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

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 regard, the Committee had noted that section 22 of the Public Services Act (2005), regarding the right of public officers to establish associations for the purpose of collective bargaining, is regulated under the provisions of the Societies Act (1966). However, after inspecting the Societies Act, the Committee found no mention of any provision regarding public officers’ right to form their own organizations. The Committee notes that the Government’s report contains no reply to its request. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to provide any information as to how the Societies Act 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 so as to ensure that public servants, officials and workers in nationalized industries enjoy the right of freedom of association.