Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

The Committee recalls that in its previous observation it took note of the situation in Chiapas, and suggested that the Government might wish to have recourse to the technical assistance of the International Labour Office in order to increase basic protection for indigenous workers' rights and to improve working conditions. It notes further the discussion which took place on this point during the Conference in June 1995, and that the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards urged the Government to pursue this possibility.

The Committee notes that a representative of the Director-General has held preliminary discussions on this point in Mexico, and that a request has been received during its session for the Office to work with the Government in this respect, by methods which are to be settled in the near future.

The Committee hopes that the Office's collaboration will assist the Government in overcoming obstacles to providing to the indigenous peoples the full protection of the national labour law, as required by the present Convention. It also hopes the Government will be in a position to provide information on the outcome of its consultations with the Office, in its next report.

Finally, the Committee hopes that the Government will provide detailed information in its next report on the points raised in its previous comments.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 1996.]