Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Honduras (Ratification: 2012)

The Committee notes the observations of the Honduran National Business Council (COHEP) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), received on 31 August 2018 and 1 September 2018, respectively. The Committee also notes the Government’s replies to these observations.

Articles 2(1) and 5(1) of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. In reply to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that in September 2014 consultations were held with the social partners in the Economic and Social Council (CES) to examine the possible ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC, 2006). The Committee notes with interest that the ratification of the Convention was registered on 6 June 2016. The Government adds that between June and August 2017, the Executive Secretariat of the CES, together with the Department of External Cooperation of the Secretariat of Labour and Social Security (STSS), convened a tripartite meeting with employers and workers to comment on the Government’s reports on ratified and unratified Conventions. The Government provides copies of the communications in writing sent on 20 August 2018 to employers and workers so that they could provide their respective observations on the Government’s reports on ratified Conventions, in accordance with article 23 of the ILO Constitution. The Government also refers to the tripartite consultations held in the CES in relation to the various national labour initiatives, such as the Act on labour inspection, the Act on social inclusion for self-employed and own-account workers, the National Employment Policy and the Act on free, prior and informed consultation, adopted in accordance with the call made by the Committee on the Application of Standards in relation to the application of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169). The Committee also notes that in its observations the COHEP denies that tripartite consultations were held on the subjects relating to international labour standards set out in Article 5 of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing detailed and updated information on the consultations held on each of the matters relating to international labour standards covered by Article 5(1)(a)–(e) of the Convention.

Article 4. Training. In reply to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that on 11 February 2018 it requested ILO technical assistance in relation to the matters covered by the Convention. The Committee also notes the indication by the COHEP that there has been a re-structuring of the composition of the CES, including the establishment of an administrative structure that is independent of the STSS with a view to improving the operation of the Council. It indicates that, since January 2018, the employers have assumed the presidency of the CES and that monthly meetings are currently being convened. Finally, the Committee notes the COHEP’s indication that, through the Sectoral Decent Employment Round Table (MSED), various workshops were held in 2017 and 2018 with a view to improving the capacities of the representatives of the social partners in the CES. These training activities and workshops covered various subjects, including the promotion of decent employment, social dialogue and tripartism. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the measures adopted with a view to strengthening the capacities of the members of the Economic and Social Council (CES), and the staff of the technical secretariat. The Committee hopes that the technical assistance requested in this regard will be provided in the near future.