Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Ratification: 1998)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Protection against acts of anti-union discrimination and interference. In its previous comments, the Committee had requested the Government to take measures to include in the legislation provisions which provide protection against acts of anti-union discrimination and interference by the employer or employers’ organizations in workers’ organizations (and vice versa) and which encourage collective bargaining in the private and public sectors (with the sole possible exception of public servants engaged in the administration of the State). The Committee had noted that a new Labour Relations Bill was awaiting Cabinet’s approval and that this Bill includes provisions against trade union discrimination and interference by respective employers’ and workers’ organizations. In this regard, the Committee recalled that the provisions should not only include protection against trade union discrimination and interference by respective employers’ and workers’ organizations, but also by the employer or any person acting on behalf of that employer.

The Committee notes that the Government expresses its gratitude in its report to the ILO for providing technical comments on the Bill amending the Labour Relations Act, 2001. The Committee further notes that the Government indicates that: (1) copies of the ILO’s memorandum of technical comments were submitted to the respective employers’ and workers’ organizations for their consideration and adoption; (2) the provisions of the revised Bill are expected to address the issues that are of concern to the ILO; and (3) it has initiated a series of consultations with the new leadership of the respective social partners.

The Committee hopes that the revised Labour Relations Bill will address the abovementioned issues and ensure full conformity with the Convention and requests the Government to provide information in its next report on any progress made in this regard.