Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

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

Part II of the Convention (Engagement and recruitment of migrant workers), Articles 5 to 19. The Committee notes the Government’s indications that migrant workers employed in plantations are freely recruited. It requests the Government to indicate the manner in which it ensures that employment offices and employers in plantations comply with the provisions of the Convention in respect of these populations. The Committee also notes that, according to the Government’s report, measures intended to facilitate the return of migrant workers and their families, including a project for the rehabilitation of schools attended by their children, have been adopted following the reunification of the country and the resolution of the post-electoral crisis. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on all of the measures intended to promote the return of migrant workers and their families, as well as the results that were expected and have been achieved. It would also be interested in receiving numerical data on trends in the recruitment of migrant agricultural workers following the pacification of the internal conflicts.

Part IV (Wages), Articles 24 to 35. The Committee requests the Government to refer to its direct requests made at its session in 2011 under the Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 (No. 26), the Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery (Agriculture) Convention, 1951 (No. 99), and the Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 (No. 95).

Part V (Annual holidays with pay), Articles 36 to 42. The Committee requests the Government to refer to its direct request made at its session in 2011 under the Holidays with Pay Convention, 1936 (No. 52).

Part VI (Weekly rest), Articles 43 to 45. The Committee requests the Government to refer to its direct request made at its session in 2011 under the Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention, 1921 (No. 14).

Part VII (Maternity protection), Articles 46 to 50. The Committee requests the Government to refer to the direct request that it made in 2010 under the Maternity Protection Convention, 1919 (No. 3).

Parts IX and X (Right to organize and collective bargaining; Freedom of association), Articles 54 to 70. The Committee requests the Government to refer to the comments made at its session in 2011 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 to 84. In its report, the Government expresses its regret that it is difficult to undertake inspections in plantations in view of the lack of resources and means of transport. It adds that it hopes to remedy these shortcomings as rapidly as possible when State resources so permit. Furthermore, from the Government’s report provided under the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81), the Committee notes the project to establish a map of agricultural undertakings and to establish a register of such undertakings. It also notes that, in its report under the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), the Government undertakes to reinforce the capacities of the actors involved in combating the trafficking of children and carrying through judicial procedures until the conviction of those found guilty. Nevertheless, the Committee raises the question of how the Government envisages proceeding in the total absence of inspections, which are nevertheless an essential prerequisite for the achievement of these objectives. It therefore hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to take all the necessary measures to reinforce the means made available to the labour inspection services responsible for supervising plantations. It also requests the Government to keep the Office informed of any developments relating to the project to establish a register and a map of agricultural undertakings. The Committee also requests the Government to refer to its observations made in 2011 under 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 to 91. The Committee notes the Government’s indications that combating HIV/AIDS, particularly in agricultural areas, is one of its major concerns. It also notes the action taken by the Government and numerous NGOs to prevent and combat HIV/AIDS with a view to making laboratory and care services available to agricultural workers. Finally, it notes the obligation placed on enterprises in the agro-industrial sector to establish medical services with a doctor responsible, among other action, for raising the awareness of workers and providing care. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the operation of these medical services and the results obtained in terms of the prevention activities undertaken and the care provided to agricultural workers and their families. It also requests the Government to provide any available information, including statistical data, on the endemic diseases affecting agricultural workers and their families, with an indication of the measures adopted or envisaged with a view to the elimination or control of these endemic diseases.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the application of the Convention in practice, and particularly studies on the number of agricultural workers, agricultural migrant workers and agricultural undertakings to which the Convention applies, extracts from official reports on the socio-economic conditions prevailing in the plantations sector and statistical data showing the relative weight of the plantations sector in the national economy in terms of employment and income.