Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Kiribati (Ratification: 2000)

The Committee notes the observations of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) received on 1 September 2015, which are of a general nature.

In its previous comments, the Committee had been commenting upon the need to modify a number of provisions of the Trade Unions and Employer Organisations Act and the Industrial Relations Code. Welcoming that certain matters were addressed in the Draft Employment and Industrial Relations Code 2013, which had been technically reviewed by the Office, and noting that the labour law reforms were being considered by the Decent Work Agenda Steering Committee, the Committee expected that all its comments, would be fully taken into account in the process and requested the Government to provide information on any developments as regards the adoption of the draft legislation.

The Committee notes the adoption of the Employment and Industrial Relations Code (EIRC) in 2015 and notes with satisfaction that, in line with its previous comments: (i) section 24(2)(a) of the EIRC lowers the minimum membership requirement for the registration of an employers’ organization from seven to five members; (ii) section 19(1) of the EIRC guarantees the right of trade unions and employers’ organizations to elect their representatives; and (iii) sections 124, 125, 127 and 128 of the EIRC introduce time frames to encourage an expedient dispute settlement procedure.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.