Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Mali (Ratification: 2008)

The Committee notes the observations of the Democratic Confederation of Workers of Mali (CDTM), which are contained in the Government’s report.

Article 5 of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. In its previous comments, the Committee asked the Government to undertake a new examination, in consultation with the representative organizations concerned, of the ways in which it is ensured that the representative organizations of employers and workers effectively participate in the tripartite consultations on international labour standards required under the Convention. It also asked the Government to keep it informed of any developments regarding the decree establishing the National Social Dialogue Council and to provide a copy following its adoption. In its reply, the Government emphasizes that all representative organizations of employers and workers effectively participate on the same footing in the tripartite consultations on international labour standards. The Government indicates that the procedures for consultation of the social partners consist of: (i) the transmission of correspondence and questionnaires for the formulation of the Government’s replies to questionnaires and the holding of tripartite information meetings regarding comments on proposed texts to be discussed by the International Labour Conference (ILC); (ii) the organization of information and awareness-raising workshops for the dissemination of Conventions and Recommendations recently adopted by the ILC; (iii) the holding of consultation meetings regarding the submission of Conventions or Recommendations; (iv) the organization of tripartite meetings, information and awareness-raising workshops for the promotion of unratified Conventions and of Recommendations; (v) the holding of workshops or meetings for the collection of data for the preparation of reports on ratified Conventions; and (vi) the transmission of correspondence and questionnaires on proposals for the abrogation of Conventions and the withdrawal of Recommendations. The Government adds that the principle of tripartite meetings or workshops was adopted on the basis of suggestions made by the ILO Subregional Office in Dakar and that the consultation procedures did not give rise to any particular objections from the social partners. However, there is no advisory committee on standards for the moment. The Committee also notes the information provided by the Government on the application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the draft decree establishing the National Social Dialogue Council was adopted internally by the Ministry of Labour in May 2020 and that tripartite meetings will be held with the most representative organizations of employers and workers before its adoption by the Government. The Committee expects that the draft decree establishing the National Social Dialogue Council will be adopted in the very near future and requests the Government to send a copy of it to the Office once it has been adopted, and also information on the setting up of the Council and its activities. The Committee also requests the Government to continue providing detailed information on the frequency, content and outcome of tripartite consultations held on the matters covered by the Convention.

Article 5(1)(c). Re-examination of unratified Conventions. The Committee previously asked the Government to continue providing information on the consultations regarding the re-examination at appropriate intervals of unratified Conventions and of Recommendations to which effect has not yet been given, particularly the Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129). The Committee notes the Government’s indication that a tripartite information and awareness-raising workshop was held in collaboration with the Office on 27 and 28 March 2019 with a view to promoting the ratification of the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), and the Holidays with Pay Convention (Revised), 1970 (No. 132). The Committee notes with interest that the Government indicates that, in the context of the re-examination of Convention No. 102, the Ministry of Labour organized a tripartite consultation meeting on 24 July 2019 and that further to these consultations, the Bill for the ratification of the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), has been brought before the National Assembly. Moreover, the Government indicates that because of the COVID-19 pandemic it has not been possible to hold any tripartite workshops or meetings in 2020 and 2021 on the re-examination of unratified Conventions, but it reiterates its wish to pursue the re-examination on an annual basis. In this regard, it states that priority can be given to considering, in conjunction with the most representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, the desirability of ratifying the Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129). The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of all progress made regarding the ratification of Convention No. 102. The Committee also requests the Government to continue providing updated information on the outcome of tripartite consultations on the re-examination of unratified Conventions, in particular Convention No. 129.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee recalls the comprehensive guidance provided by international labour standards. It encourages Member States to engage more extensively in tripartite consultation and social dialogue as a solid foundation for developing and implementing effective responses to the profound socio-economic repercussions of the pandemic. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing updated information in its next report on measures taken in this respect, in accordance with Article 4 of the Convention and Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Recommendation No. 152, including with a view to capacity-building for the tripartite constituents and strengthening mechanisms and procedures, and also on challenges and good practices identified.