Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Norway (Ratification: 1949)

The Committee notes the observations made by the Federation of Oil Workers' Trade Union (OFS) and the Confederation of Norwegian Business Industry.

Articles 3 and 10 of the Convention. In its previous observation, the Committee had commented upon the need to remove the restrictions imposed on the right to strike in the oil industry through the imposition of compulsory arbitration and noted the Government's indication that the Labour Law Council was working on a proposal for a new labour disputes Act. The Committee expressed its hope that the Bill to be proposed would be in full conformity with the principles of freedom of association and would remove any restrictions imposed on the right of workers' organizations to organize their activities and formulate their programmes for furthering and defending their interests, without interference from the public authorities, through the use of compulsory arbitration.

The Committee notes that, according to the OFS, the suggestions made by the Labour Council entitled "Principles for a new Labour Disputes Act" are in contradiction with the principles of the Convention. The Committee asks the Government to reply to the comments made by the OFS in this regard and to provide information, in its next report, on any further developments in respect of the proposals made by the Labour Law Council.