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

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Slovakia (Ratification: 1993)

The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government in its report, as well as of the statement of the Government’s representative to the Conference Committee in 2001 and the discussion that followed. The Committee also notes the conclusions and recommendations of the Committee on Freedom of Association in Case No. 2094 (326th Report, approved by the Governing Body at its 282nd Session, November 2001).

In its previous observations, the Committee asked the Government for clarifications regarding certain provisions of Act No. 83 of 1990 on citizens’ associations, and on Act No. 2 of 5 December 1990 on collective bargaining. As concerns the Act respecting citizens’ associations, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that foreign workers may be candidates for trade union office, regardless of their period of residence in the country, by virtue of section 20 of Act No. 83/1990 on citizens’ associations, as amended in 1991 and 1993.

Regarding the Act on collective bargaining, the Committee had asked the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to reduce the required majority to hold a strike at least with regard to large bargaining units. In its latest report, the Government indicates that amendments to section 17 of the Act on collective bargaining were adopted by the National Council of the Slovak Republic on 18 May 2001. As amended, section 17 of the Act on collective bargaining provides that a trade union may decide to hold a strike upon the approval of an absolute majority of the workers participating in the strike ballot, provided that at least an absolute majority of the workers in the bargaining unit participate in the strike ballot.

The Committee notes with satisfaction that the amended disposition of the Act on collective bargaining is compatible with Article 3 of the Convention.