Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

Workers' Representatives Convention, 1971 (No. 135) - Iraq (Ratification: 1972)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report contains no new answers to its previous direct requests for more detailed information on the application of Article 2 of the Convention. It notes in particular that no copies were provided of agreements concluded between trade union organizations and employers, which the Government referred to in its previous report and which, according to the Government, afford facilities to members of trade union committees to carry out all activities necessary to the performance of their trade union duties.

In these circumstances, the Committee is bound once again to draw the Government's attention to the terms of Article 2 under which facilities must be afforded in the enterprise to workers' representatives (such as the necessary time off to attend meetings, training courses and trade union seminars, conferences and congresses; access to working places when necessary; space to post trade union notices, etc., as indicated in Chapter IV of Recommendation No. 143).

Noting that under the Trade Union Act (No. 52) of 1987 which establishes trade union monopoly, the General Confederation of Trade Unions, the central organization designated in the law, pays the wages of full-time trade union officials (sections 41 and 27(7)) and not the employer, the Committee draws the Government's attention to the fact that facilities must be afforded in enterprises to workers' representatives to enable them to carry out their functions promptly and efficiently, and in full independence so that they may defend the economic, social and occupational interests of the workers.

The Committee is bound to ask the Government once again to provide with its next report the texts of any agreements concluded between trade unions and employers which afford workers' representatives in enterprises the above-mentioned facilities, as well as any other relevant information on the practical effect given to Article 2.