Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Lesotho (Ratification: 1966)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report.

In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, under section 31 of the Public Service Act No. 13 of 1995, public officers may form and establish a staff association under the provisions of the Societies Act of 1966 but may not become members of any trade union registered under the Labour Code Order of 1992.  While taking note of the Public Service Act which the Government transmitted with its report, the Committee once again requests the Government to send, with its next report, a copy of the Societies Act of 1966 so that the Committee may ensure the Act’s conformity with the principles of freedom of association.

Moreover, the Committee notes with interest the extracts from the minutes of the National Advisory Committee on Labour (NACL) meetings attached to the Government’s report. It notes that the NACL has urged the Minister of Employment and Labour to consider recommending the repeal of section 31 of the Public Service Act so that public servants may form trade unions like all other workers. The Committee expresses the firm hope that the Government will do its utmost to grant trade union rights to public servants and requests to be kept informed of any developments in this respect.

Finally, the Committee once again asks the Government to indicate in its next report whether associations of public officers established under section 31 can join confederations with private sector trade unions, in accordance with Articles 2, 5 and 6 of the Convention.