Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2004, publiée 93ème session CIT (2005)

The Committee notes the observations made by the Independent Workers’ Union (IWU) concerning the alleged non-payment of an agreed gratuity to 500 employees of Harepark S.P., a state-owned and managed tea plantation which has since been leased to a private enterprise. The IWU indicates that prior to leasing its tea plantations to private individuals, the Government had made a commitment to pay all its employees at Harepark a gratuity by 31 January 2003, but later reneged on its commitment and this has led to an ongoing strike at the Harepark plantation. The IWU further indicates that the estimated sum of money owing to the workers amounts to 1.6 million euros by way of gratuity and 500,000 euros from the Employer Provident and Trust Fund. The Committee recalls that this point has also been raised in connection with the Plantations Convention, 1958 (No. 110), and once again invites the Government to make the comments it considers appropriate on the observations of the IWU.