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Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Sierra Leone (RATIFICATION: 1961)

The Committee welcomes having received the Government’s report, but it observes that it does not reply to its previous comment. The Committee expects that the next report will include the Government’s comments in relation to the observations of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), of 30 August 2013, concerning serious allegations of violations of the Convention.

Article 2 of the Convention. Right of workers and employers without distinction whatsoever to establish and join organizations. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, as a consequence of the scope (section 1) and definition of “worker” (section 2) of the Regulations of Wages and Industrial Relations Act, public officers and persons above the level of supervisor or manager cannot join or form trade unions. The Committee must recall that under the Convention: (i) the right to establish and join occupational organizations should be guaranteed for all public servants and officials (with the sole possible exception of the police and the armed forces); and (ii) while it is possible to deny managerial and executive staff the right to join the same trade unions as other workers, managers and supervisors must be guaranteed the right to join or establish their own organizations to defend their interests. The Committee requests the Government to amend the Regulations of Wages and Industrial Relations Act in order to recognize the right to establish and join unions to all workers, including public officers and persons above the level of supervisor or manager.

Recalling that for many years it has been awaiting the review of the labour laws, including on matters of freedom of association, the Committee requests the Government to provide further information on developments in law and practice, and encourages the Government, in consultation with the social partners, to ensure full compliance with the Convention. The Committee further recalls that the Government may avail itself of the technical assistance of the Office.