Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Ratification: 2001)

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. In its previous comment, the Committee referred to the need to amend sections 11(3) and 25 of the Trade Union Act (TUA), so as to eliminate the discretionary authority of the Registrar in respect of the registration of trade unions and to limit the powers of the Registrar to conduct investigations into the accounts of trade unions. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that following a series of consultations with the social partners, the revised Labour Relations Bill (LRB) is before the Cabinet. According to the Government, the revised Bill addresses the above-mentioned issues and once enacted, will repeal the TUA. The Committee welcomes draft sections 16 and 19 of the LRB, which would repeal the discretionary authority of the Registrar regarding registration of organizations and limit the power of the Registrar to receiving an organization’s annual return. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on all developments regarding the adoption of the LRB, which it expects to be in full conformity with the Convention, and to provide a copy of the Act once adopted.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.