Compilation of decisions of the Committee on Freedom of Association

Right of organizations to elect their representatives in full freedom7

General principles

1. Freedom of association implies the right of workers and employers to elect their representatives in full freedom.

1. Workers and their organizations should have the right to elect their representatives in full freedom and the latter should have the right to put forward claims on their behalf.

1. In accordance with Article 3 of Convention No. 87, workers have the right to elect their representatives in full freedom.

1. It is the prerogative of workers and employers organizations to determine the conditions for electing their leaders and the authorities should refrain from any undue interference in the exercise of the right of workers and employers organizations freely to elect their representatives, which is guaranteed by Convention No. 87.

1. The right of workers organizations to elect their own representatives freely is an indispensable condition for them to be able to act in full freedom and to promote effectively the interests of their members. For this right to be fully acknowledged, it is essential that the public authorities refrain from any intervention which might impair the exercise of this right, whether it be in determining the conditions of eligibility of leaders or in the conduct of the elections themselves.

1. The public authorities should refrain from any interference which might restrict the exercise of the right of workers organizations to elect their own representatives freely, whether as regards the holding of trade union elections, eligibility conditions or the re-election or removal of representatives.