Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

Plantations Convention, 1958 (No. 110) - Côte d'Ivoire (Ratification: 1961)

Part II of the Convention (Engagement and recruitment and migrant workers), Articles 5–19. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the procedure whereby the employment contracts of foreign workers need to be visaed by the Agency for the Promotion of Employment (AGEPE) does not apply to migrant agricultural workers who are therefore recruited in exactly the same manner as nationals. It also notes the Government’s statement that the climate of hostility and violence against foreign workers has now almost completely disappeared as the constitutional crisis is in the process of being settled. While noting the Government’s efforts to restore stability and put an end to the climate of xenophobia that accompanied the civil war, the Committee would appreciate receiving up to date information on the number of plantation migrant workers and any specific measures taken or envisaged with a view to facilitating their reception in the current context of reconciliation. The Committee also requests the Government to refer to the observation addressed in 2007 concerning the Fee-Charging Employment Agencies Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 96).

Part IV (Wages), Articles 24–35. The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not reply to earlier comments concerning the need to readjust minimum wage rates that remain unchanged since 1994. Recalling that the Convention requires the fixing of minimum wages either through freely negotiated collective agreements or by means of national laws or regulations in consultation with representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, the Committee requests the Government to provide additional explanations in this respect.

Part V (Annual holidays with pay), Articles 36–42. The Committee requests the Government to refer to the direct request addressed in 2009 concerning the Holidays with Pay Convention, 1936 (No. 52).

Part VI (Weekly rest), Articles 43–45. The Committee requests the Government to refer to its comments made under the Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention, 1921 (No. 14).

Part VII (Maternity protection), Articles 46–50. The Committee requests the Government to refer to the direct request addressed in 2009 concerning the Maternity Protection Convention, 1919 (No. 3).

Parts IX and X (Right to organize and collective bargaining. Freedom of association), Articles 54–70. The Committee requests the Government to refer to its comments made under the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).

Part XI (Labour inspection), Articles 71–84. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that no labour inspection visits are carried out in plantations due to lack of resources and transport facilities. As regards the problem of child trafficking in plantations, the Government states the situation is closely monitored and that a national action plan has been adopted to this effect. Recalling that the Convention requires plantations to be inspected as often and as thoroughly as is necessary to ensure the effective implementation of its provisions, the Committee requests the Government to take all appropriate measures in order to enable the labour inspection services to exercise full control over the plantation sector. In addition, the Committee requests the Government to refer to the comments addressed in 2009 concerning the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81), the Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129), and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182).

Part XIII (Medical care), Articles 89–91. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that even though there has not yet been established a policy to eradicate or control prevalent endemic diseases, including HIV/AIDS, in plantation areas, numerous NGOs are actively engaged in the sensitization of workers, the promotion of voluntary HIV testing and the provision of laboratory facilities and treatment services. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide all relevant information concerning the reinforcement of medical services for plantation workers, especially in the face of such infectious diseases as HIV/AIDS.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes with surprise the Government’s statement that it does not possess any information or statistics concerning the size and structure of the plantation sector and its importance for the national economy. The Committee understands, however, that according to recent World Bank figures, agriculture contributes 31 per cent of Côte d’Ivoire’s GDP, employs over 60 per cent of the population and accounts for three-quarters of total export earnings (coffee and cocoa plantations together account for half). The Committee accordingly requests the Government to make an effort to collect and transmit up to date information on the practical application of the Convention, including for instance data on the number of workers and agricultural undertakings to which the Convention applies, extracts from official reports on the socio-economic conditions prevailing in the plantation sector, statistical information showing the relative weight of the plantation sector for the national economy in terms of employment or revenues, etc.