Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

Workers' Representatives Convention, 1971 (No. 135) - Rwanda (Ratification: 1988)

The Committee takes note of the Government's report.

Article 2 of the Convention. With reference to its request for information on the application of this provision, the Committee notes the Government's explanations that, apart from the payment of workers' representatives in the event of absence to attend union, federation, confederation and international congresses, the law in force grants them no other facilities. The Government adds that in practice, however, facilities such as time off to attend training courses, formally requested by the central trade union, and access to the workplace and the posting of documents and trade union notices are also granted. Material facilities and access to the management of the enterprise depend on the goodwill of the employer in the absence of collective agreements.

In the Committee's opinion the fact that the granting of certain facilities can depend on the goodwill of the employer could impair the rights granted to workers' representatives. It asks the Government to indicate in its next report the measures taken or envisaged to grant workers' representatives more facilities so that they can carry out their functions promptly and efficiently.

The Committee notes that the copy of the law providing for the payment of time off from work for representation functions (which the Committee requested previously and which the Government states is enclosed with its report, has not reached the ILO). It therefore once again requests the Government to provide a copy of the provisions in question.

Article 4. With regard to its previous request to the Government to indicate whether the Minister of Labour had issued the Orders to implement section 160 of the Labour Code concerning workers' representatives, the Committee notes with interest that a study on this matter is under way and asks the Government to provide the results of the study in its next report.

[The Government is asked to report in detail for the period ending 30 June 1992.]