Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Armenia (Ratification: 2005)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee notes the observations from the Confederation of Trade Unions of Armenia (CTUA), received on 14 October 2020. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this regard.

Article 5(1) of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. The Committee welcomes the detailed information provided by the Government in its report. It notes that, pursuant to the Republican Collective Agreement, all draft labour legislation or regulation concerning workers’ rights or labour relations is submitted to the Republican Tripartite Commission (RTC). The Government reports that, during the period 2016−19, the RTC examined a range of draft laws related to, among other things, the modification of the labour code, voluntary work, occupational safety and health and other employment regulations, as well as the Agreement with Bulgaria on regulating labour migration. The Committee notes with interest that the draft Decent Work Country Programme was submitted to the RTC on 3 May 2019 for discussion, and subsequently adopted by the tripartite partners on 14 May 2019. The Government indicates that, in addition to submitting these matters to the RTC, these are also transmitted directly to the Republican Union of Employers of Armenia (RUEA) and the CTUA by official letter. The Government adds that draft replies to reports made to the ILO pursuant to articles 19 and 22 of the ILO Constitution are always submitted to the social partners, as was the case for the ILO Centenary Declaration. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the content and outcome of tripartite consultations held on all matters concerning international labour standards covered by the Convention, particularly relating to: the questionnaires on the Conference agenda items (Article 5(1)(a)); the submission of instruments adopted by the Conference to the National Assembly (Article 5(1)(b); the re-examination at appropriate intervals of unratified Conventions and Recommendations to which effect has not yet been given (Article 5(1)(c)); questions arising out of reports to be presented on the application of ratified Conventions (Article 5(1)(d)); and the possible denunciation of ratified Conventions (Article 5(1)(e)).

In the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee recalls the comprehensive guidance provided by international labour standards. It encourages the Government to engage in tripartite consultation and social dialogue more broadly as a solid foundation for developing and implementing effective responses to the profound socio-economic impacts of the pandemic. The Committee invites the Government to provide updated information in its next report on measures taken in this respect, in accordance with Article 4 of the Convention and Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Recommendation No. 152, including with regard to steps taken to build the capacity of the tripartite constituents and strengthen mechanisms and procedures, as well as challenges and good practices identified.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

The Committee notes the observations of the Republican Union of Employers of Armenia (RUEA) and the Confederation of Trade Unions of Armenia (CTUA), communicated with the Government’s report.

Article 5(1) of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. The Government indicates in its report that a new Republican Collective Agreement was signed on 1 August 2015 between the Government, the RUEA and the CTUA. In line with this agreement, a Republican Tripartite Commission was established. In its observations, the CTUA indicates that the meetings of the Republican Tripartite Commission are held irregularly, whereas the meetings should be held at least once every three months according to the Commission’s agenda. With respect to matters concerning international labour standards, the Government indicates that, within the framework of the ILO’s Future of Work initiative, research will be conducted on the reports by the Government in relation to the application of ratified ILO Conventions to identify discrepancies and present recommendations for compliance, as well as with regard to the ratification of unratified Conventions. In its precedent observations received in 2012, the CTUA indicates that it addressed a request to the Government to consider the ratification of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), the Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184), and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187). The Committee notes in this regard that the Government is examining the possibility of ratifying these Conventions. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the content and outcome of tripartite consultations held on all matters concerning international labour standards covered by the Convention, particularly relating to the questionnaires on the Conference agenda items (Article 5(1)(a)); the submission of instruments adopted by the Conference to the National Assembly (Article 5(1)(b); the re-examination at appropriate intervals of unratified Conventions and Recommendations to which effect has not yet been given (Article 5(1)(c)); questions arising out of reports to be presented on the application of ratified Conventions (Article 5(1)(d)); and the possible denunciation of ratified Conventions (Article 5(1)(e)).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in July 2013 and the observations made by the Republican Union of Employers of Armenia (RUEA), the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and the Confederation of Trade Unions of Armenia (CTUA). The Government indicates that in recent years progress has been made on social partnership at the national level. The Committee notes the issues discussed in 2012 by the National Tripartite Committee which included mandatory insurance against occupational accidents and diseases and the 2013–18 draft Strategy on Employment in the Republic of Armenia. The RUEA indicates that the social partners’ suggestions regarding issues discussed at the National Tripartite Committee very often are not included in the legal acts presented to the National Assembly. Moreover, the Committee notes a communication received in 2012 from the CTUA indicating that consultations related to international labour standards mentioned in Article 5(1) of the Convention were not held. The CTUA adds that it addressed a request to the Government to consider the ratification of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), the Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184), and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187). The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report detailed information on the content and outcome of the consultations held on each of the matters concerning international labour standards covered by Article 5(1) of the Convention, including consultations to re-examine the prospects of ratification of unratified Conventions (Article 5(1)(c)).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2012 in reply to the 2011 direct request. The Government indicates that sessions of the National Tripartite Committee are held upon request but at least once every three months. The Committee notes that discussions held during the sessions of the National Tripartite Committee in 2011 included the current state of affairs and problems regarding the preparation of reports, communication and other materials required by ILO Conventions. The Committee invites the Government to provide detailed information on the consultations held during the period covered by the next report explaining the particulars of discussions regarding the preparation of reports and related materials pursuant to ILO obligations. In providing this information, the Committee hopes that the Government will address each of the matters concerning international labour standards listed in Article 5(1) of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in November 2010, including information on the tripartite agreement signed on 27 April 2009. It further notes the contributions made by the social partners to the Government’s report. Under the tripartite agreement, a National Tripartite Committee was formed and approved. The Committee notes that the topics discussed during the sessions of the National Tripartite Committee do not include matters relating to international labour standards covered by the Convention. The Committee therefore asks the Government to provide detailed information on the consultations held on each of the matters concerning international labour standards listed in Article 5(1) of the Convention, including information on the frequency of such consultations and the nature of reports or recommendations made as a result of the consultations.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2005 direct request, which read as follows:

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention received in October 2007. It notes that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs conducts seminars with the representatives of employers and trade unions. It further notes that the Government’s report only mentions the consultations required on drawing up the reports on the application of ratified Conventions (Article 5(1)(d) of the Convention). The Committee therefore invites the Government to provide information on consultations held on all the matters related to international labour standards covered by the Convention, specifying their subject, frequency and the nature of any reports or recommendations resulting from the consultations.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention received in October 2007. It notes that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs conducts seminars with the representatives of employers and trade unions. It further notes that the Government’s report only mentions the consultations required on drawing up the reports on the application of ratified Conventions (Article 5, paragraph 1(d), of the Convention). The Committee therefore invites the Government to provide information on consultations held on all the matters related to international labour standards covered by the Convention, specifying their subject, frequency and the nature of any reports or recommendations resulting from the consultations.