Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Labour Relations (Public Service) Convention, 1978 (No. 151) - Sao Tome and Principe (Ratification: 2005)

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

Repetition

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report does not provide any response to the questions the Committee has raised in the comments it has been making for many years on the implementation of several essential provisions of the Convention.The Committee is, therefore, bound to reiterate them and urges the Government to take all the measures required on each of the following points.

Article 4 of the Convention. Adequate protection against acts of anti-union discrimination. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that there is no legislation establishing penalties for acts of anti-union discrimination.The Committee once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures for the adoption of legislative provisions imposing sufficiently effective and dissuasive sanctions for acts of anti-union discrimination.

Article 5. Adequate protection against acts of interference. The Committee previously noted that the legislation does not establish sanctions for acts of interference.The Committee once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures to adopt legal provisions imposing sufficiently effective and dissuasive sanctions for acts of interference against trade union organizations of public employees.

Article 8. Settlement of collective disputes. The Committee previously noted that section 11 of the Act on Strikes provides for compulsory arbitration, but that the legislation does not establish any mechanism for mediation or conciliation in the event of a dispute between the parties. The Committee noted the Government’s indication that matters relating to the mediation of disputes in the public administration fall within the remit of the Directorate of the Public Administration and not the Labour Directorate.The Committee once again requests the Government to provide additional information on the settlement of collective disputes in the public administration, and in particular to indicate whether the Act referred to above applies to employees of the public administration, and to provide detailed information on the mediation mechanisms that are under the responsibility of the Directorate of the Public Administration.

Recalling that it may request the technical assistance of the Office, the Committee trusts that the Government will adopt the necessary measures in the near future.

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