Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Central African Republic (Ratification: 1960)

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government's report to the effect that the procedure for the reimbursement of the property of the former General Union of Central African Workers (UGTC) is under way. It requests the Government to keep it informed of the outcome of the settlement in its future reports.

The Committee also notes that, according to the Government's report, the single trade union system no longer exists in practice and that first-level trade unions and four central trade union organizations have been freely established.

Notwithstanding this change in practice, the Committee still considers that sections 1, 2 and 4 of Act No. 88/009, of 19 May 1988 (the requirement that a person should be employed in the occupation as a wage-earner in order to stand for trade union office, and the embodiment in legislation of the single trade union system) are not fully in conformity with the requirements of the Convention. In view of the recent emergence of trade union pluralism, it requests the Government to reconsider its position and to envisage the amendment of these sections in order to guarantee, in law as well as in practice, to all workers, without distinction whatsoever, the right to establish trade unions of their own choosing outside the single central trade union organization referred to in the Act. It also requests the Government to relax the excessive restrictions on the requirement of employment in the same occupation to stand for trade union office, in order to guarantee that first-level organizations can freely join federations and confederations, and that competent persons such as the permanent employees of trade unions or retired persons have the possibility of holding trade union office.

The Committee once again hopes that the Government will bring its legislation into conformity with the Convention and with national practice in the near future.