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

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Sao Tome and Principe (Ratification: 1992)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

The Committee observed that the World Confederation of Labour (WCL) and the General Union of Workers of Sao Tome and Principe (UGT-STP) sent comments on the application of the Convention. The Committee requests that the Government send its observations in this regard.

The Committee recalled that for many years it has been making comments on the need for the Government to take steps to amend the following provisions of Act No. 4/92 which refer to the following issues:

–      the majority required for calling a strike is too high (section 4 of Act No. 4/92);

–      with regard to minimum services, it is important, in the event of disagreement in determining such services, that the matter be settled by an independent body and not by the employer (paragraph 4 of section 10 of Act No. 4/92);

–      the hiring of workers to perform essential services in order to maintain the economic and financial viability of the enterprise should it be seriously threatened by a strike (section 9 of Act No. 4/92);

–      compulsory arbitration for services which are not deemed essential (postal, banking and loans services) (section 11 of Act No. 4/92).

The Committee reiterates its request to the Government to take steps to amend the above legislative provisions, in order to bring the legislation into conformity with the Convention and to inform it in its next report of any measures adopted in this regard.

Finally, the Committee once again asks the Government to state whether public employees have the right to organize and to indicate the applicable legislation in this matter and whether federations and confederations are able to exercise the right to strike.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.