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

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (Ratification: 1983)

Communications from employers’ and workers’ organizations. Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Independent Trade Union Alliance (ASI), in a communication received in August 2013, urges the Government to promote procedures for consultation and social dialogue. The Confederation of Workers of Venezuela (CTV) also indicates that, as at 29 August 2013, the reports required by Article 5(1)(d) of the Convention had not been received. Moreover, the National Union of Workers of Venezuela (UNETE) declares that there are no “procedures which ensure effective consultations”, as provided for in the Convention. Furthermore, the Federation of Chambers and Associations of Commerce and Production of Venezuela (FEDECAMARAS) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), are asking the Government to include FEDECAMARAS as the most representative employers’ organization in the country with a view to preventing the adoption of decisions on economic, social and labour policy which, in the absence of social dialogue, are aggravating the economic crisis in the country. In the reports received in September and November 2013, the Government reiterates that it duly fulfils its obligation each year to send communications to the representative organizations of workers and employers. The copies of all reports requested from the Government are sent to six workers’ organizations (including the CTV and UNETE) and five representative employers’ organizations from various sectors of the country (including FEDECAMARAS). The Government observes that these organizations send observations to the ILO relating to the reports and that the Government examines and takes account of these comments and observations and then sends them to the ILO. The Government emphasizes its efforts to construct, promote and develop more extensive and inclusive social dialogue in which all representative employers’ and workers’ organizations participate. The Committee refers to its previous observations in which it expressed its conviction that the Government and the social partners should undertake to promote and strengthen tripartism and social dialogue and establish procedures which ensure effective tripartite consultations (Article 2(1) of the Convention). The Committee invites the Government to examine any changes in practice regarding the procedures established for holding consultations on any questions arising out of reports to be made to the Office (Article 5(1)(d)). The Committee requests the Government to include specific information in its next report on how account is taken of the opinions expressed by the representative organizations concerning the operation of the consultation procedures required by the Convention.