Effect given to the recommendations of the committee and the Governing Body - Report No 333, March 2004

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

1. 177. At its November 2003 session, the Committee urged once again the Government to take the necessary measures to amend section 120 of the Labour Relations Act, which gives sweeping powers to the Government to interfere in the running of the affairs of trade unions and asked to be kept informed of developments in this regard.
2. 178. In a communication dated 14 January 2004, the Government states that it stands by its earlier position and that it does not intend to amend section 120. Furthermore, the Government states that, “the sole and primary purpose of trade union is to champion workers’ rights at the workplace and not to dabble in political activity”.
3. 179. The Committee takes note of the Government’s reply and deeply regrets that no progress whatsoever has been achieved in this matter.
4. 180. Noting the Government’s recent ratification of the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), the Committee trusts that the Government will make every effort to ensure that its legislation is brought into full conformity with the provisions of the Convention. In this respect, it recalls that according to Article 3 of the Convention, workers’ and employers’ organizations shall have the right to organize their administration and activities and to formulate their programmes and that public authorities shall refrain from any interference, which would restrict this right or impede the lawful exercise thereof. The Committee therefore draws the attention of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations to this case.