Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Botswana (Ratification: 1997)

Articles 2 and 5 of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in August 2013 in reply to its 2012 observation. The Committee also notes the communication of the Trainers and Allied Workers Union (TAWU), dated 26 August 2013. The TAWU indicates that there is no tripartite structure in Botswana and that the establishment of the Labour Advisory Board does not suffice. The Government indicates that the agenda of the International Labour Conference and the proposed texts to be discussed are shared with the social partners and that the need to consult them is noted. The Government further adds that the representative organizations of workers and employers are, respectively, the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions and the Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report with regard to the proposals made to the competent authority in connection with the submission of unratified Conventions and Recommendations. The Government indicates that a gap analysis focusing on the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81), and the Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129), has been conducted by ILO experts in August 2013. The Committee notes with interest that Botswana is currently working to develop an employment policy, through the Decent Work Country Programme; once such policy is in place, the country will decide whether it proceeds to ratify the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122). The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the effective consultations held with the social partners on each of the matters concerning international labour standards listed in Article 5(1) of the Convention. In particular, the Committee would welcome examining information on the activities of the Labour Advisory Board, indicating the frequency and the nature of any reports or recommendations regarding international labour standards resulting from these consultations.