Compilation of decisions of the Committee on Freedom of Association

Right of organizations to elect their representatives in full freedom7

Eligibility conditions

Duration of membership of the organization

1. A provision laying down as one of the eligibility requirements for trade union office that the candidate must have belonged to the organization for at least one year could be interpreted as meaning that all trade union leaders must belong to the occupation or work in the undertaking in which the trade union represents the workers. In this event, if the requirement were applied to all office-holders in trade union organizations, it would be incompatible with the principles of freedom of association.

1. A provision requiring any trade union leader to have been a member of the trade union for not less than six months implies an important restriction on the right of workers organizations to elect their representatives in full freedom.