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

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Netherlands (Ratification: 1978)

Article 5 of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government regarding the tripartite consultations held between 1 June 2018 and 1 June 2021, to discuss matters related to international labour standards. The Government indicates that, during the reporting period, at least three regular tripartite meetings took place each year, in which the tripartite partners discussed a range of matters, including: the items on the agenda of the International Labour Conference (Article 5(1)(a)); Governing Body sessions; the possible ratification of a number of ILO Conventions (Article 5(1)(c)); and article 19 and article 22 reports (Article 5(1)(d)). The Committee notes that several technical meetings and tripartite consultations took place regarding, inter alia, the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No.190). The Government reports that frequent tripartite consultations are held with the Dutch social partners, on a variety of topics, including on matters regarding the possible ratification and implementation of conventions. Formal consultations are organised as part of the preparations for the International Labour Conference (ILC) and the Governing Body, in which the Government shares its views on the items on the agenda and invites the social partners to provide their views. The Government indicates that before and during the ILC meetings, meetings are organized with the entire delegation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including government representatives and representatives of the social partners from the Netherlands, Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten.

The Committee notes the response of the Government to the observations of the National Federation of Christian Trade Unions (CNV), the Netherlands Trade Union Confederation (FNV) and the Trade Union Federation for Professionals (VCP) received on 28 August 2018. In light of the workers’ organizations’ 2018 observations regarding the late receipt of Government reports, the Committee notes with interest that the Government undertakes to provide draft version of reports to the social partners for their comments at least two months prior to the deadline. In addition, new working arrangements have been agreed regarding the timely submission by the Government of the documents. The Government further indicates that the comments of the social partners are always included in the final version of the reports that the ILO receives. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the content and outcome of the tripartite consultations held on the matters covered by Article 5 of the Convention.