Compilation of decisions of the Committee on Freedom of Association

Dissolution and suspension of organizations11

General principles

1. In the light of Convention No. 87, organizations of workers can only be dissolved voluntarily or through judicial channels.

1. In a case involving the dissolution and suspension of the trade union organizations in a country, the Committee expressed its deep conviction that in no case does the solution to the economic and social problems besetting a country lie in isolating trade union organizations and suspending their activities. On the contrary, only through the development of free and independent trade union organizations and negotiations with these organizations can a government tackle such problems and solve them in the best interests of the workers and the nation.

1. In view of the serious consequences which dissolution of a union involves for the occupational representation of workers, the Committee has considered that it would appear preferable, in the interest of labour relations, if such actions were to be taken only as the last resort, and after exhausting other possibilities with less serious effects for the organization as a whole.