Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 1993, publiée 80ème session CIT (1993)

The Committee takes note of the information contained in the Government's report.

The Committee recalls that its previous comments have addressed the following issues:

- the need to adopt a Trade Union Recognition Bill;

- the need to amend the Public Utility Undertakings and Public Health Services Arbitration Act (Cap. 54:01) which confers on the Minister broad powers to refer a dispute in the services listed in the schedule (which may be revised at the discretion of the Minister) to a tribunal for arbitration without having previously obtained the agreement of the two parties, and renders workers who take part in an illegal strike liable to a fine or two months' imprisonment (section 19).

The Committee notes from the Government's report that the Trade Union Recognition Bill was laid in Parliament and received its first reading in September 1991, but that the second reading was deferred as a result of objections raised by one of the parties to certain sections of the Bill. The Government indicates that further discussions are to be held with a view to clarifying those sections with which there is disagreement. The Committee further notes that the Government has taken note of its comments and that the amendments to the Act are still under consideration.

The Committee reiterates once again the hope that, as part of the present review of the legislation, the Act (Cap. 54:01) will be amended to bring the legislation in line with the Convention. It requests the Government to provide detailed information on developments in this respect in its next report.