Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) - Liberia (Ratification: 1962)

The Committee notes with deep concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments. The Committee informs the Government that, if it has not supplied replies to the points raised by 1 September 2020, then it may proceed with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information at its disposal at its next session.

Repetition

The Committee notes the observations of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) received on 1 September 2017 concerning issues examined in the present observation as well as matters that are being dealt with by the Committee on Freedom of Association in the framework of Cases Nos 3081 and 3202.

Legislative developments. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Decent Work Act adopted in 2015 came into force on 1 March 2016 and that it ensures the rights enshrined in the Convention. The Committee recalls that for many years it has been commenting on the need to adopt legal provisions guaranteeing: (i) adequate protection against anti-union discrimination at the time of recruitment and during the employment relationship, accompanied by sufficiently effective and dissuasive sanctions; (ii) adequate protection for workers’ organizations against acts of interference by employers and their organizations, including sufficiently effective and dissuasive sanctions; and (iii) the right to collective bargaining for employees in state-owned enterprises and public servants who are not engaged in the administration of the State.

Scope of the Convention. The Committee notes that section 1.5(c)(i) and (ii) of the Decent Work Act of 2015 (the Act) excludes from its scope of application work falling within the scope of the Civil Service Agency Act. The Committee recalls, in this respect, that in its previous report, the Government had indicated that the legislation guaranteeing the right of collective bargaining of public servants and employees in state enterprises (Ordinance on the public service) was under revision with the technical assistance of the Office. The Committee notes that no information has been provided by the Government in that respect. The Committee expects that the revision of the Ordinance on the public service will make it possible to give full effect to the Convention in relation to employees in state enterprises and public servants not engaged in the administration of the State and requests the Government to report any developments in this regard.

The Committee notes that section 1.5(c)(i) and (ii) of the Act also excludes from its scope of application, officers, members of the crew and any other persons employed or in training on vessels. Noting that no information has been provided by the Government on legislation guaranteeing the right of collective bargaining to maritime workers, the Committee requests the Government to indicate how the rights enshrined in the Convention apply to these workers, including any laws or regulation, adopted or envisaged, covering them.

Article 1 of the Convention. Adequate protection against anti-union discrimination. The Committee recalls that for many years it has been requesting the Government to take measures to introduce in the legislation provisions that would ensure an effective protection against anti-union discrimination. The Committee notes that section 2.6 of the Act provides that the right to form organizations and to bargain collectively are fundamental rights and that section 2.7 prohibits discrimination in the exercise of the rights conferred by the Act. The Committee also notes that section 2.11 of the Act provides for the protection of workers’ freedom of association (stipulating, inter alia, that no person may prejudice or threaten to prejudice a worker because of past, present or anticipated membership of an organization of workers) and that section 2.12 of the Act provides for the protection of employers’ freedom of association. The Committee notes that sections 2.11 and 2.12 provide that they operate in addition to, and to the fullest extent possible together with section 2.7 of the Act, under which discrimination overall is prohibited. The Committee notes that, while the Act does not expressly prohibit termination of employment based on anti-union discrimination, section 14.8 prohibits termination because of the exercise of rights conferred by the Act. It also notes that complaints for the violation of the rights guaranteed in the Act can be lodged to the Ministry and that the Ministry’s decisions can be appealed before the Labour Court (Chapters 9 and 10 of the Act). Emphasizing the importance of ensuring effective protection against acts of anti-union discrimination and of providing for sufficiently dissuasive sanctions in this regard, the Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the sanctions applied in cases of acts of anti-union discrimination. It also requests the Government to provide statistics on the number of cases of discrimination examined, the duration of the procedures and the type of penalties and compensation ordered.

Article 2. Adequate protection against acts of interference. The Committee recalls that for many years it has been requesting the Government to take measures to introduce in the legislation provisions guaranteeing adequate protection for workers’ organizations against acts of interference by employers and their organizations, including sufficiently effective and dissuasive sanctions. The Committee notes with regret that the Act still contains no specific provisions on protection against interference. The Committee recalls that under the terms of Article 2 of the Convention, workers’ and employers’ organizations shall enjoy adequate protection against any acts of interference by each other or each other’s agents or members in their establishment, functioning or administration (see the 2012 General Survey on the fundamental Conventions, paragraph 194). The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to introduce in the legislation a prohibition of acts of interference as well as rapid appeal procedures and dissuasive sanctions against such acts. It requests the Government to report on any development in this regard.

Article 4. Promotion of collective bargaining. The Committee notes that section 37.1(a) of the Act provides that trade unions that represent the majority of the employees in an appropriate bargaining unit are able to seek recognition as exclusive bargaining agents for that bargaining unit. It also notes that a trade union that no longer represents the majority of the employees in the bargaining unit must acquire majority within three months, if not, the employer shall withdraw recognition from that trade union (section 37.1(k)). The Committee recalls that while it is acceptable that the union which represents the majority or a high percentage of workers in a bargaining unit should enjoy preferential or exclusive bargaining rights, it considers that in cases where no union meets these conditions, or does not enjoy such exclusive rights, minority trade unions should at least be able to conclude a collective or direct agreement on behalf of their own members (see General Survey, op. cit., paragraph 226). The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether, if no union represents the majority of the employees in an appropriate bargaining unit, the minority unions in the same unit enjoy collective bargaining rights, at least on behalf of their members.

Settlement of disputes affecting national interest. The Committee notes that section 42.1 of the Act provides that if the President considers it in the national interest, the President may: (i) request the Minister to appoint a conciliator to conciliate any dispute, or potential dispute, between employers and their organizations on the one hand and employees and their trade unions on the other hand; or (ii) in consultation with the National Tripartite Council, appoint a panel of persons representing the interests of employers, employees and the State to investigate any industrial conflict or potential conflict for the purpose of reporting and making recommendations to the President. Recalling that, pursuant to Article 4 of the Convention, the settlement of collective disputes must be consistent with the promotion of free and collective bargaining, the Committee requests the Government to provide additional information with respect to the prerogatives under section 42.1 of the Act, and to indicate the extent to which this provision provides the parties with complete freedom of collective bargaining and does not alter the principle of voluntary arbitration.

The Committee expects that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.