Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Workers' Representatives Convention, 1971 (No. 135) - Jordan (Ratification: 1979)

Article 2 of the Convention. Facilities for workers’ representatives in the undertaking. In its previous comment, the Committee had noted that pursuant to section 107 of the Labour Code, the Tripartite Committee for Labour Affairs (TCLA) is the competent body for setting down the necessary conditions enabling trade union representatives to carry out their duties and had requested the Government to provide information on the content and outcome of the consultations held by the TCLA on this matter. The Government indicates in this regard that the Ministry of Labour nominated a committee made of representatives of the General Federation of Trade Unions, and the Jordanian Chambers of Industry and Commerce with the task of defining the principles and criteria governing the granting of time off for union activities. On 9 April 2017, this committee issued a set of recommendations to be submitted to the TCLA for decision on this matter. The TCLA has held regular meetings since then, however, the proposed principles and criteria have not yet been submitted to it for consideration and approval. The Committee notes with concern that the government does not report any progress in the application of Article 2 of the Convention in law and in practice. It once again recalls in this regard that the Workers’ Representatives Recommendation, 1971 (No. 143), lists examples of facilities to be afforded to workers’ representatives, which include time off from work to attend trade union meetings, congresses, etc.; access to all workplaces in the undertaking, where necessary; access to the management of the undertaking, as may be necessary; distribution to workers of publications and other written documents of the union; access to such material facilities and information as may be necessary to carry out their duties. The Committee firmly hopes that the proposed principles and criteria on granting time off for union activities will be submitted to the TCLA soon and requests the Government to take all the necessary measures to ensure that an adequate regulatory framework, guaranteeing that workers’ representatives are granted all the facilities enabling them to carry out their functions promptly and efficiently is submitted to tripartite consultation and approval. It requests the Government to continue providing information on any developments in this regard.

[The Government is asked to reply in full to the present comments in 2023.]