Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Azerbaijan (Ratification: 1992)

The Committee notes the Government’s report.

The Committee recalls that it had previously requested the Government to amend section 6(1) of the Act on Trade Unions of 1994, so as to eliminate the absolute prohibition of all types of political activity by trade unions. The Committee notes the Government’s indication to the effect that, according to the legislation in force, members of trade unions, as well as any other persons, have the right to join political parties; and, through the membership of the political parties concerned, trade union members may take part in political activities. The Committee believes that the development of the trade union movement and the increasing recognition of its role as a social partner in its own right mean that workers’ organizations must be able to voice their opinions on political issues in the broad sense of the term and, in particular, to express their views publicly on a government’s economic and social policy (see General Survey on freedom of association and collective bargaining, 1994, paragraph 131). The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to amend section 6(1) of the Act on Trade Unions so as to strike a balance between, on the one hand, the legitimate interests of organizations to express their point of view on issues of economic and social policy affecting their members and workers in general and, on the other hand, the separation of political activities in the strict sense of the term from trade union activities. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of the measures taken or envisaged in this respect.