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

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

In its previous direct request, the Committee asked the Government to indicate the manner in which public officers’ associations may become registered. In this respect, the Committee notes that section 22 of the Public Services Act, 2005, regarding public officers’ right to form a public officers’ association for the purpose of collective bargaining and ethical conduct of its members, falls under the provisions of the Societies Act of 1966. After inspecting the Societies Act of 1966, specifically the registration of societies under Part I of the Act, the Committee finds no mention of any provision regarding public officers’ right to form their own organizations. Consequently, the Committee requests the Government to provide any information as to how the Societies Act of 1966 protects the right of public officers to form associations for the purpose of collective bargaining and, if it does not, to amend the Public Services Act of 2005 so as to ensure that public servants, officials and workers in nationalized industries enjoy the right of freedom of association.