Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Rural Workers' Organisations Convention, 1975 (No. 141) - Afghanistan (Ratification: 1979)

The Committee notes with regret that for the third year in succession the Government's report has not been received.

In its previous comments the Committee recalled that, under Article 3, paragraph 2, of the Convention, rural workers' organizations are to be independent and voluntary in character and to remain free from all interference, coercion or repression. In this regard, the Committee noted with concern that several provisions of the Labour Code conferred prerogatives on the single trade union designated by name as "the Central Council of the DRA's Trade Unions", particularly in respect of the preparation of legislation and appointments to certain jobs (section 148(2) and section 3(4) of the Code). Furthermore, it noted that the objects of the Code included the consolidation of labour discipline and the implementation of production plans (section 1(4) of the Code).

The Committee had noted the information provided by the Government concerning the role of cooperatives generally under the Cooperative Law of 1981 and the voluntary nature of their membership, free from any form of coercion or pressure. It also duly notes that, due to the special conditions prevailing in the country, the Government has had difficulty collecting information from the concerned organizations. The Government is nevertheless requested to provide, in its next report, a copy of the recent statutes of the Peasant's Cooperative Union of Afghanistan and to provide statistical information concerning the number of its members as soon as this is available.

The Government is requested to indicate, in its next report, any measures taken to encourage rural workers' organizations to play their role in economic and social development free from all interference of any sort as a result of this cooperation.