GENEVA (ILO News) – The Commission of Inquiry established by the Governing Body of the ILO in March 2018 to examine a complaint presented against the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, will visit the country from 8 to 12 July 2019, in order to collect information relevant to the issues raised in the complaint within the scope of the Conventions concerned, from the perspective of both employers’ organizations and workers' organizations.

The complaint, presented in June 2015 by 33 employer delegates at the International Labour Conference, refers to the non-observance of the Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 (No. 26), the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), and the Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention 1976 (No. 144). The complaint alleges attacks, harassment, aggression, a campaign to discredit the employers' organization, FEDECAMARAS, including its leaders and affiliates, as well as interference by the authorities and a lack of tripartite consultation.

In accordance with Article 28 of the ILO Constitution, the Commission of Inquiry, composed of three independent members, is mandated to prepare a report showing the results of its inquiries on all the specific facts that make it possible to specify the scope of the litigation, as well as the recommendations that it deems appropriate with regards to the measures that should be adopted in relation to the complaint.

The visit to the country is the last phase in the Commission's inquiries. In due course the Commission will present its report to the Director-General of the ILO so that he may inform the Government and the ILO Governing Body, in accordance with Article 29 of the Constitution of the Organization.

The Commission of Inquiry does not make public statements or hold press conferences, nor can it answer questions related to its work.