Effect given to the recommendations of the committee and the Governing Body - REPORT_NO372, June 2014

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

1. 15. At its last examination of the case, at its October 2013 meeting [see 370th Report, paras 22–26], the Committee had requested the Government to take all necessary measures to grant the Confederation of Public Sector Unions (CSP) legal existence in order to enable it to represent its members and exercise all attendant rights. The Committee also requested information on the situation of the seven trade union members who were arrested during the sit-in on 11 November 2010 and whose case had been referred to the Court of First Instance of Mfoundi (Yaoundé administrative section), in particular all judicial decisions issued in this regard, and all enquiries made into the allegations of police violence against trade union members on strike, and concerning the conditions under which the trade unions officials were detained and the ill-treatment to which they were subjected. Lastly, the Committee had requested the Government to keep it informed of any developments concerning the adoption of the single Act on trade unions.
2. 16. In a communication dated 3 January 2014, the Government indicates that the case of the seven trade union members arrested in November 2010 following a sit-in is still pending before the courts and it assures the Committee that the rights of these union members will be respected. The Government also refers to the expectation that the adoption of the single Act on trade unions will bring an end to the rift between public and private sector trade unions.
3. 17. The Committee takes note of the Government’s brief communication. It notes with regret that the Government makes no mention of the measures requested to grant the CSP legal existence. The Committee recalls that this legal existence is necessary in order to enable the trade union confederation to represent its members and exercise all attendant rights and expects the Government to take measures to this end without further delay.
4. 18. Moreover, regarding the seven trade union members arrested in November 2010 following a sit-in, the Committee notes with concern that the case is still pending before the courts. The Committee is bound to remind the Government that any further delay of justice could result in a denial of justice and also hinder the exercise of trade union activities by the persons concerned (namely, Mr Bikoko, Jean-Marc, President of the CSP; Mr Phouet Foé, Maurice, General Secretary of SNAEF; Mr Mbassi Ondoa, Thobie, Director-General of FECASE; Mr Nla’a, Eric, Accountant of the CSP; Mr Ze, Joseph, General Secretary of SNUIPEN; Mr Felein Clause, Charles, a member of SNUIPEN; and Mr Nkili, Effoa, a member of SNUIPEN). The Committee expects the Government to report without delay on the judicial decisions issued in relation to this case. Regarding the allegations of police violence against trade union members on strike and of poor detention conditions, the Government had previously indicated that the judiciary operates transparently and independently. The Committee requests the Government to report on the judicial findings in this regard.
5. 19. Lastly, the Committee strongly urges the Government to expedite the procedure for the adoption of the single Act on trade unions and to report on progress made in this regard.