Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Lesotho (Ratification: 1966)

Article 2 of the Convention. Public officers’ associations. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to indicate if public officers’ associations were subject to the obligations requiring a registered society to supply to the Registrar-General, upon his order at any time, a list of office-bearers and members of the society, the number and place of meetings held within the preceding six months, and such accounts, returns and other information as he thinks fit (section 14(b), (c) and (d) of the Societies Act), or whether they fall within the exception in section 14(2) of the Societies Act. The Committee notes that the Government has not replied in this regard. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information in relation to the obligations imposed on public officers’ associations under the Societies Act.

Article 3. Public Services Act. Restrictions on the exercise of activities and compensatory guarantees. In its previous comments, the Committee had requested the Government to amend section 19 of the Public Services Act (2005) so as to ensure that the prohibition of the right to strike in the public service is limited to public servants exercising authority in the name of the State; and to ensure adequate compensatory guarantees for those workers deprived of the right to strike. The Committee notes that the Government indicates that discussions between the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Public Service concerning possible legislative amendment, put on hold by political unrest, are expected to recommence soon. The Committee firmly hopes that the Government will be in a position to report on concrete steps taken in order to ensure that public servants other than those exercising authority in the name of the State are able to exercise the right to strike and that adequate compensatory guarantees exist for workers who are deprived of the right to strike.