Executive Council in November 2000 and the Drafting Instruction was submitted to the Legislative Council. However, due to errors in the Drafting Instruction, particularly as regards appeals in the public service, the Department of Personnel Management requested the Department of Labour and Employment to re-examine the document. The National Executive Council will examine the Policy once the issues raised by the Department of Personnel Management are dealt with.

The Committee expresses the firm hope that the issues raised concerning the Drafting Instruction will be examined without delay, so that the amendments repealing section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act and section 52 of the Public Service Conciliation and Arbitration Act may be adopted in the very near future. The Committee asks the Government to inform it of any progress made in this regard and to send a copy of the amended legislation as soon as it is adopted.

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The Committee notes the Government's report. In its previous comments, the Committee had asked the Government to amend national legislation which gave the authorities discretionary power to cancel arbitration awards or declare wages agreements void when they were contrary to government policy or national interest (section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act and section 52 of the Public Service (Conciliation and Arbitration Act)). The Committee notes the Government's statement that in a recent development, the Department of Industrial Relations with ILO technical cooperation had undertaken a major "industrial relations policy reform" exercise. The proposed Industrial Relations Act is now going through its final stages of preparation and corrects the two provisions referred to by the Committee. The Committee expresses the hope that the two provisions in question will be repealed in the very near future so as to bring national legislation into conformity with Article 4 of the Convention. It asks the Government to inform it of any progress made in this regard in its next report.

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The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report.

In its previous comments, the Committee has asked the Government to amend national legislation which gave the authorities discretionary power to cancel arbitration awards or declare wages agreements void when they were contrary to government policy or national interest (section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act and section 52 of the Public Service (Conciliation and Arbitration Act).

The Committee notes the Government's statement that the Department of Industrial Relations has already made a submission for a Certificate of Amendment to the state Solicitor's Office of the Department of the Attorney-General. Upon granting of this certificate, a policy submission to the competent authorities would be made towards repealing the above two provisions from the Acts respectively.

The Committee expresses the hope that the two provisions in question will be repealed in the very near future so as to bring national legislation into conformity with Article 4 of the Convention. It asks the Government to inform it of any progress made in this regard in its next report.

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The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report.

The Committee had asked the Government to amend the national legislation which gives the authorities discretionary power to cancel arbitration awards or declare wages agreements void when they are contrary to government policy or national interest (section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act and section 52 of the Public Service Conciliation and Arbitration Act), contrary to Article 4 of the Convention.

The Committee notes that the Government states in its report that it has made a formal request to the ILO's multidisciplinary team in Manila to assist with the drafting of the country objectives for Papua New Guinea. The Government adds that it is hoped that the amendments to this legislation will be incorporated into the legislation during the forthcoming review of the legislation.

The Committee expresses the firm hope that the necessary amendments will be adopted at an early date to bring this legislation into conformity with the requirements of Article 4 of the Convention. It asks the Government to supply information in its next report on any progress made in this regard.

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The Committee notes with regret that for the second consecutive year the Government's report has not been received. It therefore repeats its previous observation which read as follows:

The Committee had asked the Government to amend the national legislation which gives the authorities discretionary power to cancel arbitration awards or declare wages agreements void when they are contrary to government policy or national interest (section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act and section 52 of the Public Service Conciliation and Arbitration Act), contrary to Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee noted that the Government stated that due to the acute shortage of manpower in the relevant department the drafting of the amendments had not yet been attended to. Noting that the Government required the full-time input of an official to look into further amendments as well, the Committee considers that this is a case where the technical assistance of the ILO should be drawn on. It thus hopes that the Government will take up this offer as soon as possible and will be able to indicate in its next report that the necessary amendments have been tabled and adopted.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

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The Committee notes with regret that for the third year in succession the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

The Committee had asked the Government to amend the national legislation which gives the authorities discretionary power to cancel arbitration awards or declare wages agreements void when they are contrary to government policy or national interest (section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act and section 52 of the Public Service Conciliation and Arbitration Act), contrary to Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee noted that the Government stated that due to the acute shortage of manpower in the relevant department the drafting of the amendments had not yet been attended to. Noting that the Government required the full-time input of an official to look into further amendments as well, the Committee considers that this is a case where the technical assistance of the ILO should be drawn on. It thus hopes that the Government will take up this offer as soon as possible and will be able to indicate in its next report that the necessary amendments have been tabled and adopted.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

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The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which dealt with the following points:

The Committee had asked the Government to amend the national legislation which gives the authorities discretionary power to cancel arbitration awards or declare wages agreements void when they are contrary to government policy or national interest (section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act and section 52 of the Public Service Conciliation and Arbitration Act), contrary to Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee noted that the Government stated that due to the acute shortage of manpower in the relevant department the drafting of the amendments had not yet been attended to. Noting that the Government required the full-time input of an official to look into further amendments as well, the Committee considers that this is a case where the technical assistance of the ILO should be drawn on. It thus hopes that the Government will take up this offer as soon as possible and will be able to indicate in its next report that the necessary amendments have been tabled and adopted.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

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With reference to its previous observations the Committee takes note of the Government's report.

The Committee had asked the Government to amend the national legislation which gives the authorities discretionary power to cancel arbitration awards or declare wages agreements void when they are contrary to government policy or national interest (section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act and section 52 of the Public Service Conciliation and Arbitration Act), contrary to Article 4 of the Convention.

The Committee notes that the Government states that due to the acute shortage of manpower in the relevant department the drafting of the amendments has not yet been attended to. Noting that the Government requires the full-time input of an official to look into further amendments as well, the Committee considers that this is a case where the technical assistance of the ILO should be drawn on. It thus hopes that the Government will take up this offer as soon as possible and, with direct help in the drafting of the necessary documents, will be able to report in its next report that the necessary amendments have been tabled and adopted.

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The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation.

The Committee recalls that its previous comments dealt with the need to amend the provisions of the national legislation which gives the authorities discretionary power to cancel arbitration awards or declare agreements concerning wages void when they are contrary to government policy or the national interest (section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act, covering the private sector, and section 52 of the Public Service and Teaching Conciliation and Arbitration Act, as amended in 1983). In its previous reports, the Government indicated that over the past 21 years it had only made use of the powers conferred upon it to modify an arbitration award on three occasions, but it also indicated that measures would be taken to amend these provisions of the national legislation in accordance with Article 4 of the Convention. In its last report, the Government limits itself to indicating that due to the material difficulties affecting the Department of Labour and Employment, the proposed amendments to which it had referred have not been completed and that examination of the matter has been postponed. In these circumstances, the Committee once again recalls that the obligation to submit an arbitration award or a wages agreement to the approval of the authorities, which may declare clauses void because they run counter to the policy or the national interest, is incompatible with Article 4 of the Convention. A system of official approval is acceptable only in so far as the approval can be refused on grounds of form and where the clauses of a collective agreement do not conform to the minimum standards set out in the labour law. Furthermore, rather than subject the validity of collective agreements to government approval, steps should be taken to persuade the parties to collective bargaining to have regard voluntarily in their negotiations to major economic and social policy considerations and the general interest invoked by the Government. To achieve this, the considerations should be widely discussed by all parties at the national level through a consultative body. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to take measures to amend the law to give effect to its comments and to supply information in its next report on the progress achieved in this respect. It also requests the Government to supply detailed information on cases in which it has used the powers conferred upon it by the legislation to modify the clauses of an arbitration award or wage agreement, and on the effect given to the Convention in practice (number of collective agreements, sectors, workers covered).

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.

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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 its previous comments dealt with the need to amend the provisions of the national legislation which gives the authorities discretionary power to cancel arbitration awards or declare agreements concerning wages void when they are contrary to government policy or the national interest (section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act, covering the private sector, and section 52 of the Public Service and Teaching Conciliation and Arbitration Act, as amended in 1983). In its previous reports, the Government indicated that over the past 21 years it had only made use of the powers conferred upon it to modify an arbitration award on three occasions, but it also indicated that measures would be taken to amend these provisions of the national legislation in accordance with Article 4 of the Convention. In its last report, the Government limits itself to indicating that due to the material difficulties affecting the Department of Labour and Employment, the proposed amendments to which it had referred have not been completed and that examination of the matter has been postponed. In these circumstances, the Committee once again recalls that the obligation to submit an arbitration award or a wages agreement to the approval of the authorities, which may declare clauses void because they run counter to the policy or the national interest, is incompatible with Article 4 of the Convention. A system of official approval is acceptable only in so far as the approval can be refused on grounds of form and where the clauses of a collective agreement do not conform to the minimum standards set out in the labour law. Furthermore, rather than subject the validity of collective agreements to government approval, steps should be taken to persuade the parties to collective bargaining to have regard voluntarily in their negotiations to major economic and social policy considerations and the general interest invoked by the Government. To achieve this, the considerations should be widely discussed by all parties at the national level through a consultative body. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to take measures to amend the law to give effect to its comments and to supply information in its next report on the progress achieved in this respect. It also requests the Government to supply detailed information on cases in which it has used the powers conferred upon it by the legislation to modify the clauses of an arbitration award or wage agreement, and on the effect given to the Convention in practice (number of collective agreements, sectors, workers covered).

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The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.

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The Committee notes the Government's report and recalls that its previous comments dealt with the need to amend the provisions of the national legislation which give the authorities discretionary power to cancel arbitration awards or agreements concerning wages void when they are contrary to government policy or the national interest (section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act, covering the private sector, and section 52 of the Public Service and Teaching Conciliation and Arbitration Act, as amended in 1983).

In its previous reports, the Government indicated that over the past 21 years it had only made use of the powers conferred upon it to modify an arbitration award on three occasions, but it also indicated that measures would be taken to amend these provisions of the national legislation in accordance with Article 4 of the Convention.

In its last report, the Government limits itself to indicating that due to the material difficulties affecting the Department of Labour and Employment, the proposed amendments to which it had referred have not been completed and that examination of the matter has been postponed.

In these circumstances, the Committee once again recalls that the obligation to submit an arbitration award or a wages agreement to the approval of the authorities, which may declare clauses void because they run counter to the policy or the national interest, is incompatible with Article 4 of the Convention. A system of official approval is acceptable only in so far as the approval can be refused on grounds of form and where the clauses of a collective agreement do not conform to the minimum standards set out in the labour law. Furthermore, rather than subject the validity of collective agreements to government approval, steps should be taken to persuade the parties to collective bargaining to have regard voluntarily in their negotiations to major economic and social policy considerations and the general interest invoked by the Government. To achieve this, the considerations should be widely discussed by all parties at the national level through a consultative body.

The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to take measures to amend the law to give effect to its comments and to supply information in its next report on the progress achieved in this respect. It also requests the Government to supply detailed information on cases in which it has used the powers conferred upon it by the legislation to modify the clauses of an arbitration award or wage agreement, and on the effect given to the Convention in practice (number of collective agreements, sectors, workers covered).