Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ratification: 1977)

Effective tripartite consultations. The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report received in August 2008 and the comments transmitted by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in September 2008. The Government indicates that it continues to consult social partners, both formally and informally, through regular pre- and post-Conference meetings and pre-Governing Body meetings. The Government states that every effort is made to provide all reports to the social partners in good time, notwithstanding other staff pressures during the reporting period and the need to consult a very wide range of government departments, as well as the devolved administrations on most of the reports prepared by the Government. The TUC again expresses its deep concern over the persistent late delivery of reports by the Government, which hinders the TUC’s ability to provide its comments in accordance with the deadline set by the ILO. The Committee invites the Government and the social partners to re-examine the effectiveness of the consultative procedures in place for consultations on questions arising out of reports to be prepared under article 22 of the Constitution (Article 5, paragraph 1(d) of the Convention).

Article 5, paragraph 1(c). Ratification prospects. The Committee notes with interest that the ratification of Convention No. 187 was registered on 29 May 2008. The Government also indicates that it considered its position on the ratification of the Labour Clauses (Public Contracts) Convention, 1949 (No. 94), in the context of preparations for its report under article 19 of the Constitution, and that it relayed its view thereon to the Conference Committee during its discussion of the 2008 General Survey. The TUC welcomes the ratification of Convention No. 187; however, it regrets the backlog of ratifications and the failure of the Government to move towards ratification of other instruments. The TUC recalls its view that the failure to re-ratify Convention No. 94 is inconsistent with other government initiatives that advise companies on contract compliance on labour clauses. The Committee invites the Government and the social partners to continue to report on measures taken to promote tripartite consultation on international labour standards, as required by Convention No. 144, in particular on the outcome of consultations held to re-examine the prospects of ratification of unratified Conventions, and on any follow-up to recommendations derived from such consultations.