Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Belgium (Ratification: 1951)

The Committee notes the detailed information supplied by the Government concerning the results of the elections held in 1995 from which it appears particularly that the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (CSC), the General Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Belgium (CGSLB) and the Belgian General Federation of Labour (FGTB) comply with the conditions fixed by the law to be recognized as representative workers' organizations.

Recalling that its comments for many years have related to the need to take measures to ensure by law that objective, predetermined and detailed criteria are adopted in establishing rules for the access of workers' and employers' occupational organizations to the National Labour Council and that in this regard the Act of 29 May 1952 establishing the National Labour Council still contains no specific criteria on representativity but leaves wide powers of discretion to the Government, the Committee expresses the firm hope that the Government will adopt legislation, in the near future, setting out such criteria. It requests the Government to indicate in its next report any progress made in this respect.

In addition, the Committee is sending the Government a direct request.