Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Ratification: 2001)

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. In its previous comment, the Committee referred to the need to amend sections 11 (3) and 25 of the Trade Unions Act (TUA) so as to eliminate the discretionary authority of the Register in respect of the registration of trade unions and to limit the powers of the Registrar to conduct investigations into the accounts of trade unions. The Committee expressed the hope that the Government would continue the consultations with the social partners and that the new Labour Relations Bill would be adopted in the near future to replace the TUA and that it would address the abovementioned issues. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that no changes have been made to the legislation and that given the length of time elapsed since the last series of legislative consultations, it has become necessary to begin the process anew. It further notes the Government’s indication that it has received funds from an international financial institution in order to undertake, in consultation with the social partners, the revision of the Labour Relations Bill. According to the Government, the consultation process will last 18 months, following which it will be presented to the Cabinet and, it is hoped, subsequently enacted by the Parliament. The Committee notes with regret the lack of progress made in amending sections 11(3) and 25 of the TUA and firmly hopes that the revised Labour Relations Bill will be adopted in the very near future and that the Committee’s comments above will be taken into account so as to give full effect to the Convention.