Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Togo (Ratification: 1983)

Individual Case (CAS) - Discussion: 2026, Publication: 114th ILC session (2026)

Written information provided by the Government

Article 5(1) of the Convention: Effective tripartite consultations

The Government has always organized its participation in the International Labour Conference on a tripartite basis, not only by covering the expenses of the social partners in full, but above all by involving them in advance in the examination and analysis of all reports to be considered by the Committee. The items placed on the agenda are shared. Reports on ratified and unratified Conventions are also shared, although it is regrettable that workers’ organizations struggle to submit any amendments or observations they may wish to make. Prior to departure for the Conference, the Government organizes meetings with all participants. The Government endeavours to ensure the application of the Conventions that it has freely ratified and does not hesitate to seek support from the Office in case of major difficulties.

The Government has not denounced any ILO Convention to date. All standards adopted at the Conference are submitted to the competent national authorities, namely the National Assembly, for information purposes. The most recent Convention concerning biological hazards and its Recommendation have also been submitted, and the acknowledgement of receipt from the National Assembly will be transmitted to the Office as soon as it is available.

Article 3(1): Free choice of representatives of employers and workers

In order to ensure the free choice of representatives of employers and workers, in accordance with Article 3(1) of the Convention, the Labour Code provides for the following provisions:

• Section 12: “The employer or his representative may not employ any means of pressure in support of or against any trade union organization. Any measure taken by the employer contrary to the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall be considered null and void and shall give rise to penal sanctions and the payment of damages”.
• Section 13(1): “The founders of any trade union shall file with the competent authority the statutes, the minutes of the constituent general assembly and a list containing the full names, dates and places of birth, nationalities, places of residence, status, professions/occupations and the criminal records of the persons who, in whatever capacity, are responsible for its administration or management”.

With regard to the comments made concerning section 3 of Decree No. 2022-022/PR of 23 February 2022 and section 14 of the Labour Code, the Government has taken note thereof and will take all necessary measures to comply with the provisions of Article 3 of the Convention.

Article 4(2): Financing of any necessary training of participants in consultation procedures

In order to support and promote trade union activities, the Government allocates an annual budget of 150 million CFA francs to workers’ and employers’ organizations. Part of this budget is used to finance the participation of 14 trade union officers and eight employers at the Conference, and in worker training. Unfortunately, it has been observed that these trade union officers attach little importance to such worker training and may instead use the funds for other activities, as no activity reports have been submitted to the Government following their disbursement. Nevertheless, the Government spares no effort to involve employers’ and workers’ organizations in various training and capacity-building activities for actors in the world of work whenever necessary.

Articles 5(2) and 6: Consultations at regular intervals – production of an annual report

The National Council for Social Dialogue (CNDS) holds two annual sessions, and extraordinary sessions when necessary. The most recent session of the CNDS was held in September 2022. The following topics were addressed:

• status of implementation of the memorandum on the national education sector;
• situation in the health sector;
• social grievances, including issues relating to the high cost of living;
• impact and implications of the security situation in the subregion and in Togo.

It should be noted that, since November 2022, Togo has engaged in a process aimed at re-establishing its social dialogue. This took the form of a national forum on social dialogue bringing together the social partners and civil society actors. At the conclusion of these discussions, the parties signed a road map containing several measures, including the adoption of a social stability and inclusive growth pact, and the reinvigoration of the CNDS. Subsequently, a tripartite committee comprising representatives of the Government, employers and workers was established by order of the Minister for Labour and Social Dialogue (Order No. 3302/MFPTDS/SG/DGT establishing the tripartite technical steering committee for the implementation of the social stability pact). The objective of the committee is to oversee the work relating to the adoption of a social stability and inclusive growth pact. A national consultant has been appointed. The committee has already provisionally approved the consultant’s work. The next stage will be the final approval of the document.

Discussion by the Committee

Chairperson – The fourth case of the day concerns the application of the Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144), by Togo. For the discussion on this case, there are 18 speakers registered on the list of speakers. On this basis, the Officers have decided to reduce the maximum speaking time of delegates speaking in their individual capacity from five to three minutes.

I will now invite the Government representative of Togo, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Civil Service, Labour and Social Dialogue, to take the floor.

Government representative– First of all, we welcome the work of the members of the Committee, which allows us to provide you with further information on the efforts of the Government and to receive your feedback in order to make improvements.

For the Government, freedom of expression and the respect and guarantee of fundamental rights are essential conditions that enable the social partners to establish and operate free, independent and representative organizations. They also foster the promotion of dialogue and regular consultations at the national level between the public authorities and workers’ and employers’ organizations, which are important drivers of government action in Togo.

To facilitate a better understanding of the case under discussion, allow us to recall the following.

In the framework of the implementation of the Convention ratified by our country in 1983, the Government has adopted important measures through legislation, regulation and agreements:

Firstly, there are several provisions at the constitutional level:

• article 5(1) on the free expression of thought;
• article 9 on the freedom of assembly and demonstration;
• article 10 on associations;
• and article 19(2), which stipulates that workers may form trade unions and join trade unions of their choosing.

In addition to the Constitution, there is also legislation, in particular the Act of 18 June 2021 issuing the Labour Code (in this regard, see section 212, titles XI and XII; and chapters I, II and IV of title II).

The Government has implemented regulations. In this regard, we draw attention to the Decree of 13 March 2007 on the structure and operation of the National Council for Social Dialogue (CNDS). There is also the Decree of 23 February 2022 on the powers, structure and operation of the National Labour Council (CNT).

In addition to decrees, we also have several government orders that have been implemented by the Government to further give effect to this Convention. We also have provisions under collective agreements. There are several of these provisions, which we mentioned in our document.

Besides the provisions contained in the Constitution, legislation and regulations, it is also necessary to note the establishment of several consultation bodies; committees and executive boards have been set up on a tripartite basis. In this regard, I would like to cite the National Committee for the Management of the Apprenticeship, Training and Professional Development Fund. There is the executive board of the National Social Security Fund. There is also the steering committee for the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), the National Steering Committee to Combat Child Labour and the Labour and Social Dialogue Committee.

As part of the ongoing process to establish the Economic and Social Council in our country, which involves in particular the social partners, it should be noted that the social partners were included in the decision to set up the Council, which comprises the social partners and also civil society representatives. The Council is an advisory body responsible for issuing opinions and recommendations on draft legislation and regulations, and on public policies that have an impact, in particular, on economic, social and environmental matters. Through its action, the Economic and Social Council contributes to strengthening citizen participation and to informing public decision-making.

Furthermore, true to its commitment to dialogue and consultation as drivers of economic and social development, the Government involved the social partners in the national consultations conducted in May 2026, as part of the road map 2026–2031, which is a strategic reference document for public action. This participative approach demonstrates the willingness of the authorities to promote the collective ownership of development guidelines and to strengthen the inclusion of the different stakeholders in the national planning process.

Concerning the comments made on Article 4(2) of the Convention in relation to the financing of any necessary training of participants in consultation procedures, the Government, allocates an annual budget of 150 million CFA francs to workers’ and employers’ organizations, in order to support social dialogue and strengthen the capacities of the social partners. Part of this budget is used to finance the participation of 14 workers’ representatives and 8 employers’ representatives at the International Labour Conference, as well as various trade union and vocational training activities.

The Government welcomes this ongoing support and attaches particular importance to building the capacities of professional organizations. However, the Government notes that the information on the use of the funds allocated to training activities and the results achieved is not systematically communicated after disbursements are made. Improved communication of activity reports would allow for a more comprehensive assessment of the impact of the actions undertaken and for the identification of any additional support needs. The Government remains fully committed to promoting capacity-building among stakeholders in the world of work and continues to closely involve workers’ and employers’ organizations in the various training and skills development initiatives implemented, as needed.

Concerning the comments on Articles 5(2) and 6 of the Convention, with regard to consultation at regular intervals and the production of an annual report, we indicate that the CNDS holds two annual sessions, and extraordinary sessions when necessary. The most recent session of the CNDS was held in September 2022. The following topics were addressed:

• the status of implementation of the memorandum on the national education sector;
• the situation in the health sector;
• social grievances, including issues relating to the high cost of living; and
• the impact and implications of the security situation in the subregion and in Togo.

It is important to note that, since November 2022, our country has engaged in a process aimed at re-establishing its social dialogue. This took the form of a forum on national social dialogue bringing together the social partners and civil society actors. At the conclusion of these discussions, the parties signed a road map containing several measures, including the adoption of a social stability and inclusive growth pact, and the reinvigoration of the CNDS.

After the National Social Dialogue Forum, a tripartite committee comprising representatives of the Government, employers and workers was established by order of the Minister for Labour and Social Dialogue. The objective of the committee is to oversee the work relating to the adoption of a social stability and inclusive growth pact. A national consultant has been appointed. The committee has already provisionally approved the consultant’s work. The next stage will be the final approval of the document.

Concerning the comment on Article 5(1) of the Convention regarding effective tripartite consultations, the Government has always organized its participation in the Conference on a tripartite basis, not only by the expenses of the social partners in full, but above all by involving them in advance in the examination and analysis of all reports to be considered by the Committee.

The items placed on the agenda are shared. Reports on ratified and unratified Conventions are also shared, although it is noted that workers’ organizations struggle to submit any amendments or observations they may wish to make. Prior to departure for the Conference, the Government organizes meetings with all participants. The Government endeavours to ensure the application of the Conventions that it has freely ratified and does not hesitate to seek assistance from the Office in case of major difficulties.

The Government has never denounced any ILO Convention. All standards adopted at the Conference are submitted to the competent national authorities, that is, the National Assembly, for information purposes. The most recent Convention concerning biological hazards and its Recommendation have also been submitted.

On Article 3(1) concerning the free choice of representatives of employers and workers, the Labour Code sets out the following provisions:

Section 12: “The employer or his representative may not employ any means of pressure in support of or against any trade union organization. Any measure taken by the employer contrary to the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall be considered null and void and shall give rise to penal sanctions and the payment of damages”. This is the substance of section 12.

Section 13(1): “The founders of any trade union shall file with the competent authority the statutes, the minutes of the constituent general assembly and a list containing the full names, dates and places of birth, nationalities, places of residence, status, professions/occupations and the criminal records of the persons who, in whatever capacity, are responsible for its administration or management”.

The Government has taken note of the comments made concerning section 3 of Decree No. 2022-022/PR of 23 February 2022 and on section 14 of the Labour Code, and will take all necessary measures to comply with Article 3 of the Convention.

Social dialogue is an ongoing process requiring the constant commitment of all stakeholders. The Government remains open to contributions from the social partners and other stakeholders.

Worker members – Throughout our work, we will continue to underscore the need to organize social dialogue in an effective way, in order to understand all the issues that may arise in the implementation of international labour instruments.

Social dialogue cuts across all ILO instruments. This Convention directly addresses the need to organize social dialogue. It has also been acceded to by many ILO Member States, with already 159 ratifications to date. Ratification of the Convention is essential, as is its observance in law and in practice. Today we are going to examine the application of the Convention by Togo, which the country ratified in 1983. This case has not yet been discussed by our Committee. However, two recent comments by the Committee of Experts, first in 2024 and subsequently in 2025, have indicated persistent difficulties.

The main issue in the case of Togo remains the absence of effective tripartite consultations on all of the matters set out in Article 5(1) of the Convention. The additional information provided by the Government indicates some institutional activity but it does not address the underlying concerns raised by the Committee of Experts.

The Government indicates in the written information provided that the CNDS usually holds two annual sessions and that it can also convene extraordinary sessions. However, the most recent session mentioned was held in September 2022 and the topics addressed – the education sector, health sector, high cost of living and the security situation – are related to social dialogue in its broader sense, thus failing to show that the consultations required by the Convention effectively covered international labour standards.

Added to this is institutional uncertainty. The Government previously cited the National Taskforce on International Labour Standards (CNIT), responsible for drawing up reports and the consideration of ratifications, but it now refers to a process of re-establishing social dialogue initiated in November 2022, a national forum and a tripartite committee responsible for drafting a social stability and inclusive growth pact. These initiatives may be useful, but they do not yet clarify which entity conducts, on a regular and structured basis, the consultations specifically required by the Convention.

The Government states that it organizes its participation in the Conference on a tripartite basis, that it shares the items placed on the agenda, discusses certain reports prior to departure for Geneva and submits adopted standards to the National Assembly for information purposes.

It also underscores that it has not denounced any Convention and indicates that it seeks support from the Office in case of difficulties. These elements are a step in the right direction but are not enough to determine the existence of consultations covering, on an ongoing and documented basis, each of the five subjects set out in in Article 5(1), in particular, the re-examination of unratified Conventions and of Recommendations to which effect has not yet been given, and the provision of specific information on the content and outcomes of discussions.

In other words, it is not enough to cite meetings, information-sharing or joint participation in the Conference. The Convention requires an identifiable mechanism, regular consultations, verifiable reports and traceable outcomes for each of the subjects covered. Yet, the information provided by the Government remains incomplete and insufficiently convincing in light of the requirements of the Convention.

The Government also indicates, in the written information submitted to our Committee, that, regarding the necessary training of participants in consultation procedures under Article 4(2), it allocates an annual budget of 150 million CFA francs to employers’ and workers’ organizations, part of which is used to finance participation in the Conference and training activities. However, it admits that this training is not properly structured or monitored, and that no clear mechanism has been established yet to ensure, in collaboration with the representative organizations, the effective financing of the training required by the Convention.

Beyond the effectiveness of consultations, the case of Togo also raises a key issue concerning Article 3(1) of the Convention: the free choice of the employers’ and workers’ representatives called upon to participate in these procedures.

Concerning the free choice of representatives, the Government rightly cites the safeguards provided for in section 12 of the Labour Code against any pressure from employers, and section 13 concerning the filing of statutes and information on trade union leaders. These provisions are evidence of an existing legal framework but do not entirely address the issue identified by the Committee of Experts.

The main obstacle remains the restrictions set out in section 14 of the Labour Code, which are reproduced in section 3 of Decree No. 2022-022/PR. The Government states that it has taken note of the comments made on this matter and commits to taking the necessary measures to comply with Article 3 of the Convention. This commitment is a positive step, but it must now lead to concrete changes, in order to ensure that the free choice of representatives is guaranteed not only in principle, but also in practice. Compliance with the Convention means that employers’ and workers’ representatives must be freely chosen by their representative organizations, in law and in practice, without disproportionate restrictions that could undermine the independence or representativeness of the social partners.

What we expect is clear: accurate and verifiable information on the competent body, the frequency of consultations, the content and outcomes of those consultations, the follow-up to discussions, the financing arrangements for the necessary training, and the concrete measures taken to remove the legal barriers to the free choice of representatives. These commitments must now be translated into measurable progress, in order for tripartite social dialogue in Togo to fully comply with the requirements of the Convention.

Employer members – The Employer members have noted with interest the information shared by the Government. Togo ratified Convention No. 144 in 1983. This case has never been discussed by the Committee. The Committee of Experts has made two observations concerning this case: the first in 2024, and the second in 2025. Before turning to the specific issues at hand, the Employer members want to reiterate the importance of Convention No. 144, one of the four ILO governance Conventions. One hundred and fifty-nine ILO Member States have ratified Convention No. 144 since its adoption 50 years ago. Convention No. 144 promotes effective tripartite consultations on ILO standards-related matters and helps ensure that both employers’ and workers’ organizations have a voice on decisions related to international labour standards at the national level. The Convention embodies the ILO’s founding principle of tripartism. As the ILO has noted itself, this Convention plays a strong role in promoting informed policy decisions, building trust among Governments and social partners, and ensuring compliance with other ILO Conventions and Recommendations.

Turning to the issues at hand, this case concerns two issues. The first issue concerns the effectiveness of the Government’s tripartism consultations. The Committee of Experts noted that, based on the minutes from the sessions of Togo’s National Council for Social Dialogue (CNDS) for 2020, 2021 and 2022, that the Government’s consultations with social partners do not appear to address all of the matters required under Article 5(1) of the Convention. This observation follows the Committee of Experts’ 2024 observations that it had made repeated and unanswered requests for detailed information on tripartite consultations.

Article 5(1) of the Convention commits ratifying States to operating procedures which ensure effective consultations between representatives of the Government, employers and workers regarding various matters that support international labour standards, including, among other things:

• government replies to questionnaires concerning the International Labour Conference;
• proposals in connection with the submission of Conventions and Recommendations;
• measures to propose ratification or implementation of unratified Conventions and Recommendations or, conversely, denunciation of ratified Conventions.

It also includes consultation regarding questions arising out of the reports submitted to the Office under article 22 of the Constitution of the ILO.

We have taken note of the Government’s response, including that since November 2022, Togo has engaged in a process aimed at re-establishing its social dialogue. For example, it has established the CNIT, whose mandate includes preparing technical files for reports on ILO instruments and proposals for the ratification of unratified Conventions. We welcome the Government of Togo’s indication that employers’ and workers’ organizations participate in preparation for the International Labour Conference and the Government’s contribution, for example, in covering the expenses of social partners. We also welcome the Government’s willingness to seek ILO technical assistance.

At the same time, the Employer members recall that the Convention protects and promotes effective tripartite consultations. The Convention does not prescribe a particular institutional model. What matters is that effective tripartite consultations are held on each of the matters set out in Article 5(1). These consultations should give genuine consideration to the positions of social partner organizations. We take note of the Government’s observation concerning difficulties it has encountered in obtaining comments from social partners. This underlines the importance of bolstering efforts to strengthen the capacity of all representative organizations to participate effectively in consultation procedures on Article 5(1) matters. We therefore encourage the Government, in consultation with the ILO and the most representative social partner organizations, to ensure that effective tripartite consultations take place on each of the matters set out in Article 5(1) of the Convention. We further encourage the Government to provide detailed reports to the ILO describing these consultations, the participants, and the outcomes.

The second issue identified by the Committee of Experts’ concerns the ability of employers’ and workers’ groups to freely choose their representatives. The Committee of Experts has noted that the Labour Code protects against employer interference in trade union organizations. However, the Committee of Experts also notes that section 14 of the Labour Code and a Decree from 2022 – which together restrict access to union leadership for those who have been convicted of certain offences involving the loss of civic rights or correctional penalties – could have the effect of limiting eligibility for certain individuals for union leadership. The Committee considered that these restrictions could undermine the principle of free choice and affect representativeness in consultation processes. The Employer members recall the importance of the most representative employers’ and workers’ organizations having the ability to freely choose their representatives, as set out in Article 3(1) of the Convention.

We note and welcome the Government’s stated commitment to take all necessary measures to ensure compliance with that Article in response to the Committee’s observation. In response, we encourage the Government to coordinate with the ILO to provide detailed information on the measures that it has implemented, or plans to implement, to achieve compliance with Article 3(1) of the Convention. We look forward to hearing from other groups in respect of this case.

Worker member, Togo – Togo ratified the Convention in 1983. Over 40 years after its ratification, the question that arises today is not whether tripartite consultation institutions exist on paper. The real question is whether the Government really believes in social dialogue, because the application of the Convention does not consist of creating structures, but of making them live. It does not consist of occasionally organizing forums or meetings, but of institutionalizing dialogue. It does not consist of informing workers once decisions have been made, it requires workers to be consulted before decisions are made. And it is precisely in this respect that Togo is today at fault.

The Government may recall the creation of the CNDS in 2007, the CNIT in 2008, or even the organization of the National Social Dialogue Forum in 2022. But the reality is quite different. The Committee of Experts has already noted that the minutes of the sessions of the CNDS between 2020 and 2022 do not show that the subjects covered by Article 5 of the Convention were examined in practice. In other words, the institution created for the examination of international labour standards did not really cover international labour standards. Here is the first contradiction. The Government has created dialogue institutions without allowing them to fully carry out their mission.

The second contradiction is even more striking. A budget item continues to be envisaged for the operation of the CNDS, But, actual consultations have practically ceased since 2021. The institution exists in administrative terms, but it no longer really functions in practice. Now, a budget item is not social dialogue. A budget item is not consultation. A budget item is not the proof of compliance with an international convention. What is the use of maintaining a vehicle that never leaves the garage? The Workers therefore have good reason to raise a simple question: is the objective to promote dialogue, or merely to keep up appearances? Even the study missions organized in Algeria, Senegal and Benin have not resulted in the rekindling of a real tripartite dynamic, and the institution remains paralysed. It is the same old story.

In reply to the comments of the ILO, the Government indicated that the CNIT meets once a year prior to the International Labour Conference. And yet, the Decree governing the CNIT provides for two meetings a year. Even more surprising is that the CNIT has never actually been established. We are no longer faced with mere administrative weakness. We are confronted by a piece of institutional fiction. Reference is being made to bodies that are not operating. Reference is made to consultations that are not being held. Mechanisms are being referred to which essentially only exist on paper.

The most revealing example undoubtedly concerns the revision of the General Public Service Regulations. When a trade union leader asked to see their text before they were adopted, he received the response: “In matters of legislative reform, the Government does not indulge in co-production.” This phrase deserves our full attention, as it goes to the heart of the problem. The Convention is precisely based on the idea that labour legislation should not be formulated unilaterally. It should be the outcome of a process of consultation between governments, employers and workers.

If consultation is perceived as a constraint rather than an obligation, the problem is not of a technical nature. The problem is political. And yet, after keeping the workers away from the process, the Government declared that the reform had been carried out following broad consultation. And here is the third contradiction. Workers are refused access to the text, because they are told that they have been consulted. They are excluded from the process, and then it is claimed that dialogue took place. And finally, they are asked to have confidence in a process from which they have been deliberately excluded.

The consequences of this situation are not theoretical. When tripartism is weakened, violations increase. When consultation disappears, disputes are intensified. When social dialogue becomes an exercise in keeping up appearances, rather than a real practice, industrial relations inevitably deteriorate. And that is exactly what is being experienced today by the workers of Togo. The industrial relations climate is increasingly reflecting a culture in which dialogue is limited, rather than encouraged.

The examples brought to our attention are not isolated incidents. They are the symptoms of a deeper problem, namely the progressive shrinking of the space accorded to social dialogue. Let us take the case of the SUNU Bank Togo. Forty-two workers, including six trade union officers and 27 women, were dismissed under the pretext of economic difficulties. And yet, the audit by the Banking Commission of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) concluded that the bank’s difficulties were mainly the result of managerial issues. But beyond the legal aspects of this case, there remains a fundamental question: where was the social dialogue? In a healthy industrial relations system, crises are first dealt with through consultation, negotiation and efforts to find common solutions. The fact that a crisis of this significance resulted in large-scale dismissals rather than negotiated solutions bears witness to the weakening of the culture of dialogue that the Convention aims to promote.

The same conclusion has to be drawn in the case of the Société Nouvelle Industrie. On 9 January 2026, eight workers, including three union delegates, were dismissed for having participated in a strike ten months previously. When union officials are punished for representing workers, the consequences go well beyond the persons concerned. The message sent out to workers as a whole is clear. Representation is becoming risky. Participation is becoming dangerous. Keeping silent is becoming safer than talking. And fear is the enemy of social dialogue.

The same logic applies to the restrictions imposed on trade union meetings. In October 2025, the security forces encircled a private location in order to prevent the holding of a union meeting. However, according to the Government’s own interpretation, simple prior notification would have sufficed. This is not just a question of public freedoms. It is also a matter of social dialogue. Unions must be able to meet, consult their members, draw up their positions and build consensus before entering into discussions with employers and the public authorities. Without holding consultations with the workers, there can be no genuine tripartite consultation. It is difficult not to see the irony.

A Government that regularly refers to dialogue as evidence of its compliance appears to be increasingly ill at ease when workers talk among themselves. The problem that is before us today goes well beyond simple procedural issues. The real issue is that of credibility. A tripartite institution that does not meet is not dialogue. Consultation that excludes workers is not consultation. A reform drawn up without real participation is not tripartism. An inactive institution does not become effective because it has a budget.

The Convention had the ambition of promoting trust between governments, employers and workers. In Togo, this trust is being progressively eroded because institutions are becoming merely symbolic, whereas they should be tools. The Government cannot go on claiming the existence of structures as proof of compliance, when even the substance of dialogue is disappearing. The workers of Togo do not need more dialogue mechanisms. They need institutions that work. They do not need more statements in support of dialogue. They need dialogue itself. It is for that reason that we are calling on the Government to re-establish effective tripartite consultations, make the existing institutions fully operational, guarantee the real participation of the social partners in labour reforms and fully respect the letter and the spirit of the Convention.

Togo is not suffering from a lack of structures. It is suffering from a lack of political will to make them work. And for as long as this political will is lacking, compliance with the Convention will remain more apparent than real.

Government member, Morocco – I have the honour of taking the floor on behalf of the Government delegation of the Kingdom of Morocco. In the first place, we wish to thank the Government for the detailed information provided to the Committee. The information reflects a willingness to cooperate with the ILO supervisory machinery and a commitment to continue strengthening social dialogue in a spirit of openness, responsibility and dialogue with the social partners. We take this opportunity to reaffirm our respect for the essential role of the Committee, as its work is a supporting tool for continuous improvement by Member States.

This Convention occupies a special position in the ILO standards system as it sets out an essential requirement for social governance, namely effective tripartite consultation. In this regard, the Moroccan delegation notes with interest that Togo has in place a significant legal and institutional framework offering the necessary fundamental guarantees for the exercise of social dialogue.

We also welcome the existence of tripartite consultation bodies, and particularly the CNDS and the CNT, as well as the progress and dynamism seen in collective bargaining. We also take due note of the considerable financial efforts made by the Government to strengthen the capacities of the social partners.

The delegation of Morocco supports the efforts made by the Republic of Togo to consolidate tripartite social dialogue and reinforce the application of the Convention. It invites the ILO to continue its technical assistance to Togo in support of the reforms that have been launched, the strengthening of social dialogue institutions and the sustainable promotion of decent work.

Worker member, Burkina Faso – The examination of the case of Togo in relation to the present Convention goes to the very heart of the ILO’s DNA, namely tripartism and social dialogue. Ratified over 40 years ago, this fundamental Convention sets out clear obligations which, unfortunately, have remained largely theoretical in practice in Togo. Successive reports of the Committee of Experts bring to light persistent failures of compliance in three essential areas.

First, the absence of effective and regular consultations. Article 5 requires consultations at appropriate intervals (at least once a year) on the reports due to the ILO and proposals for the ratification or denunciation of Conventions. And the finding is that, for decades, the Government of Togo has confined itself to reiterating institutional information without demonstrating the existence of effective consultations on specific subjects. The meetings of the CNDS cannot serve as a smokescreen if they do not explicitly cover the ILO standards agenda.

Second, the free choice and independence of representatives. Social dialogue cannot exist without independent and freely chosen social partners. Once again, we see that certain national legal provisions and administrative practices have led to interference in the free choice of union and employer delegates.

Third, the lack of information and resources. For tripartism to function, the partners need to be trained and provided with information in a transparent manner. In conclusion, we note that social dialogue is not a mere administrative formality or a box to be ticked for international reports, it is a tool of economic stability and social justice.

Based on the above, and in order to be in compliance with the Convention, the Government is requested to: guarantee without delay the holding of specific, systematic and effective tripartite consultations; bring its regulations into conformity (and particularly Decree No. 2022-022/PR and the Labour Code) to ensure strict compliance with the independence and freedom of choice of workers’ and employers’ organizations; re-energize and re-equip the CNDS; and request ILO technical assistance for the design of a capacity-building programme for the tripartite constituents.

Government member, Zambia – Zambia thanks the Government representative for the information provided during this discussion. We welcome the progress made in strengthening the legal and institutional framework for social dialogue, including the operation of tripartite consultation mechanisms, efforts to promote collective bargaining, and initiatives aimed at enhancing the capacity of workers’ and employers’ organizations. These measures demonstrate Togo’s commitment to advancing the principles of the Convention. Zambia notes with appreciation the Government’s candid acknowledgement of the challenges that remain in ensuring full implementation of the Convention. We consider this openness and willingness to engage constructively with social partners to be a positive demonstration of the Government’s commitment to continuous improvement and effective tripartite dialogue.

Zambia believes that continued technical assistance and capacity-building support from the Office is important in assisting Togo to consolidate the gains achieved and overcome the remaining challenges. We, therefore, encourage the Office to ensure that, notwithstanding current financial constraints, Member States continue to receive the support necessary for the effective implementation of international labour standards. We encourage the Government, together with employers’ and workers’ organizations, to continue promoting constructive social dialogue in the spirit of tripartism and cooperation.

Worker member, Belgium – In accordance with Convention No. 144, States are required to implement effective tripartite consultation procedures covering five subjects: standard-setting items; the submission of texts; the re-examination of unratified standards; reports on ratified Conventions; and denunciations. The consultations must be effective, held in good faith and precede decision-making. The social partners must receive information in a timely manner so that they can express their opinions, and their views must be taken seriously.

The Committee of Experts notes, from the minutes of the sessions held in 2020, 2021 and 2022, that the consultations held by the CNDS in Togo do not address the matters covered by the Convention.

Togo provides substantial details in its additional information regarding: the inclusion of the social partners by organizing meetings prior to the Conference; the sharing of reports on the Conventions – though it notes the difficulties experienced by trade unions in providing their observations; and the submission of adopted standards to the National Assembly. It should be acknowledged that the consultations described seem incomplete and ineffective. They clearly do not allow the social partners to express their viewpoints.

Furthermore, no detailed information is provided on the concrete measures taken to facilitate and ensure consultations, or on their content or outcomes. The information provided by Togo also indicates that the CNDS has not met since 2022.

The absence of tripartite consultations in accordance with the Convention is also a reflection of the concerning restrictions of the right to collective bargaining and freedom of association in Togo. The Labour Code was revised in 2021 without any genuine social dialogue. The trade unions were involved only in a formal capacity, with no access to the discussions or to the texts. Moreover, the amendments requested by the Committee of Experts in order to ensure that the Labour Code is consistent with freedom of association were ignored. As such, the 90-day deadline for the registration of trade unions, the restrictions on the appointment of representatives, the obligation to renew trade union mandates after five years, and the definition of essential services remain unchanged.

Furthermore, violations of trade union rights are regularly reported by workers’ and civil society organizations. These violations are part of a broader trend of the closing of civic space in Togo, with the prohibition of collective action and peaceful protest, arbitrary arrests and the excessive use of force against protesters by the security forces, as was the case during the protests in the summer of 2025.

In this context, it is all the more important for the Government of Togo to fully ensure the effective application of the Convention in law and in practice.

Government member, Gabon – Gabon is honoured to take the floor before this august assembly in order to support the replies provided by the Republic of Togo to the comments of the Committee of Experts.

The Gabonese delegation welcomes the ongoing efforts of the Government of Togo to firmly establish a culture of social dialogue and tripartism within its labour market governance, thereby elevating consultation to the status of strategic driver of stability and economic progress. Gabon notes with satisfaction that Togo has a sound legal framework, underpinned by fundamental constitutional guarantees and reinforced by a modern Labour Code since 2021.

Togo’s institutional architecture, which is supported by key operational bodies such as the CNDS and the CNT, clearly demonstrates a genuine political will to systematically include the social partners in major social policy decisions. The vitality of this model is strikingly illustrated by the recent developments in sectoral collective bargaining, which were achieved in May 2026 with the signature of a new inter-occupational collective agreement in Togo.

The effective implementation of the Convention requires strong and well-equipped social partners. In this regard, Gabon welcomes the annual financial support of 150 million CFA francs granted by the Government of Togo to employers’ and workers’ organizations in order to strengthen their capacities and their participation in ILO bodies. This reflects concrete and measurable commitment with regard to Article 4 of the Convention.

Lastly, the Gabonese delegation wishes to underscore the constructive attitude and openness of the Government of Togo. By taking formal note of the comments of the ILO supervisory bodies concerning Decree No. 2022-022/PR and section 14 of the Labour Code, and stating its willingness to review the necessary adjustments in close collaboration with its social partners, Togo reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the principles of the ILO. In the light of the foregoing and given the collaborative efforts undertaken to conclude a social stability and inclusive growth pact, Gabon encourages the Committee on the Application of Standards to give due credit to Togo’s achievements. We invite the ILO and the international community to give priority to technical assistance in order to support the country in the consolidation of its achievements.

Worker member, Botswana – I take the floor on behalf of the workers of Botswana. Togo ratified the Convention in 1983, thus undertaking to operate procedures which ensure effective consultations, with respect to the matters concerning the activities of the International Labour Organization set out in Article 5(1), between representatives of the Government, employers and workers. The ratification was a further undertaking that the representatives of employers and workers for the purposes of the procedures provided for in this Convention shall be freely chosen by their representative organizations, where such organizations exist as set out in Article 3.

The Committee of Experts raises two issues of concern. In effective tripartite consultations contrary to Article 5(1). The obstacles to freedom of choice of trade union representatives brought in by section 14 of the Labour Code and reiterated in section 3 of Decree No. 22 of 2022. It is our firm view as workers of Botswana that social dialogue remains the most effective tool and/or solution to the matters raised by the Committee of Experts in any democratic society. Social dialogue provides a platform to solve existing conflict and also avert conflicts that may exist in future.

What then is needed for social dialogue to thrive in Togo? The Government must take deliberate steps to ensure that the CNDS is effective and serves its mandate as determined by social partners. Whatever report or document that comes out of this structure or any social dialogue structures, must reflect the needs and aspirations of both Government and social partners. These will include submissions under article 19 reports as per the ILO reporting guidelines. Representatives to social dialogue structures must be chosen by social partners independent of Government scrutiny and interference. These representatives must have the freedom to express the will and aspirations of their constituents without any fear of intimidation and/or without any hindrance or obstacles that may come with the law as shown in the Committee of Experts’ report.

Lastly, a social dialogue structure must be resourced in order to serve its purpose effectively. An under-resourced structure risks failing on its mandate and subsequently, the collapse of social dialogue is total. We therefore urge the Government to ensure that there are meaningful consultations among social partners; that the social dialogue space is free from intimidation and social partners are free to choose their representatives as they deem fit and appropriate and this must be done through tripartite reformation of the Labour Code.

Worker member, South Africa – Effective social dialogue between governments, and employers’ and workers’ organizations is essential for advancing social justice, fostering inclusive economic growth, improving wages and working conditions, and supporting sustainable enterprises. As a cornerstone of good governance, social dialogue creates the conditions necessary to achieve decent work for all while promoting social peace, stability, and effective labour market governance. However, these can only be possible in an environment where there are free and independent workers’ and employers’ organizations.

In South Africa, after the end of the apartheid regime in 1994, one of the first tasks of the new democratic Government was to ensure protection of workers’ rights in line with the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) and to institutionalize social dialogue in line with Convention No. 144. Section 23 of the new Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which is the supreme law of our land, guarantees to every worker the right to form and join trade unions, to participate in the activities and programmes of a trade union, and to strike.

In order to give effect to section 23 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Parliament passed the Labour Relations Act No. 66 of 1995. Chapter 2(4) of the Labour Relations Act provides that every member of a trade union has the right to: participate in its lawful activities; participate in the election of any of its office-bearers, officials or trade union representatives; and stand for election and be eligible for appointment as an office bearer or official. These provisions provide protection against interference by the Government and employers, and guarantee workers and trade unions their independence.

While we appreciate the establishment and/or existence of the CNDS in Togo, we wish to remind the Government that the absence of free and independent trade unions is a clear contradiction of the provisions of the Convention. The Committee on Freedom of Association has consistently emphasized that freedom of association can only exist where fundamental civil liberties are respected. These liberties include freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of movement, and protection from arbitrary arrest or detention. Trade unions play a vital role in representing and protecting workers’ interests. However, workers and their organizations cannot effectively exercise their rights if union leaders and members face intimidation, harassment, censorship, or restrictions on peaceful meetings and demonstrations in Togo. According to the Committee on Freedom of Association, the Government has a responsibility to ensure an environment in which trade unions can operate freely and independently. Respect for civil liberties is therefore not only a human right but also a necessary condition for genuine trade union freedom and effective social dialogue. We therefore respectfully call upon the Government to ensure that representatives of employers and workers are freely chosen, in accordance with Article 3(1) of the Convention.

Worker member, Democratic Republic of Congo – Togo ratified the Convention over 40 years ago. Today, it is no longer a question of finding out whether tripartite institutions exist or not. The true question is whether social dialogue really works. The Convention does not simply call for the creation of structures. It requires effective, regular and meaningful consultations with the social partners before decisions are taken. This is precisely where the problem lies.

The Government refers to the CNDS, the CNIT and various dialogue initiatives. However, the Committee of Experts noted that the meetings of the CNDS do not show that the subjects covered by Article 5 of the Convention were examined in practice. In other words, the institutions exist but they are not fulfilling their core mission.

The first contradiction is that, while dialogue institutions exist, they are not fully functional. The second contradiction is that budgets continue to be allocated to these structures despite the fact that effective consultations have practically come to a halt in the past few years. A budget item is not social dialogue. The Government refers to a budget item, but this is not social dialogue. An inactive institution does not become effective simply because it receives funding.

The situation is particularly concerning in the context of the revision of the General Public Service Regulations. When a trade union asked to see the draft text before it was adopted, he was reportedly told that the Government did not indulge in the “co-production” of legislation. This response highlights the heart of the problem.

The Convention is based precisely on the idea that labour reforms must be developed in consultation with the social partners and not be imposed unilaterally. The workers of Togo do not need new structures. They need institutions that really work. We therefore request the Government to re-establish effective tripartite consultations, to ensure that existing institutions are fully operational and that the social partners are genuinely included in all labour reforms. Togo does not lack structures. It lacks political will to make them work.

Worker member, Kenya – I speak on behalf of the Kenyan workers under the auspices of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTO). We are worried to note that Togo does not respect or believe in the Convention and the spirit of the tripartism that they effectively ratified in 1983. To achieve industrial peace and effectively implement the Convention, Togo has the option to draw important lessons from our peers like Kenya, where social dialogue has played a significant role in fostering stable labour relations and promoting inclusive decision-making. Kenya’s experience demonstrates that successful tripartism is built on mutual respect among the Government, employers and workers.

Social dialogue has been strengthened through a robust legal and institutional framework that recognizes the legitimacy of social partners and guarantees their meaningful participation in labour and economic policy discussions. Our strength is in national constitution and legislations. A key factor in Kenya’s success has been the recognition and engagement of representative organizations like COTO and the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE). Through regular consultations, these institutions have provided a platform to address labour issues, disputes and building consensus on matters of national importance. This collaborative approach has contributed significantly to industrial peace and social stability. Kenya also demonstrates the importance of continuous dialogue and building trust among tripartite partners.

Effective social dialogue requires more than formal structures. It depends on a genuine commitment to consultations, compromise and respect for differing views. When social partners are treated as equal, they become active contributors to economic development and social cohesion. Further, Kenya has invested in capacity-building and training for government officials and employers’ organizations, and guaranteed trade unions their freedoms. These efforts have enhanced the ability of parties to participate effectively in tripartite consultation and to engage constructively in policy discussions.

The experience of Kenya, as well as those of other countries like South Africa, Sweden, Germany and Australia, demonstrates that strong social dialogue and effective tripartism promote labour rights, economic growth and social stability. Finally, meaningful social dialogue can only flourish where social partners are respected and their rights are protected. Unfortunately, the current environment in Togo does not appear conducive to constructive social dialogue. Restrictive legislation affecting trade union assemblies and the dismissal of trade union leaders undermines confidence and weakens the foundation of tripartism. The Government must take concrete steps to create an enabling environment for dialogue by respecting the rights of workers and employers to freedom of association, the right to organize and collective bargaining. These fundamental rights are not only essential for compliance with the Convention but are also the cornerstone for lasting industrial peace and sustainable development.

Worker member, Spain – The Committee of Experts notes, with regard to the Convention, that the consultations held by the CNDS did not address the subjects set out in Article 5 of the Convention.

Furthermore, the workers of Togo have reported the absence of effective consultations on the replies to questionnaires concerning the Conference, the submission of Conventions and Recommendations to the national authorities, the examination of unratified Conventions, and on the drafting of reports on the application of international labour standards.

These are not side issues. This is the core of tripartite participation in the activities of the ILO. We are talking about the forum in which the social partners can express their views on the ratification of Conventions, the examination of international labour standards and the manner in which these standards are applied at the national level.

The consequences of these gaps in tripartite consultation can be particularly serious for the most vulnerable workers. When trade unions cannot participate fully in the processes provided for by the Convention, the concerns and needs of those who are least able to make their voices heard risk being overlooked in discussions on the development and implementation of international labour standards, as may be the case for workers in the informal economy, women, young people and children engaged in child labour.

The Committee of Experts also raised concerns about the free choice of workers’ and employers’ representatives in consultation processes. In particular, it noted that certain restrictions established in legislation may impede the free choice required to ensure an effective representation in these processes. The representativeness and independence of those participating in consultation mechanisms are essential conditions for social dialogue to be credible, inclusive and able to produce legitimate results.

Tripartite consultations are not merely an administrative formality. We therefore request the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure effective consultations on all the matters under the Convention and to ensure the free and independent participation of representative organizations.

Worker member, Argentina – I am speaking on behalf of the confederations of Argentina affiliated to the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) with reference to the failure of Togo to comply with the present Convention.

First, I wish to note that this Convention is recognized in the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization (2008), as amended in 2022, as one of the most significant standards from the viewpoint of governance, as social dialogue and tripartite consultation are indispensable conditions for the legitimacy, effectiveness and sustainability of labour policies.

The ILO has also reaffirmed within the context of the Decent Work Programme and the principles to promote recovery and development that public policies must be built on the basis of social dialogue and tripartism as essential tools to link social progress with economic development. Among these principles, emphasis is placed on the need to strengthen labour institutions, maintain effective public services, extend social protection and ensure that decisions that have an impact on employment and working conditions are adopted through participatory and institutionalized processes. The Convention is precisely the instrument through which these objectives can be materialized within the ILO standards system.

However, the matters covered in the present case show a different reality. The Committee of Experts has indicated that the existing institutions have not adequately covered the matters set out in Article 5(1) of the Convention, including essential issues such as replies to Conference questionnaires, the examination of Conventions and Recommendations, the consideration of unratified instruments and supervision of the application of international labour standards.

It also draws attention to the failure to give effect to Article 3(1) of the Convention since, although the report emphasizes that the legislation provides protection against interference by the employer, there remain legal restrictions which may limit the free choice of union representatives.

We can see from the report of the Committee of Experts the commitment expressed by the Government to giving effect to the Convention, and we therefore encourage it to avail itself of ILO technical assistance. Nevertheless, as has been noted, the persistence of repeated observations shows that expressions of intent are not sufficient.

We therefore call for the Government to be urged to adopt specific and verifiable measures to ensure regular, institutionalized and effective tripartite consultations, and the free election of representatives, and to provide dialogue mechanisms with adequate resources and the respective reports on the progress achieved.

Government representative – Above all else, we wish to say that the Government does not acknowledge the words attributed to it in relation to the formulation of the General Public Service Regulations, which are reported to have been spoken by a member of the Government. We also wish to reaffirm that the processes of the formulation of the General Public Service Regulations and the Labour Code have been carried out in compliance with the procedures and laws that are in force.

As you know, Togo is always open to dialogue and consultation. In this respect, the Government accords particular importance to the quality of the dialogue with its tripartite partners, in the conviction that dialogue is one of the most powerful tools for the construction of solid, legitimate and sustainable public policies. Since the ratification of the Convention, our country has been engaged in a deep-rooted process of transformation. This process is not only based on legislation, but is also structural and institutional. It is intended to give full effect to the principles of participation, transparency and shared responsibility which form the very basis of the spirit of the Convention.

Over recent years, Togo has embarked upon a coherent series of constitutional, legislative and regulatory reforms intended to consolidate social dialogue. These reforms have made it possible to clarify the roles, strengthen procedural guarantees and improve the representativeness of the social partners. The revision of the labour legislation, the adoption of new texts on social governance and the modernization of consultation mechanisms have contributed to the development of a more conducive environment for the expression of the concerns of workers and employers. This progress bears witness to the Government’s willingness to make social dialogue a central pillar of national governance. The establishment and operationalization of tripartite mechanisms have been a major step forward. These mechanisms, which are now fully functional, allow the regular and effective participation by the social partners in decision-making processes. They provide an institutionalized space in which views can be compared, harmonized and translated into specific policies.

The adoption of collective agreements in several sectors also shows the increasing maturity of social dialogue in Togo. These agreements negotiated in a spirit of compromise and responsibility are reinforcing legal security and contributing to the stability of industrial relations.

In our awareness that the quality of social dialogue also depends on the competence of the actors, the Government intends to strengthen the necessary training for participants in consultation procedures. This training will make it possible to improve understanding of international labour standards, strengthen negotiation capacities and promote a culture of constructive dialogue.

Since 2022, a new rebuilding phase has been launched through the organization of the forum, to which we have referred. This high-level mechanism for exchanges with ILO support offered the opportunity to draw up a shared diagnosis of the challenges that remain and identify agreed paths for improvement. The ongoing formulation of a social stability and inclusive growth pact is one of the most promising results of this process. The pact is intended to develop a more peaceful social climate, promote the competitiveness of enterprises and ensure a more equitable distribution of the benefits of growth. It is a strategic instrument which reflects the will of Togo to include social dialogue in a long-term perspective.

Togo is ultimately offering a strong reaffirmation of its commitment to compliance with the Convention and the promotion of inclusive, structured and effective social dialogue. The progress achieved, in terms of the reinforcement of the institutional and legislative framework, the adoption of regulations, the conclusion of collective agreements and the establishment of operational tripartite bodies, bear witness to the Government’s constant determination to consolidate consultation mechanisms. The Government remains fully ready to continue its reforms, reinforce the transparency and effectiveness of tripartite consultations and work with employers’ and workers organizations. Togo will remain resolutely engaged in the promotion of modern, inclusive and constructive social dialogue, in the conviction that consultation, mutual respect and the process of seeking consensus are determining factors in the implementation of lasting solutions and the achievement of a society built on greater justice, solidarity and resilience.

Employer members – The Employer members would like to thank all of the speakers who took the floor. We also thank the Government for the information that it has provided. We welcome the Government’s commitment to social dialogue and take note of its recent efforts to strengthen tripartite engagement. In closing, and in light of the 50th anniversary of the Convention this year, we would also like to reiterate the importance of this Convention and its embodiment of the principle of effective tripartism.

The Employer members request the Government to, first, provide more detailed information regarding its consultations in respect of its obligations under Article 5(1) of the Convention. Second, to provide more detailed information on how it plans to bring its law and practice into line with its commitments under Article 3(1) of the Convention. Third, continue to work with the most representative organizations of employers and workers. And fourth, if necessary, to avail itself of ILO technical assistance to further strengthen its consultation and reporting mechanisms. We trust that the Government will implement such recommendations in a timely manner to achieve full compliance with the Convention, both in law and in practice.

Worker members – Following this discussion, one conclusion stands out: the commitments expressed must now be translated into specific, verifiable and lasting action in order to ensure full compliance with the Convention by Togo. We call on the Government to establish, without delay, effective, regular and duly documented tripartite consultations on all the matters covered by Article 5(1) of the Convention.

It is also important for the Government to clarify, in practice and in its institutional organization, the body which is responsible for holding these consultations and to ensure that they include a precise agenda, full reporting and outcomes that can be traced. Social dialogue in the broad sense cannot in itself cover the specific consultations required by the Convention.

With reference to the necessary training for participants in the consultation mechanisms, it would be useful for the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged with employers’ and workers’ organizations to ensure the financing of their training.

We also call on the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure in law and in practice the free choice of employers’ and workers’ representatives participating in tripartite consultation procedures, in accordance with Article 3(1) of the Convention. In this regard, the restrictions set out in the national legislation, which are such as to impede this free choice, will have to be re-examined and brought into conformity with the requirements of the Convention. We therefore expect the Government to provide the Committee of Experts with detailed information on the measures adopted or envisaged, and on the content and outcomes of the consultations held on each of the matters covered by Article 5(1) as a basis for a full and objective assessment of the progress achieved.

As recalled by the Committee of Experts, the Government may find it useful to avail itself of ILO technical assistance to bring the institutional and legal framework into compliance and improve the effectiveness of the tripartite consultations envisaged by the Convention. It is now necessary for these commitments to be translated into specific progress so that tripartism in Togo remains fully in compliance with the requirements of the Convention in the long term.

Chairperson – We have now concluded the discussion of this case. We thank the representative of the Government of Togo and all the delegates who took the floor.

Conclusions of the Committee

The Committee took note of the written and oral information provided by the Government and the discussion that followed.

Taking into account the discussion, the Committee requested the Government to:

• provide detailed and up-to-date information on the manner in which tripartite consultations are carried out in practice on all matters covered by Article 5(1), including the content of consultations, the actors involved, and their outcomes;
• take further steps, in consultation with the most representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, to ensure that effective and inclusive consultations are systematically held on all matters, in a timely, effective and meaningful manner and in line with Article 5(1) of the Convention;
• provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to bring law and practice into conformity with Article 3(1), including with respect to ensuring the free choice of representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations;
• strengthen the capacity of the institutional framework and the engagement of the most representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, including by providing financial resources and training so as to facilitate their effective functioning and participation in the consultation machinery and processes.

The Committee requested the Government to avail itself of ILO technical assistance and to provide information to the Committee of Experts by 1 September 2026 on the measures taken to implement these recommendations and the results achieved.

Government representative – Once again, the Government would like to sincerely thank the members of the Committee for this opportunity which has enabled the Government to provide further information on the situation and on the application of the Convention.

The Government duly notes the subsequent conclusions and will ensure that the necessary measures are taken, in consultation with the employers’ and workers’ organizations. In this regard, given the deadline that has been set, that is, September 2026, the Government would like to very humbly request that it be allowed more time to discuss the matter internally with the social partners. We would like the Committee to examine this request for additional time in order to review the matter more closely.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Article 4(2) of the Convention. Financing of any necessary training of participants in consultation procedures. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that although a grant may be made to employers’ and workers’ organizations to finance training in labour matters, the necessary training of participants in consultation procedures is not yet guaranteed. It welcomes the Government’s commitment to make all efforts to ensure that such training is put in place. The Committee recalls its, recognizing the importance of training for the effective holding of tripartite consultations, Article 4(2) of the Convention provides that arrangements shall be made between the competent authority and the representative organizations for their financing. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken or envisaged with the employers’ and workers’ representative organizations to ensure the financing of the above-mentioned training.

Articles 5(2) and 6. Consultations at regular intervals. Production of an annual report. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the national legislation provides that the National Council for Social Dialogue (CNDS) shall, under normal circumstances, meet twice annually but notes that its last session was held in 2022. Moreover, the Government does not mention the frequency of the meetings of the National Taskforce on International Labour Standards (CNIT) which is, as previously indicated by the Government, the competent body regarding the consultations required under the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that a process to re-found social dialogue was launched in 2022, with the organization of a national forum with the social partners and civil society actors, which led to the adoption of a road map aimed at increasing stability, promoting inclusive growth and reinvigorating the CNDS. The Committee requests the Government to clarify in which body the tripartite consultations required by the Convention are held and the frequency of its meetings. It further requests the Government to provide any report or set of minutes of the sessions of that body, if any.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Article 5(1) of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government to the Committee on the Application of Standards at 113th Session of the International Labour Conference (June 2025). It notes the Government’s commitment to take the necessary measures to ensure that effective tripartite consultations are held on all the matters referred to in Article 5(1) of the Convention. The Committee notes, however, from the minutes of the sessions of the National Council for Social Dialogue (CNDS) from 2020, 2021 and 2022, that the consultations held within that body do not cover the matters set out in Article 5(1) of the Convention and that the Government previously reported the establishment of National Task Force on International Labour Standards (CNIT), the mandate of which included the preparation of technical files for drawing up periodic reports on ILO Conventions and Recommendations, and proposals to ratify relevant unratified Conventions.

The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure these consultations take place. It further requests the Government to provide detailed information on the holding and results of tripartite consultations organized in respect of the following points: (i) government replies to questionnaires concerning items on the agenda of the International Labour Conference and government comments on proposed texts to be discussed by the Conference; (ii) the submission of Conventions and Recommendations to the competent national authorities for examination; (iii) the re-examination of unratified Conventions and of Recommendations to which effect has not yet been given, to consider what measures might be taken to promote their implementation and ratification as appropriate; (iv) questions arising out of reports on the application of international labour standards; and (v) proposals for the denunciation of ratified Conventions.

The Committee recalls that the Government may seek ILO technical assistance in this regard.

Article 3(1). Free choice of employers’ and workers’ representatives. The Committee welcomes the Government’s commitment to taking all necessary measures to comply with Article 3(1) of the Convention, which requires that the representatives of employers and workers for the purposes provided for in the Convention shall be freely chosen by their representative organizations. It notes that under section 12 of the Labour Code that “the employer or his representative may not employ any means of pressure in support of or against any trade union organization. Any measure taken by the employer (…) shall be considered null and void and subject to penal sanctions and payment of damages”. However, the Committee recalls that section 14 of the same Code provides that “persons may not exercise responsibility for the administration or direction of a union who have received a conviction involving loss of civic rights or a conviction to a correctional penalty, with the exception of: (a) convictions for offences involving imprudence, unless they have also taken flight in that context; and (b) convictions for misdemeanours for which the penalty is not subject to proof of bad faith and which only involve liability to a fine, with the exception of misdemeanours qualified as offences by company laws”. The Committee observes that while section 12 guards against any interference by the employer in the free choice of trade union representatives, the restrictions provided under section 14, reiterated in section 3 of Decree No. 2022-022/PR on the representativeness of trade unions and the exercise of the right to strike in the Republic of Togo – may constitute an obstacle to the free choice required to ensure the representativeness of participants in consultation procedures. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure, in law and practice, the free choice of employers’ and workers’ representatives in conformity with Article 3(1) of the Convention.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

The Committee notes the adoption of Act No. 2021-012 of 18 June 2021 issuing the Labour Code, implementing Decree No. 2022-021/PR of 23 February 2022 on the powers, structure and operation of the National Labour Council (CNT), and Decree No. 2022-022/PR of 23 February 2022 concerning trade unions and the right to strike.

Article 4(2) of the Convention. Financing of any necessary training of participants in consultation procedures. The Committee requests the Government to provide up-to-date information on: (i) any arrangement made between the competent authority and the representative organizations for the financing of any necessary training of participants in these procedures; and (ii) the training provided in the period covered by the next report.

Article 5(2). Consultations at regular intervals. The Committee notes the Government’s indications that the CNT meets once a year before the beginning of the respective session of the International Labour Conference. However, section 15 of the above-mentioned Decree No. 2022-021/PR of 23 February 2022 provides for an ordinary meeting once every six months with the possibility of convening extraordinary meetings. In addition, the Committee notes that section 13 of Decree No. 2007-012/PR of 13 March 2007 on the structure and operation of the National Social Dialogue Council (CNDS) provides for two ordinary meetings a year and for extraordinary meetings in case of need. The Committee requests the Government to clarify: (i) what interval is observed by the consultative bodies; and (ii) whether the consultative bodies are currently operational, indicating, for example, when the last meetings took place and the subjects discussed at them.

Article 6. Production of an annual report. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that copies of the annual reports produced during the period concerned regarding the operation of procedures have already been sent but that it is not in possession of these copies. The Committee therefore requests the Government to send copies of the annual reports of the consultative bodies.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Article 5(1) and (2) of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations at regular intervals. Since the ratification of the Convention by Togo, the Committee has repeatedly requested detailed information on the tripartite consultations held on the matters referred to in Article 5(1) of the Convention. In this regard, the Committee notes with regret that the Government, in its last report received in 2022, merely reiterates largely the same information as that provided in its previous report in 2017. The Committee therefore urges the Government to provide detailed information on the content and outcome of tripartite consultations held on all the matters referred to in Article 5(1) of the Convention, namely: (i) government replies to questionnaires concerning items on the agenda of the International Labour Conference and government comments on proposed texts to be discussed by the Conference; (ii) the submission of Conventions and Recommendations to the competent national authorities for examination; (iii) the re-examination of unratified Conventions and of Recommendations to which effect has not yet been given, to consider what measures might be taken to promote their implementation and ratification as appropriate; (iv) questions arising out of reports on the application of international labour standards; and (v) proposals for the denunciation of ratified Conventions.

Article 3(1). Free choice of employers’ and workers’ representatives. The Committee notes that section 3 of Decree No. 2022-022/PR of 23 February 2022 provides that persons may not exercise responsibility for the administration or direction of a union who have received a conviction involving loss of civic rights or a conviction to a correctional penalty, with the exception of: (a) convictions for offences involving imprudence, except in case of hit-and-run offences; and (b) convictions for misdemeanours for which the penalty is not subject to proof of bad faith and which only involve liability to a fine, with the exception of misdemeanours qualified as offences by company laws. Noting that these provisions are identical to those of section 14 of the new Labour Code, the Committee refers to its 2023 comments on the application of Article 3 of the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), recalling that a conviction for an act the nature of which is not such as to call into question the integrity of the person concerned and is not such as to prejudice the performance of trade union duties should not constitute grounds for disqualification from trade union office, and requests the Government to provide information on any measures taken or envisaged to ensure that representatives of employers and workers are freely chosen, in accordance with Article 3(1) of Convention No. 144.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Article 5 of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. In its previous comments, the Committee invited the Government to continue providing detailed information on the tripartite consultations held on the matters set out in Article 5(1) of the Convention, including information on the frequency of such consultations, and to indicate the nature of any reports or recommendations made as a result of the consultations. The Government indicates that a copy of the report covering government replies to questionnaires concerning items on the agenda of the International Labour Conference and government comments on proposed texts to be discussed by the Conference is sent to the social partners. A meeting date is then fixed by joint agreement and amendments are adopted further to tripartite consultations. In this context, amendments have been made to reports relating to the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy Recommendation, 2015 (No. 204), and the Employment (Transition from War to Peace) Recommendation, 1944 (No. 71). As regards the proposals to be made to the competent authority in connection with the submission of Conventions and Recommendations, the Government indicates that a copy of the communication accompanying the text to be submitted to the competent authority is sent to the social partners by the Government and their observations are taken into account. As regards the re-examination of unratified Conventions, the Government refers to tripartite workshops for exchange and communication and workshops for the validation of studies concerning the conformity of national law and practice to international standards. It indicates that reports to be made to the Office under article 22 of the ILO Constitution are sent to the social partners and their observations are taken into account. As regards the frequency of consultations, the Government indicates that the National Council for Social Dialogue meets once a year and the National Labour Council meets every three months or at the request of two-thirds of its members. These consultations concern the conception, formulation and validation of policies, plans and programmes relating to the world of work. The Committee requests the Government to provide more detailed information on the content and outcome of the tripartite consultations held on all the matters referred to in Article 5(1) of the Convention, and to indicate the nature of all reports or recommendations resulting from these consultations.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Article 5 of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. The Committee notes the two reports provided by the Government in response to its 2010 observation for the periods ending September 2011 and September 2014, respectively. The Government reports the establishment and revitalization of a number of tripartite institutions, such as the National Council for Social Dialogue and the National Council on Labour and Social Laws. Moreover, the Government emphasizes the contribution of the National Task Force on International Labour Standards to the preparation of the reports submitted to the ILO. The Committee notes with interest that the capacity building of those involved in the procedures as well as the awareness of the need to promote the ratification of a number of Conventions led to the ratification being registered in 2012 of the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81), the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), the Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129), the Labour Administration Convention, 1978 (No. 150), the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187), and the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). The Committee invites the Government to continue providing detailed information on the tripartite consultations held on the matters set out in Article 5(1) of the Convention, including information on the frequency of such consultations, and to indicate the nature of any reports or recommendations made as a result of the consultations.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Effective tripartite consultations. The Committee notes the detailed information sent by the Government in May 2010 in reply to the previous observations. The Committee notes with interest the setting up, by Order No. 018/MTESS of 28 October 2008, of the National Unit on Standards, one of the tasks of which is to prepare the necessary technical files for tripartite consultations on international labour standards required by the Convention. It also notes with interest that the Government requested and obtained technical and financial assistance from the ILO in November 2009 for training for the members of the national unit with respect to reporting obligations in connection with ratified Conventions. Activity was also planned for the 2010–11 period with regard to strengthening the capacities of the members of the national unit in relation to the content of fundamental Conventions and Conventions on governance which might be submitted for ratification in the near future (Conventions Nos 81 and 122). The Committee hopes that the Government will supply up-to-date information in its next report on the progress made with the social partners to ensure effective tripartite consultations on the matters relating to international labour standards (Articles 2 and 5 of the Convention).

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government has not provided any information on the application of the Convention since its last report received in September 2004. The Committee trusts that the Government will be able to provide a report, including information in reply to the points raised in the Committee’s 2004 observation, which set forth the following matters:

Consultation procedures. The Committee noted the project to create a national task force on standards to be responsible for “consensus-based management of relations with the ILO essentially in matters pertaining to constitutional obligations and ongoing promotion of social dialogue”. It requests the Government to provide information on the effect given to this project.

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Government supplied information on the activities of the National Labour Council. The Committee noted that the information was not specific enough to enable it to assess the effect given to this Convention. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the consultations held on each of the matters set out in Article 5(1) of the Convention, specifying their purpose, and frequency, and the nature of any reports or recommendations resulting from the consultations.

The Government stated that the main difficulty is finding funds for the activities of the bodies that conduct social dialogue and that extra assistance would be essential to strengthen such dialogue, which is becoming increasingly indispensable. The Committee hopes that the Office will be able to furnish its advice in response to the Government’s request so that effective consultations can be held on the subjects covered by the Convention.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2010.]

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous observations, which read as follows:

Consultation procedures. The Committee noted in 2004 the project to create a national task force on standards to be responsible for “consensus-based management of relations with the ILO essentially in matters pertaining to constitutional obligations and ongoing promotion of social dialogue”. It requests the Government to provide information on the effect given to this project.

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee also noted the information supplied by the Government on the activities of the National Labour Council. It noted that the information was not specific enough to enable it to assess the effect given to this priority Convention. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the consultations held on each of the matters set out in Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention, specifying their purpose, and frequency, and the nature of any reports or recommendations resulting from the consultations.

The Government stated that the main difficulty is finding funds for the activities of the bodies that conduct social dialogue and that extra assistance would be essential to strengthen such dialogue, which is becoming increasingly indispensable. The Committee hopes that the Office will be able to furnish its advice in response to the Government’s request so that effective consultations can be held on the subjects covered by the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its 2004 observation which read as follows:

1. Consultation procedures. The Committee noted in 2004 the project to create a national task force on standards to be responsible for “consensus-based management of relations with the ILO essentially in matters pertaining to constitutional obligations and ongoing promotion of social dialogue”. It requests the Government to provide information on the effect given to this project.

2. Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee also noted the information supplied by the Government on the activities of the National Labour Council. It noted that the information was not specific enough to enable it to assess the effect given to this priority Convention. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the consultations held on each of the matters set out in Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention, specifying their purpose, and frequency, and the nature of any reports or recommendations resulting from the consultations.

3. The Government stated that the main difficulty is finding funds for the activities of the bodies that conduct social dialogue and that extra assistance would be essential to strengthen such dialogue, which is becoming increasingly indispensable. The Committee hopes that the Office will be able to furnish its advice in response to the Government’s request so that effective consultations can be held on the subjects covered by the Convention.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its 2004 observation, which read as follows:

1. Consultation procedures. The Committee takes note of the Government’s report received in September 2004. It notes in particular the project to create by the end of February 2005 a national task force on standards to be responsible for “consensus-based management of relations with the ILO essentially in matters pertaining to constitutional obligations and ongoing promotion of social dialogue”. It requests the Government to keep it informed of the practical effect given to this project.

2. Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee also notes the information supplied by the Government on the activities of the National Labour Council for the period covered by the report. It again notes that the information is not specific enough to enable it to assess the effect given to this priority Convention. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the consultations held on each of the matters set out in Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention, specifying their purpose, and frequency, and the nature of any reports or recommendations resulting from the consultations.

3. The Government states that the main difficulty is finding funds for the activities of the bodies that conduct social dialogue and that extra assistance would be essential to strengthen such dialogue, which is becoming increasingly indispensable. The Committee hopes that the Office will be able to furnish its advice in response to the Government’s request so that effective consultations can be held on the subjects covered by the Convention.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

1. Consultation procedures. The Committee takes note of the Government’s report received in September 2004. It notes in particular the project to create by the end of February 2005 a national task force on standards to be responsible for "consensus-based management of relations with the ILO essentially in matters pertaining to constitutional obligations and ongoing promotion of social dialogue". It requests the Government to keep it informed of the practical effect given to this project.

2. Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee also notes the information supplied by the Government on the activities of the National Labour Council for the period covered by the report. It again notes that the information is not specific enough to enable it to assess the effect given to this priority Convention. It invites the Government to provide information on the consultations held on each of the matters set out in Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention, specifying their purpose, and frequency, and the nature of any reports or recommendations resulting from the consultations.

3. The Government states that the main difficulty is finding funds for the activities of the bodies that conduct social dialogue and that extra assistance would be essential to strengthen such dialogue, which is becoming increasingly indispensable. The Committee hopes that the Office will be able to furnish its advice in response to the Government’s request so that effective consultations can be held on the subjects covered by the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report. In its previous direct request it noted that the National Labour Council had resumed its activities, and expressed the hope that the Government would be in a position to report progress regarding consultations held pursuant to Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention, on the subjects listed in Article 5, paragraph 1. The Committee notes that the information on this matter provided in the last report received is not specific enough to enable it to ascertain how far the Convention is applied. It therefore again requests the Government to provide in its next report more specific information on the consultations held concerning the items listed in Article 5, paragraph 1(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e), during the period covered by the next report. It trusts that the Government will provide a list of the consultations that have taken place, indicating the subject, questionnaire, Conventions, reports or any other matter dealt with in each of them. Please also provide information on the activities of the National Labour Council, the frequency of consultations and the nature of any resulting reports or recommendations.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee notes the Government's report on the application of the Convention. It notes the Government's statement to the effect that, in July 1999 during the course of a seminar organized by the ILO, the Government and the social partners expressed their wish to re-establish permanent tripartite consultations, a consequence of which the National Labour Council has renewed its activities. Recalling that since its first report to the ILO in 1985, the Government has never been unable to provide information on the consultations undertaken, as required under Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention in respect of the questions enumerated under Article 5, paragraph 1, the Committee hopes that this positive development will enable the Government to adopt the necessary measures to apply the above Articles of the Convention and that the Government's next report will provide information in respect of progress made in this regard.

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

1. The Committee has noted the Government's brief report. It observes that the National Labour Council has not resumed its activities and hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures to re-establish the Council as soon as possible, as it had stated it would in a previous report.

2. The Committee observes that for many years the Government's reports have not contained any information on the consultations held on the ILO's activities. Recalling that the nature and form of the procedures provided for in Article 2 of the Convention shall allow for effective consultations on each of the matters provided for in Article 5, paragraph 1, and that, according to Article 5, paragraph 2, these consultations shall be undertaken at appropriate intervals but at least once a year, the Committee trusts that such consultations may be undertaken in the period covered by the Government's next report and that it will be able to provide details of them.

3. With reference to its previous direct request, the Committee once again asks the Government to submit, for the examination of the National Labour Council, the idea of preparing an annual report on the working of the procedures provided for in the Convention, as required by Article 6 thereof.

4. Finally, the Committee requests the Government to indicate, in accordance with point VI of the report form, to which representative organizations of employers and workers copies of the reports on the application of the Convention have been sent, and to specify whether it has received any observations from these organizations.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

With reference to its previous observation, the Committee notes the Government's report. It notes the statement that the activities of the National Labour Council have been suspended owing to social and political unrest, but that arrangements are under way to enable the Council's activities to be resumed and thereby ensure the implementation of the Convention.

The Committee recalls that the consultations established by the Convention specifically concern the ILO's activities listed in Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention and that, in accordance with Article 5, paragraph 2, the consultations must take place at least once a year.

The Committee hopes that in its next report the Government will be able to provide information on developments in the situation, together with the information required by the report form on consultations held during the period covered by the report.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

The Committee notes the Government's report to the effect that the activities of the National Labour Council should resume from 1 September 1995. It would be grateful if the Government would supply the ILO with full and detailed information on the consultations conducted in the Council during the period covered by the next report concerning the matters raised in Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention.

In addition, the Committee requests the Government to submit to the Council the subject of the advisability of preparing an annual report on the working of consultation procedures and to inform the ILO of its opinion on the matter as requested under point VI of the report form.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

With reference to its observation, the Committee notes that the Government's report again contains no reply to its comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the matters raised in its previous direct requests, especially on those concerning Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee recalls that this key provision of the Convention provides for consultations on:

(a) government replies to questionnaires concerning items on the agenda of the International Labour Conference and government comments on proposed texts to be discussed by the Conference;

(b) the proposals to be made to the competent authority or authorities in connection with the submission of Conventions and Recommendations pursuant to article 19 of the Constitution of the International Labour Organization;

(c) the re-examination at appropriate intervals of unratified Conventions and Recommendations to which effect has not yet been given, to consider what measures might be taken to promote their implementation and ratification as appropriate;

(d) questions arising out of reports to be made to the International Labour Office under article 22 of the Constitution of the International Labour Organization;

(e) proposals for the denunciation of ratified Conventions.

According to Article 5, paragraph 2, such consultations have to take place once a year.

Please indicate the nature of any reports or recommendations made as a result of the consultations.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

The Committee notes that since the Convention's entry into force for Togo, the Government's reports have contained no information concerning the application of Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention, concerning the subjects of the consultations. It trusts that the Government will not fail to give particulars of the consultations that have taken place during the period covered by the next report. The matter is dealt with more fully in a request addressed directly to the Government.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

The Committee notes that the Government's report contains no reply to its comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee takes note of the general information supplied by the Government in its last report.

Further to its earlier comments, it none the less requests the Government to provide detailed information on the consultations held during the period covered by the next report, concerning each of the questions enumerated in Article 5, paragraph 1, and on the frequency of such consultations. It also requests the Government to specify the nature of any reports or recommendations resulting from these consultations.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1989, published 76th ILC session (1989)

The Committee takes note of the general information supplied by the Government in its last report.

Further to its earlier comments, it none the less requests the Government to provide detailed information on the consultations held during the period covered by the next report, concerning each of the questions enumerated in Article 5, paragraph 1, and on the frequency of such consultations. It also requests the Government to specify the nature of any reports or recommendations resulting from these consultations.