Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

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

The Committee notes the Government's report and the promulgation of a partial reform (Act of November 1992) of the 1987 Labour Code, containing certain provisions on freedom of association and collective bargaining that are in conformity with the Convention.

The Committee recalls that its previous comments referred to: (1) the need to take steps to amend section 11(2) of the Act of March 1990 respecting the settlement of collective labour disputes, which provides that a decision to call a strike must be taken by the majority of all the workers in the respective enterprise or unit, to enable the decision to be taken by the majority of workers taking part in the vote; and (2) the need to ensure that workers in the health, electricity and communication sectors, who are forbidden from exercising the right to strike under section 6(4) of the Act of March 1990 respecting the settlement of collective labour disputes, have appropriate guarantees for the protection of their social, economic and occupational interests. The Committee notes the Government's statement that it is carrying out a technical assistance programme in the field of social dialogue, which aims amongst other things to establish a conciliation and arbitration system of tripartite structure and free from government control. The Committee hopes that its comments will be taken into consideration in the implementation of this programme and asks the Government to indicate in its next report the measures taken to bring its legislation into full conformity with the principles of freedom of association.