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Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Eswatini (RATIFICATION: 1978)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received.

The Committee takes note of the report of the High-level Mission that visited the country from 21 to 27 June 2006 at the request of the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards in 2005 in the context of its examination of the application of this Convention.

In its previous direct request, the Committee asked the Government to keep it informed of any bills or acts that would affect the rights of civil servants. It notes in this connection that, according to the Mission’s report, civil servants are covered by the Industrial Relations Act (IRA).

In its previous comments, on the matter of sympathy strikes the Committee reminded the Government that a general prohibition on such strikes could lead to abuse and that workers should be able to take such action provided the initial strike they are supporting is itself lawful (see General Survey of 1994 on freedom of association and collective bargaining, paragraph 168). Consequently, the Committee asks the Government to state whether, in practice, workers may engage in sympathy strikes without incurring sanctions.