Seguimiento dado a las recomendaciones del Comité y del Consejo de Administración - Informe núm. 349, Marzo 2008

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

1. 197. The Committee last examined this case at its June 2006 meeting when it strongly urged the Government to lift immediately the ban on trade union activities at Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) and to restore without delay the rights of the KESC Democratic Mazdoor Union as a collective bargaining agent [346th Report, paras 142–144].
2. 198. In its communication dated 13 June 2007, the Government indicates that trade union activities in the KESC have started and that a referendum to determine the collective bargaining agent (CBA) has been ordered by the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC). In its subsequent communication, dated 6 November 2007, the Government indicates that there is no restriction on union activities in the KESC. The referendum to elect a new CBA is under way and the following unions, including the complainant trade union, are taking part in it: the KESC Ltd Democratic Mazdoor Union, the KESC Ltd Labour Union, the KESC Ltd Peoples’ Workers’ Union, the KESC Ltd United Workers’ Front, the KESC Ltd Masawal Workers’ Union and the KESC Ltd Employees’ Power League. The Government further explains that, at first, the referendum was set, with the consent of all participating trade unions, for 25 November 2006. However, the referendum could not be held due to the issuance of a prohibitory order by the chairperson of the NIRC. The KESC management has filed an appeal before the NIRC bench against the order of its chairperson. The referendum will proceed as soon as the case pending before the NIRC bench is decided. Further delay was due to the fact that the KESC Ltd Democratic Mazdoor Union applied to the NIRC chairperson with a request to grant voting rights to contract employees, which the NIRC allowed. Finally, all unions will be participating in the referendum. There is no ban or restriction on union activities in the KESC.
3. 199. The Committee takes due note of the information provided by the Government. The Committee, stressing the need for social dialogue to be re-established, expects that the referendum for determining the CBA will take place in the very near future and requests the Government to keep it informed of its outcome.