Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2012, publiée 102ème session CIT (2013)

Convention (n° 140) sur le congé-éducation payé, 1974 - Zimbabwe (Ratification: 1998)

Granting paid educational leave. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in August 2012 in reply to the matters raised in its 2010 observation. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the concern expressed by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) with respect to the lack of minimum standards regarding paid educational leave in the private sector, since the Labour Act had no relevant provisions on the subject. The Committee notes with interest that, pursuant to tripartite consultations, it was agreed to incorporate the principles enshrined in Convention No. 140 into the Labour Act through the inclusion of paid educational leave in the list of areas for collective bargaining under section 74(3) of the Labour Act. The Government also indicates that it has identified with the social partners the need to formulate a policy in line with the Convention. It is expected that consultations towards the formulation of the policy will commence in the near future. The Committee notes the examples provided by the Government on paid educational leave in the private sector. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report relevant information related to the formulation of a policy designed to promote the granting of paid educational leave in association with employers’ and workers’ organizations (Articles 2–6 of the Convention). It also invites the Government to include detailed information on effective tripartite consultations held to coordinate the national policy and their results (Article 4).

Article 7 of the Convention. Financial arrangements. The Government indicates that the envisaged national policy on paid educational leave will provide for financial arrangements as well as for surveys to determine the amount of funds available for paid educational leave. The Committee invites the Government to indicate in its next report the measures envisaged within the national policy to finance arrangements for paid educational leave.

Article 8. Discrimination. The Government indicates that the envisaged national policy on paid educational leave will provide for measures to ensure that all workers have equal access to paid educational leave. Referring to its comments on the application of the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111), the Committee invites the Government to indicate in its next report the measures envisaged within the national policy to ensure that all workers have equal access to paid educational leave.