Effect given to the recommendations of the committee and the Governing Body - Report No 305, November 1996

Case No 1846 (Côte d'Ivoire) - Complaint date: 18-AUG-95 - Closed

Effect given to the recommendations of the Committee and the Governing Body

1. 21. As regards Case No. 1594 (Côte d'Ivoire), the Committee had requested the Government to endeavour to take measures so that the workers dismissed at Irho Lame as a result of their legitimate trade union activities are reinstated in their posts (see 300th Report, para. 17, approved by the Governing Body in November 1995).
2. 22. In a communication of 14 June 1996, the World Confederation of Labour (WCL) explained the reasons for which "Dignité" rejected the Government's proposals on the reinstatement of the striking workers at Irho Lame. It stated that the proposals were unfair and discriminatory, since prior to the arrival of the direct contacts mission in April 1994 the Government had proposed that only 200 workers out of a total number of 618 be reinstated. In January 1995, following the visit of the direct contacts mission, it was proposed that only 100 workers be reinstated at a rate of 25 every six months over a period of two years. The other striking workers (blue-collar workers) were not reinstated and were deprived of their rights. Furthermore, the WCL adds that nothing has been done to reinstate the workers in Blohorn, Sodeci, Scaf Bassam, Nelci and Soat. It emphasizes that none of the recommendations made by the direct contacts mission concerning the autonomous port of Abidjan have been implemented.
3. 23. In a communication of 4 September 1996, the Government states that "Dignité" won the elections in several enterprises and that since the return of trade union pluralism it has been associated with worker-related issues. The Government explains that the initiative for elections of workers' representatives lies with employees and that the labour inspector only intervenes if the employer fails to do so. The Minister for Employment guaranteed that the elections would be held in the autonomous port of Abidjan and the administration undertook consultations on this matter. In addition, in a letter of 10 May 1995 it informed the Chairman of the Dockers Trade Union (SEMPA) that SYLIDOPACI, a rival union with a number of members, must be allowed to exercise its trade union activities freely. Eventually, elections were held at Cosmivoire, Blohorn and Cotivo.
4. 24. As regards the dispute at Irho Lame, the Government points out that legal action is being taken against Mr. Dabone Hassan and Mr. Diebre Boukari for violence and assault, that they were detained on 30 January 1995 and are awaiting trial by the investigating magistrate. The Government states that following the ILO mission, the Irho Lame management put forward a plan to reinstate 100 employees on a gradual basis, owing to economic difficulties. The plan was rejected by the Secretary-General of "Dignité" who requested the immediate reinstatement of all the workers who had been on strike for almost two years. The Government states that it has endeavoured to find a solution to the conflict.
5. 25. The Committee takes note of this information and requests the Government to keep it informed of the outcome of the elections of workers' representatives in the autonomous port of Abidjan, as well as of developments with respect to the reinstatement of the workers dismissed as a result of the labour disputes. Moreover, the Committee expresses its profound concern at the fact that several trade unionists, whose situation had been examined in Case No. 1846, are still being held in detention. It strongly reiterates the contents of its recommendation in paragraph 267 of its 302nd Report in which it requested the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the immediate release of Dabone Hassan, Denemou Augustin, Karim Sawadogo and Kagambega Philippe. It urges the Government to keep it informed of the measures taken in this respect.