Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) - North Macedonia (Ratification: 1991)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments initially made in 2016.

Repetition

The Committee notes the Government’s reply to the comments made by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), which concerned the operation of labour inspection and the length of judicial proceedings in cases of anti-union discrimination.

Article 4 of the Convention. Promotion of collective bargaining. The Committee welcomes the information provided by the Government concerning: (i) the launch of a project on the Promotion of Social Dialogue financed by the European Union, aiming to strengthen tripartite social dialogue, encourage collective bargaining and establish sectoral infrastructures for collective agreements, as well as operational mechanisms for the resolution of disputes; and (ii) the Government’s review of the Law on Labour Relations, in particular as to collective bargaining, with the assistance of the Office and in consultation with the social partners, to ensure full compliance with ILO Conventions. The Committee requests the Government to report on the outcome of the project and review process for the promotion of collective bargaining, including as to any measures undertaken as a result.

Collective bargaining in practice. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government as to the number of collective agreements concluded in the country. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the application in practice of the Convention, including statistical data concerning the number of collective agreements concluded in both public and private sectors and the number of workers covered.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.