Effect given to the recommendations of the committee and the Governing Body - Report No 325, June 2001

Case No 1989 (Bulgaria) - Complaint date: 06-OCT-98 - Closed

Effect given to the recommendations of the Committee and the Governing Body

1. 18. When it last examined this case at its November 2000 meeting, the Committee requested the Government to keep it informed of developments with respect to any pending court cases concerning workers dismissed from the Bulgarian State Railways (BSR) following warning strikes in support of wage increases. It also requested the Government to keep it informed of the outcome of the independent commission established to examine allegations of anti-union discrimination against members of the Trade Union of Engine Personnel of Bulgaria (TUEPB) who refused to withdraw from the union [see 323rd Report, paras. 39-41].
2. 19. In a communication of 26 February 2001, the Government states that the BSR has taken the required action to implement the courts’ decisions that have come into force. As a result, drivers have been reinstated in jobs doing the same kind of work they were performing prior to their dismissal. Arising from the courts’ decisions, a Protocol presented by TUEPB was signed between BSR and the Union of the Transport Trade Unions in Bulgaria (UTTUB), the implementation of which was confirmed by an Order issued by the Director-General of BSR. The Protocol provides that BSR will finance a 14?day training course at the Centre for Professional Qualification in Sofia, for the drivers who have been reinstated. It also provides that an examination will be organized within 15 days of the completion of the training on the Regulations for the Trains Movements, the Regulations for Technical Operation, and on the Signalization Instructions. To ensure objectivity and impartiality, a UTTUB representative is to be present during the examination. The Government states further that the independent commission which was to inquire into the allegations of harassment of the members of TUEPB, is in the process of being set up.
3. 20. The Committee takes due note of the information provided by the Government, in particular the signing of a Protocol, initiated by TUEPB, providing for the retraining of the reinstated workers. The Committee, however, reiterates its request for information on the outcome of the court cases that were pending, and would like to know how many of the workers have in fact been reinstated. Once again, the Committee trusts that all the dismissed workers will be reinstated in their jobs with full compensation. The Committee also expresses the hope that the independent commission inquiring into the allegations of harassment of the TUEPB members will be able to move forward with its mandate without further delay, and asks to be kept informed in this regard.