Conference “Contribution of the Balkan trade union for the integration process: the right of freedom of association and collective bargaining in the context of the ILO Centenary”

The International conference “Contribution of the Balkan trade union for the integration process: the right of freedom of association and collective bargaining in the context of the ILO Centenary” was organised on 22-23 April by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria, in cooperation with the ITUC/PERC, and with financial support of the Friedrich Ebert Shifting.

Leaders of ITUC affiliates from Balkans discussed challenges related to implementation of the trade union rights in the region, highlighting systematic violations of the freedom of association, collective bargaining and the right to strike by governments and employers, as well as low capacities of labour inspectorates to monitor and enforce labour legislation. In the context of the ILO centenary special focus was addressed to the supervisory mechanisms of the ILO and in particular the jurisprudence of the Committee of Freedom of Association.

Based on discussions the conference participants adopted declaration, calling for a new social contract and universal labour guarantee.

Declaration