Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention, 1921 (No. 14) - Greenland

Replies received to the issues raised in a direct request which do not give rise to further comments (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, which answers the points raised in its previous direct request and has no further matters to raise in this regard.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention. Total or partial exceptions. The Committee requests the Government to refer to the comments made under Articles 7 and 8 of the Weekly Rest (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1957 (No. 106).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention. Total or partial exceptions. The Committee requests the Government to refer to its comments made under Articles 7 and 8 of the Weekly Rest (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1957 (No. 106).

Article 7. Posting of notices. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the workers are kept informed of the weekly rest scheme applicable to them, mainly through the publicity given by the social partners to collective agreements. Recalling that the Convention sets out an express obligation for each employer, director or manager to make known the days and hours of collective rest by means of notices or rosters, the Committee requests the Government to consider at the next suitable occasion the possibility of introducing in the working environment legislation a provision giving full effect to this Article of the Convention.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the number of workers covered by the Convention and the structure of the labour inspection system as well as the 2007 annual report of the Greenlandic Working Environment Council. It would appreciate if the Government would continue providing up to date information on all aspects of the implementation and enforcement of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Articles 4, 5 and 6 of the Convention. The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s report, section 45(a) of the consolidated Working Environment Act, which entered into force on 1 January 2006, provides that a deviation from the rules concerning rest time must be compensated by proportional rest periods or days off. A deviation may never imply more than 12 days and nights between two rest days, while special rules apply to employees under 18 years of age. The Government adds that a revised executive order on rest periods and days off in Greenland took effect on 1 January 2006. As regards the requirement for consultations with responsible associations of employers and workers prior to the authorization of any total or partial exceptions from the general standard on weekly rest, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that there is a long tradition of involving the social partners in the preparation of the working environment legislation and that the Greenlandic Working Environment Council, which comprises representatives of employers, managers and employees, has a central role as an advisory body. While recalling that any exceptions to the general standard must comply with the conditions set out in the Convention (i.e. due regard for all proper humanitarian and economic considerations and prior consultations with the employers and workers concerned) and that recourse to such exceptions must be limited to what is strictly necessary, the Committee requests the Government to communicate in future reports full particulars on any exceptions which might be granted by the National Working Environment Authority. The Committee would appreciate receiving a copy of the consolidated Working Environment Act and of the revised executive order on rest periods and days off.

Article 7. Further to its previous comments on this point, the Committee requests the Government to indicate how it is ensured in practice that workers are informed of the weekly rest arrangements applicable to them (for instance, by means of notices posted at the workplace or rosters), especially when they are subject to special systems of rest and the rest period is not granted simultaneously to the whole of the staff of an enterprise.

Parts III and V of the report form. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide general information on the practical application of the Convention, including, for instance, the approximate number of workers covered by the relevant legislation, statistics on inspection activities, copies of official documents such as annual reports of the National Working Environment Authority, etc.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and wishes to draw its attention to the following points.

Articles 4, 5 and 6 of the Convention. The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s report, section 45(a) of the new consolidated Working Environment Act, which will enter into force on 1 January 2006, provides that a deviation from the rules concerning rest time must be compensated by proportional rest periods or days off. A deviation may never imply more than 12 days and nights between two rest days, while special rules apply to employees under 18 years of age. The Government adds that a revised executive order on rest periods and days off in Greenland is scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2006. As regards the requirement for consultations with responsible associations of employers and workers prior to the authorization of any total or partial exceptions from the general standard on weekly rest, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that there is a long tradition of involving the social partners in the preparation of the working environment legislation and that the Greenlandic Working Environment Council, which comprises representatives of employers, managers and employees, has a central role as an advisory body. While recalling that any exceptions to the general standard must comply with the conditions set out in the Convention (i.e. due regard for all proper humanitarian and economic considerations and prior consultations with the employers and workers concerned) and that recourse to such exceptions must be limited to what is strictly necessary, the Committee requests the Government to communicate in future reports full particulars on any exceptions which might be granted by the National Working Environment Authority. The Committee would appreciate receiving a copy of the new consolidated Working Environment Act and of the revised executive order on rest periods and days off. 

Article 7. Further to its previous comments on this point, the Committee requests the Government to indicate how it is ensured in practice that workers are informed of the weekly rest arrangements applicable to them (for instance, by means of notices posted at the workplace or rosters), especially when they are subject to special systems of rest and the rest period is not granted simultaneously to the whole of the staff of an enterprise.

Parts III and V of the report form. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide general information on the practical application of the Convention, including, for instance, the approximate number of workers covered by the relevant legislation, statistics on inspection activities, copies of official documents such as annual reports of the National Working Environment Authority, etc.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Articles 4 and 6 of the Convention. The Committee notes that sections 42, 43 and 44 of the Act of 4 June 1986 on the working environment in Greenland provide for the possibility of derogations from the provisions of section 41, which requires the granting to the worker of a day of rest in the course of each period of seven days. It further notes from the Government’s information that no agreement on derogations have been concluded by the "Landsstyret and any organization". The Committee asks the Government to clarify what kind of authority and organizations are meant by these terms. It points out that under Article 4 of the Convention exceptions from the principle of the minimum rest period provided for under Article 2 of the Convention may only be authorized after consultation with the responsible associations of employers and workers. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on any authorization of exceptions and to communicate a list of the exceptions, according to Article 6 of the Convention.

Article 7. The Committee notes the Government’s view that it sees no need to require the employer to make weekly rest known to workers by means of notices or a roster, since each staff member was informed on weekly rest days and hours. It recalls that, according to this Article, each employer should be obliged: (a) where weekly rest is given to the whole of the staff collectively, to give certain notice of weekly rest periods in an approved manner; and (b) where the rest period is not granted to the whole of the staff collectively, to make known, by means of a roster, drawn up in accordance with the method approved by national legislation, or by a regulation of the competent authority, the workers subject to a special system of rest and to indicate that system. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to bring its legislation and practice into conformity with the Convention in this respect.

Parts III and V of the report form. The Government is requested to provide any available information on the practical application of the Convention, including the activities of the Greenland Labour Inspection, as required by the report form.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the Government’s report and the information contained in its reply to previous comments.

Articles 4 and 6 of the Convention. The Committee notes that sections 42, 43 and 44 of the Act of 4 June 1986 on the working environment in Greenland provide for the possibility of derogations from the provisions of section 41, which requires the granting to the worker of a day of rest in the course of each period of seven days. It further notes from the Government’s information that no agreement on derogations have been concluded by the "Landsstyret and any organization". The Committee asks the Government to clarify what kind of authority and organizations are meant by these terms. It points out that under Article 4 of the Convention exceptions from the principle of the minimum rest period provided for under Article 2 of the Convention may only be authorized after consultation with the responsible associations of employers and workers. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on any authorization of exceptions and to communicate a list of the exceptions, according to Article 6 of the Convention.

Article 7. The Committee notes the Government’s view that it sees no need to require the employer to make weekly rest known to workers by means of notices or a roster, since each staff member was informed on weekly rest days and hours. It recalls that, according to this Article, each employer should be obliged: (a) where weekly rest is given to the whole of the staff collectively, to give certain notice of weekly rest periods in an approved manner; and (b) where the rest period is not granted to the whole of the staff collectively, to make known, by means of a roster, drawn up in accordance with the method approved by national legislation, or by a regulation of the competent authority, the workers subject to a special system of rest and to indicate that system. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to bring its legislation and practice into conformity with the Convention in this respect.

Parts III and V of the report form. The Government is requested to provide any available information on the practical application of the Convention, including the activities of the Greenland Labour Inspection, as required by the report form.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and the information contained in its reply to previous comments.

Articles 4 and 6 of the Convention. The Committee notes that sections 42, 43 and 44 of the Act of 4 June 1986 on the working environment in Greenland provide for the possibility of derogations from the provisions of section 41, which requires the granting to the worker of a day of rest in the course of each period of seven days. It further notes from the Government’s information that no agreement on derogations have been concluded by the "Landsstyret and any organization". The Committee asks the Government to clarify what kind of authority and organizations are meant by these terms. It points out that under Article 4 of the Convention exceptions from the principle of the minimum rest period provided for under Article 2 of the Convention may only be authorized after consultation with the responsible associations of employers and workers. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on any authorization of exceptions and to communicate a list of the exceptions, according to Article 6 of the Convention.

Article 7. The Committee notes the Government’s view that it sees no need to require the employer to make weekly rest known to workers by means of notices or a roster, since each staff member was informed on weekly rest days and hours. It recalls that, according to this Article, each employer should be obliged: (a) where weekly rest is given to the whole of the staff collectively, to give certain notice of weekly rest periods in an approved manner; and (b) where the rest period is not granted to the whole of the staff collectively, to make known, by means of a roster, drawn up in accordance with the method approved by national legislation, or by a regulation of the competent authority, the workers subject to a special system of rest and to indicate that system. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to bring its legislation and practice into conformity with the Convention in this respect.

Parts III and V of the report form. The Government is requested to provide any available information on the practical application of the Convention, including the activities of the Greenland Labour Inspection, as required by the report form.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

        The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government in its last report on the application of the Convention. It requests the Government to provide, in each of its future reports, full and detailed information on the following points.

        Articles 4 and 6 of the Convention. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee requests the Government to provide a list of exceptions from existing legislation prescribing a weekly rest period of 24 hours.

        Article 7. The Government is asked to indicate which legislative provisions give effect to this Article of the Convention and to provide specimen copies of the notices and rosters that are used.

        Parts III and V of the report form. The Government is asked to provide as much information as possible on the activities of the inspection services including, where appropriate, relevant extracts from inspection reports or statistics on the number and nature of contraventions reported.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which reads as follows:

The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government in its last report on the application of the Convention. It requests the Government to provide, in each of its future reports, full and detailed information on the following points.

Articles 4 and 6 of the Convention.  With reference to its previous comments, the Committee requests the Government to provide a list of exceptions from existing legislation prescribing a weekly rest period of 24 hours.

Article 7.  The Government is asked to indicate which legislative provisions give effect to this Article of the Convention and to provide specimen copies of the notices and rosters that are used.

Parts III and V of the report form.  The Government is asked to provide as much information as possible on the activities of the inspection services including, where appropriate, relevant extracts from inspection reports or statistics on the number and nature of contraventions reported.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government in its last report on the application of the Convention. It requests the Government to provide, in each of its future reports, full and detailed information on the following points.

Articles 4 and 6 of the Convention. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee requests the Government to provide a list of exceptions from existing legislation prescribing a weekly rest period of 24 hours.

Article 7. The Government is asked to indicate which legislative provisions give effect to this Article of the Convention and to provide specimen copies of the notices and rosters that are used.

Points III and V of the report form. The Government is asked to provide as much information as possible on the activities of the inspection services including, where appropriate, relevant extracts from inspection reports or statistics on the number and nature of contraventions reported.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee notes that sections 53(3) and (4), 54, 55 and 56 of the Working Environment Act permit certain exceptions to the rule guaranteeing a weekly rest period of 24 hours. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in future reports on the practical application of these exceptions, and on any consultations with responsible associations of employers and workers in this connection.

Article 7. The Committee notes the Government's indication that due to the limited number of inspection staff it is difficult to ensure effective control of compliance with the weekly rest legislation. The Government is asked to provide information on the means used to ensure that days of rest are made known in accordance with the Convention.

Please also include in future reports available information on the organization and working of inspection (Part III of the report form).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee notes that sections 53(3) and (4), 54, 55 and 56 of the Working Environment Act permit certain exceptions to the rule guaranteeing a weekly rest period of 24 hours. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in future reports on the practical application of these exceptions, and on any consultations with responsible associations of employers and workers in this connection.

Article 7. The Committee notes the Government's indication that due to the limited number of inspection staff it is difficult to ensure effective control of compliance with the weekly rest legislation. The Government is asked to provide information on the means used to ensure that days of rest are made known in accordance with the Convention.

Please also include in future reports available information on the organisation and working of inspection (Part III of the report form).