Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Lao People's Democratic Republic (Ratification: 2010)

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

Articles 4(2) of the Convention. Arrangements for training. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous request concerning the application of the provisions of Article 4(2), which fully responds reply to its request.

Article 5(1). Effective tripartite consultations. The Committee requested the Government to provide updated detailed information on the specific content and outcome of tripartite consultations held on each of the matters related to international labour standards covered by the Article 5(1) of the Convention. The Government reports that consultations were held during the reporting period on the preparation of reports concerning the application of ratified Conventions to be submitted to the Office under article 22 of the ILO Constitution. In addition, tripartite meetings were held to examine unratified Conventions and Recommendations to which effect has not yet been given. In particular, the Committee notes that a proposal for possible ratification of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187), was referred to the national authorities. The Government adds that it will continue to periodically examine ILO instruments to identify those that it deems most beneficial for the country. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the frequency, content and outcome of tripartite consultations held during the reporting period on all matters concerning international labour standards covered by the Convention, particularly relating to tripartite consultations on the re-examination of unratified Convention. It also requests the Government to provide updated information on the outcome of the proposals developed through tripartite consultation regarding the possible ratification of Conventions Nos 155 and 187.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Articles 4(2) of the Convention. Arrangements for training. In its Committee’s previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to describe any arrangements made pursuant to Article 4(2) of the Convention for the financing of any necessary training of the participants on the consultative procedures covered under the Convention. The Government reports that, with the support of the ILO, the Tripartite Committee held a capacity building training for tripartite officers, including the National Assembly, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Education and Sport, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice. The Committee requests the Government to provide specific information on the nature of the arrangements made for the capacity building training for the tripartite officers referenced in the Government’s report, and the extent to which such officers are engaged in the tripartite consultation procedures contemplated under the Convention, in particular tripartite consultations within the National Tripartite Consultation Committee on Labour Relations (NTCC).

Article 5(1). Effective tripartite consultations. In its report, the Government indicates that it promotes tripartite consultation on the protection and benefit of employers and workers based on the 2013 Amendment to the Labour Law and other relevant documents. It adds that tripartite meetings are regularly conducted to discuss the implementation of the labour law, and that the draft decree on the organization of the National Labour Committee is currently being considered. Noting that the Government has not provided the specific information requested, the Committee once again requests that the Government provide updated detailed information on the specific content and the outcome of tripartite consultations held on each of the matters related to international labour standards covered by the Convention, namely: Government replies to questionnaires concerning Conference agenda items (Article 5(1)(a)); proposals to be made to the competent authorities in connection with the submission of instruments adopted by the Conference (Article 5(1)(b)); the re-examination at appropriate intervals of unratified Conventions and Recommendations to which effect has not yet been given (Article 5(1)(c)); and questions arising out of reports to be presented on the application of ratified Conventions (Article 5(1)(d)).

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

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments initially made in 2017.

Repetition

Article 5(1) of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. The Committee recalls that the National Tripartite Consultation Committee on Labour Relations (NTCC) was established in November 2010 to discuss matters related to international labour standards covered by the Convention. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to describe the manner in which representatives of employers and workers for the purposes of the Convention are selected, and to indicate the measures taken to ensure their representation on an equal footing on any bodies through which tripartite consultations are undertaken (Article 3). The Government indicates in its report that the NTCC includes representatives from the Department of Labour Management (Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare), the Lao Federation of Trade Unions and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Government adds that employers’ and workers’ representatives both have an equal number of representatives on the NTCC. The Committee notes from the report that during the reporting period the NTCC examined the following points: the agenda of the 104th Session of the International Labour Conference; the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy Recommendation, 2015 (No. 204); issues pertaining to the submission of instruments adopted by the Conference to the competent national authorities; proposals to ratify or denounce Conventions; and other labour-related matters. It further notes that the Government is attempting to improve the functioning of the NTCC by expanding its role to include discussions on skills development, social security and labour relations. The Committee requests the Government to provide more detailed information on the specific content, for instance indicating the instruments examined with a view to ratification, and the outcome of tripartite consultations held on each of the matters related to international labour standards listed in Article 5(1) of the Convention. It also requests the Government to describe any arrangements made for the financing of any necessary training of the participants on the consultative procedures (Article 4(2)).

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

Article 5(1) of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. The Committee recalls that the National Tripartite Consultation Committee on Labour Relations (NTCC) was established in November 2010 to discuss matters related to international labour standards covered by the Convention. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to describe the manner in which representatives of employers and workers for the purposes of the Convention are selected, and to indicate the measures taken to ensure their representation on an equal footing on any bodies through which tripartite consultations are undertaken (Article 3). The Government indicates in its report that the NTCC includes representatives from the Department of Labour Management (Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare), the Lao Federation of Trade Unions and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Government adds that employers’ and workers’ representatives both have an equal number of representatives on the NTCC. The Committee notes from the report that during the reporting period the NTCC examined the following points: the agenda of the 104th Session of the International Labour Conference; the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy Recommendation, 2015 (No. 204); issues pertaining to the submission of instruments adopted by the Conference to the competent national authorities; proposals to ratify or denounce Conventions; and other labour-related matters. It further notes that the Government is attempting to improve the functioning of the NTCC by expanding its role to include discussions on skills development, social security and labour relations. The Committee requests the Government to provide more detailed information on the specific content, for instance indicating the instruments examined with a view to ratification, and the outcome of tripartite consultations held on each of the matters related to international labour standards listed in Article 5(1) of the Convention. It also requests the Government to describe any arrangements made for the financing of any necessary training of the participants on the consultative procedures (Article 4(2)).

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

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes that the National Tripartite Consultation Committee on Labour Relations (NTCC) was established in November 2010. The Government indicates that the NTCC has set up a working schedule to hold meetings every quarter on labour-related matters. Discussions in the NTCC will cover all activities in the labour field, including the matters provided for in the Convention. The Government refers to the matters as follows: discussions related to ILO questionnaires; consideration given to first and regular reports; proposals to be made to the authorities in connection with the submission of Conventions and Recommendations pursuant to article 19 of the ILO Constitution; and proposals for the denunciation of ratified Conventions. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the content and outcome of tripartite consultations held on each of the matters related to international labour standards listed in Article 5(1) of the Convention. It also invites the Government to describe the manner in which the representatives of employers and workers for the purposes of the Convention are chosen, and to indicate what measures have been taken to ensure their representation on an equal footing on any bodies through which consultations are undertaken (Article 3). Please also describe any arrangements made for the financing of any necessary training of participants on the consultative procedures (Article 4(2)).

ILO technical assistance. The Government states in its report that tripartite consultation is an important issue for the country and it welcomes technical assistance from the ILO in order to define the function and role of the NTCC. The Committee recalls that the Office has the technical capacity to help strengthen social dialogue and support the activities that governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations undertake with respect to the consultations required by the Convention. The Committee hopes that the ILO will supply technical assistance, and the Government’s next report will contain information on measures taken in order to implement effective tripartite consultations within the meaning of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes that the National Tripartite Consultation Committee on Labour Relations (NTCC) was established in November 2010. The Government indicates that the NTCC has set up a working schedule to hold meetings every quarter on labour-related matters. Discussions in the NTCC will cover all activities in the labour field, including the matters provided for in the Convention. The Government refers to the matters as follows: discussions related to ILO questionnaires; consideration given to first and regular reports; proposals to be made to the authorities in connection with the submission of Conventions and Recommendations pursuant to article 19 of the ILO Constitution; and proposals for the denunciation of ratified Conventions. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the content and outcome of tripartite consultations held on each of the matters related to international labour standards listed in Article 5(1) of the Convention. It also invites the Government to describe the manner in which the representatives of employers and workers for the purposes of the Convention are chosen, and to indicate what measures have been taken to ensure their representation on an equal footing on any bodies through which consultations are undertaken (Article 3). Please also describe any arrangements made for the financing of any necessary training of participants on the consultative procedures (Article 4(2)).

ILO technical assistance. The Government states in its report that tripartite consultation is an important issue for the country and it welcomes technical assistance from the ILO in order to define the function and role of the NTCC. The Committee recalls that the Office has the technical capacity to help strengthen social dialogue and support the activities that governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations undertake with respect to the consultations required by the Convention. The Committee hopes that the ILO will supply technical assistance, and the Government’s next report will contain information on measures taken in order to implement effective tripartite consultations within the meaning of the Convention.

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

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention received in November 2012. It notes that the National Tripartite Consultation Committee on Labour Relations (NTCC) was established in November 2010. The Government indicates that the NTCC has set up a working schedule to hold meetings every quarter on labour-related matters. Discussions in the NTCC will cover all activities in the labour field, including the matters provided for in the Convention. The Government refers to the matters as follows: discussions related to ILO questionnaires; consideration given to first and regular reports; proposals to be made to the authorities in connection with the submission of Conventions and Recommendations pursuant to article 19 of the ILO Constitution; and proposals for the denunciation of ratified Conventions. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the content and outcome of tripartite consultations held on each of the matters related to international labour standards listed in Article 5(1) of the Convention. It also invites the Government to describe the manner in which the representatives of employers and workers for the purposes of the Convention are chosen, and to indicate what measures have been taken to ensure their representation on an equal footing on any bodies through which consultations are undertaken (Article 3). Please also describe any arrangements made for the financing of any necessary training of participants on the consultative procedures (Article 4(2)).

ILO technical assistance. The Government states in its report that tripartite consultation is an important issue for the country and it welcomes technical assistance from the ILO in order to define the function and role of the NTCC. The Committee recalls that the Office has the technical capacity to help strengthen social dialogue and support the activities that governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations undertake with respect to the consultations required by the Convention. The Committee hopes that the ILO will supply technical assistance, and the Government’s next report will contain information on measures taken in order to implement effective tripartite consultations within the meaning of the Convention.