Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) - Djibouti (Ratification: 1978)

The Committee had previously noted the observations jointly submitted by Education International (EI), the Trade Union of Middle and High School Teachers of Djibouti (SPCLD) and the Trade Union of Primary School Teachers (SEP) in a communication received on 10 September 2014 which denounced the harassment, arbitrary transfers and dismissals of teachers belonging to a trade union. The Committee also took note of the Government’s reply denying these allegations. Recalling that EI and the SEP submitted a complaint on the same allegations to the Committee on Freedom of Association in February 2014, the Committee refers to the recommendations formulated in March 2015 by the Committee on Freedom of Association concerning this case (Case No. 3058, 374th Report) and urges the Government to implement these recommendations.

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Protection against acts of anti-union discrimination and interference. The Committee notes the observations submitted by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) on 1 September 2014 concerning persistent acts of anti-union discrimination, including dismissals, against members of the Labour Union of Djibouti (UDT) and the General Union of Djibouti Workers (UGTD). The Committee notes that the Government’s reply, in the main, denies the allegations.

In general, the Committee notes with concern that some trade union organizations are still finding it difficult to exercise their trade union activities without interference. Recalling the obligation under the Convention to guarantee that workers enjoy adequate protection against acts of anti-union discrimination (Article 1 of the Convention) and to ensure that workers’ and employers’ organizations enjoy adequate protection against any acts of interference (Article 2), the Committee firmly requests the Government to take all necessary measures to ensure the full respect of these obligations for all the trade union organizations operating in the country.

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