Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Suriname (Ratification: 1979)

Article 5 of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on progress made towards the establishment of the ILO Commission of the Labour Advisory Board (AAC) and on the content and outcome of the tripartite consultations held on the matters concerning international labour standards covered by the Convention. The Government reports that the ILO Commission, a tripartite consultative body within the AAC, was established in 2015 and is currently operating. The Government indicates that the submission documents concerning the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy Recommendation, 2015 (No. 204), were submitted to the ILO Commission for advice, its input was taken into account, and the amended documents were to be submitted to the Council of Ministers. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that the reports submitted to the ILO under article 22 of the ILO Constitution in 2016 and 2017 were also submitted for comments to the ILO Commission. The Government indicates that the AAC did not convene special meetings to evaluate unratified Conventions or to discuss questions arising out of reports to be submitted under article 22 of the ILO Constitution. In addition, the questionnaire on the abrogation and withdrawal of Conventions Nos 4, 15, 28, 41, 60 and 67 was not submitted to the AAC for review by the ILO Commission; however, the Government indicates that it consulted the social partners prior to submitting its response to the questionnaire. It adds that, during the reporting period, the AAC focused on reviewing labour legislation, including: amendments to the Act regulating the Labour Advisory Board and to the Labour Inspection Act; a modernized Collective Bargaining Act and new Freedom of Association Act; a modernized Labour Exchange Act; and a new Act on Private Employment Agencies, all of which have been adopted by the National Assembly. The Government states that the National Assembly has placed another series of seven laws on the agenda of the AAC for review. The Committee also takes note of the 2014 report of the Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment on Tripartism in Suriname, which emphasizes the importance of tripartite consultation and social dialogue in the country and describes the various tripartite bodies and their functions. The Committee requests the Government to provide comprehensive up-to-date information on the content and outcome of tripartite consultations held within the AAC and the ILO Commission on all matters concerning international labour standards covered by Article 5(1)(a)–(e) of the Convention.