Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

Rural Workers' Organisations Convention, 1975 (No. 141) - Costa Rica (Ratification: 1991)

The Committee notes the Government’s report.

The Committee recalls that in its previous observation it asked the Government to supplement the administrative directive issued by the Ministry of Labour on 18 January 1999 with a text that sets out more clearly the right of trade union representatives to have access to farms and plantations and to meet with workers. In this regard, the Committee notes that the Government undertakes to consider the Committee’s recommendation. The Committee urges the Government to take all the necessary measures to guarantee the right of trade union representatives to have access to farms and plantations and to meet with workers, and to provide information, in its next report, on any concrete measures adopted in this respect.

The Committee also asked the Government to provide information on the complaints received and/or reported by the Ministry of Labour concerning violations of trade union rights in the agricultural sector, and particularly with regard to the question of the access of trade union leaders to farms and plantations. In this respect, the Committee notes that, according to the Government, there are no records concerning violations of trade union rights by sector of activity relating to the access of trade union leaders to farms and plantations, but that with the automated labour inspection and management system (SAIL) currently being developed, it will be possible to supply the information on violations. The Committee hopes that once the new system comes into effect, the Government will be able to provide the information requested.