Effect given to the recommendations of the committee and the Governing Body - Report No 332, November 2003

Case No 1957 (Bulgaria) - Complaint date: 12-MAR-98 - Closed

Effect given to the recommendations of the Committee and the Governing Body

1. 19. The Committee last examined this case, which concerns the eviction of trade union premises and confiscation of trade union property of the National Syndical Federation (GMH) at its November 2002 meeting [see 329th Report, paras. 19-21]. On that occasion, the Committee expressed its regret that the Government had not settled these issues, more than three years after the filing of the complaint; it once again urged the Government to hold discussions without delay with the complainant organization with a view to settling the pending issues, and to keep it informed of developments.
2. 20. In a communication of 19 May 2003, the Government indicates that the members of the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation were requested to provide information about any activity of the GMH. Based on the answers received, there is no information about such activity at national, sectoral or regional level. The issues about the unsettled financial obligations of the GMH due for current expenses, as well as some property issues, remain pending.
3. 21. The Committee notes this information. Recalling that this complaint, which dates back to March 1998, involves very serious violations of freedom of association principles (i.e. acts by authorities which make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for a trade union to function normally), the Committee once again urges the Government to hold, without delay, meaningful discussions with the complainant organization with a view to settling the issues of trade union premises and confiscation of trade union property of the GMH, and to keep it promptly informed of developments.