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

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) - Albania (Ratification: 1957)

Article 1 of the Convention. Adequate protection of workers against acts of anti-union discrimination. In its previous comments, the Committee, while noting the remedies provided for in cases of anti-union discrimination in sections 146(3), 202(1), 181(4) and 146(3) of the Labour Code (compensation; fine; prior union consent; reinstatement of public administration employees), had regretted that, in the absence of special tribunals, it allegedly took three years to review such cases in court. The Committee had urged the Government to take all necessary measures to establish appropriate enforcement mechanisms without further delay and had requested information on the status of the legal initiative concerning arbitration. The Committee notes that the Government indicates that the Ministry of Justice is examining this issue and that a draft law on international arbitration is currently under consideration. Recalling that the existence of general legal provisions prohibiting acts of anti-union discrimination is insufficient unless they are accompanied by effective and rapid procedures to ensure their application in practice, the Committee urges the Government to take all necessary measures to ensure the expeditious set up and operation of adequate enforcement mechanisms. The Committee requests the Government to inform of any development in this regard and to provide detailed information on the practical application of the remedies for anti-union discrimination set out in the law, in particular the availability and use of any applicable enforcement mechanisms, such as labour courts, and the duration of proceedings.

Article 4. Promotion of collective bargaining. Noting in its previous comments that under section 161 of the Labour Code, collective agreements may be concluded at enterprise or branch level, and that according to the Government no collective agreements at national level had yet been concluded, the Committee had asked the Government to pursue its efforts to make bargaining possible at the national level in conformity with the national law and practice, in particular by mobilizing tripartite forums such as the National Labour Council (NLC). The Committee notes that the Government states that promotion of collective agreements is a priority and that, in this context, a number of measures have been taken to improve the legal framework, including Act No. 136 of 5 December 2015 on some supplements and amendments to the Labour Code. However, the Government notes that further work and continued efforts are still needed to foster collective bargaining at all levels, including the national level. The Committee invites the Government to pursue its efforts to promote voluntary collective bargaining at all levels, including at national level, when the parties so desire, and recalls that it may avail itself of the technical assistance of the Office. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any measures taken and their impact on the promotion of collective bargaining, as well as on the number of collective agreements concluded, specifying the level and percentage or number of workers covered.