Effect given to the recommendations of the committee and the Governing Body - REPORT_NO343, November 2006

Effect given to the recommendations of the Committee and the Governing Body

1. 199. At its meeting in June 2004, the Committee noted the sharp fall, from 95 per cent to 16 per cent, in the proportion of workers in all sectors covered by collective agreements, a fact that was not denied by the Government. Furthermore, the Committee requested the Government to examine, with the complainant and all other concerned parties, the state of collective bargaining in the graphic arts sector, and to communicate the measures taken to promote collective bargaining in that sector [see 334th Report, para. 812, approved by the Governing Body at its 290th Session (June 2004)]. At its meeting in March 2005, the Committee reiterated its earlier recommendations [see 336th Report, paras. 132-134].
2. 200. In a communication dated 25 April 2006, the Government indicated that since the date of the last report, various changes have been made in labour relations and that in May 2005, the Government convened the Wages Councils, tripartite cooperative bodies whose principal tasks are to set wages and categories. In that regard, an atmosphere of collective bargaining was fostered in the various sectors. Graphics workers remained included in group No. 17 (National Executive Decree No. 138/05) and in that group of activity the following three subgroups were created: (a) general printing works; (b) journalistic enterprises (the press); and (c) advertising on public highways. Collective agreements were reached in the three groups of activity lasting one year and expiring on 30 April 2006. In addition, there are already plans to convene another session of the Wages Councils in early May.
3. 201. The Committee notes this information with interest.