Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Bulgaria (Ratification: 1959)

With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes with satisfaction from the Government's report the profound changes that have occurred. It notes that, according to the report, section 1 of the Constitution, which gave statutory effect to the guiding role of the Communist Party over mass organisations, was amended by Act No. 29 of 10 April 1990 which sets out the principle of political pluralism. It notes that under the terms of the Act of 6 March 1990 for the settlement of collective labour disputes, workers now have the right, in certain circumstances, to call strikes to defend their occupational interests. Furthermore, the National Constituent Assembly is due in the near future to adopt a new Constitution that will guarantee a democratic structure and pluralism, and a new Labour Code that conforms to the changes that have occurred in the country following the transformation from a centrally planned to a market economy system.

Furthermore, the Committee notes from the information supplied by the Government that there are now in the country organisations of workers and employers established on the principle of individual freedom of choice.

In these circumstances, the Committee hopes that the legislative texts that are being prepared will guarantee full observance of the rights and guarantees set out in the Convention and requests the Government to supply the text of the draft Labour Code so that it can examine it.

The Committee is addressing a direct request to the Government concerning the application of the Act of 6 March 1990 for the settlement of collective labour disputes.