Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Gabon (Ratification: 1960)

In its previous comments, further to the observations of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) relating to restrictions on the right to strike in the public sector on the repeatedly invoked grounds of ensuring public safety, the Committee asked the Government to provide information on the number of strikes called in the public sector as a whole, the individual sectors concerned and the number of strikes prohibited on the grounds of a possible disruption of public order. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that trade unions within a number of government departments, including customs, taxation, higher education, national education, health and social affairs, have availed themselves of their right to strike. Moreover, the Government indicates that the National Congress of Education Sector Unions (CONASYSED) held its latest strike at the Martine Oulabou Public School without being removed from the premises and without the right to strike being prohibited. While taking note of the information provided by the Government on examples of strikes called in the public sector, the Committee requests once again that the Government provide detailed information on the number of strikes that have been called in the public sector, and the number of strikes prohibited on the grounds of a possible disruption of public order.

Moreover, further to the observations previously received from Education International (EI), denouncing the adoption of various regulations which are making the exercise of union activities in the education sector increasingly difficult, the Committee asked the Government to indicate the measures taken in the education sector to ensure that trade unions have access to educational establishments so that they can perform their representative functions and defend their members’ interests. The Committee notes with regret that there has been no reply from the Government on this matter. The Committee reiterates its request and expects that the Government will take all necessary steps to provide the requested information.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.