Benin - 2011

Population: 8,900,000
Capital: Porto Novo
Strikers had their salaries docked in violation of the legislation. The government banned all demonstrations regarding the disappearance of a high-ranking official, a member of the opposition party and a public-service trade union. The trade unions have reproached government for their disregard for social dialogue social dialogue Discussion and co-operation between the social partners on matters of common interest, such as economic and social policy. Involves participation by the state where tripartism is practice. . Trade union rights remain severely restricted.
ILO Core Conventions Ratified:
29 Forced Labour (1930) 87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise (1948) 98 Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining (1949) 100 Equal Remuneration for Work of Equal Value (1951) 105 Abolition of Forced Labour (1957) 111 Discrimination in Employment and Occupation (1958) 138 Minimum Age for Employment (1973) 182 Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (1999)

reported violations - 2011

Murders: none reported
Attempted Murders: none reported
Threats: none reported
Injuries: none reported
Arrests: none reported
Imprisonments: none reported
Dismissals: none reported
Documented violations - actual number of cases may be higher

Background

The country celebrated fifty years of independence on 1 August. The country was hit by unprecedented floods in October, causing the deaths of 46 people and leaving more than 150,000 others homeless. Social and political tensions are heavily accentuated in the run-up to the presidential elections scheduled for March 2011.
ILO Core Conventions Ratified:
29 Forced Labour (1930) 87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise (1948) 98 Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining (1949) 100 Equal Remuneration for Work of Equal Value (1951) 105 Abolition of Forced Labour (1957) 111 Discrimination in Employment and Occupation (1958) 138 Minimum Age for Employment (1973) 182 Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (1999)
Population: 8,900,000
Capital: Porto Novo

reported violations- 2011

Documented violations - actual number of cases may be higher

Trade union rights in law

Although basic trade union rights are guaranteed in the law, excessive restrictions are still in place. To obtain legal recognition recognition The designation by a government agency of a union as the bargaining agent for workers in a given bargaining unit, or acceptance by an employer that its employees can be collectively represented by a union. , unions must deposit their statutes with the competent authorities, or face a fine or prosecution. Workers have the right to bargain collectively, with the exception of merchant shipping employees.

Although the right to strike strike The most common form of industrial action, a strike is a concerted stoppage of work by employees for a limited period of time. Can assume a wide variety of forms.

See general strike, intermittent strike, rotating strike, sit-down strike, sympathy strike, wildcat strike is recognised in both the public and private sectors, it is marred with restrictions, including a requirement to announce the length of a strike strike The most common form of industrial action, a strike is a concerted stoppage of work by employees for a limited period of time. Can assume a wide variety of forms.

See general strike, intermittent strike, rotating strike, sit-down strike, sympathy strike, wildcat strike in advance. The government also has the right to declare a strike strike The most common form of industrial action, a strike is a concerted stoppage of work by employees for a limited period of time. Can assume a wide variety of forms.

See general strike, intermittent strike, rotating strike, sit-down strike, sympathy strike, wildcat strike illegal on specific grounds such as a threat to social peace and order, and can requisition requisition To issue back-to-work orders. civil servants in the event of a strike strike The most common form of industrial action, a strike is a concerted stoppage of work by employees for a limited period of time. Can assume a wide variety of forms.

See general strike, intermittent strike, rotating strike, sit-down strike, sympathy strike, wildcat strike .

Additional information regarding the legislation
ILO Core Conventions Ratified:
29 Forced Labour (1930) 87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise (1948) 98 Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining (1949) 100 Equal Remuneration for Work of Equal Value (1951) 105 Abolition of Forced Labour (1957) 111 Discrimination in Employment and Occupation (1958) 138 Minimum Age for Employment (1973) 182 Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (1999)
Population: 8,900,000
Capital: Porto Novo

reported violations - 2011

Documented violations - actual number of cases may be higher

Violations

Demonstration ban perceived as attack on trade union freedom: The Minister of the Interior’s decision to ban all demonstrations relating to the disappearance of a high-ranking official, a member of the opposition party and the Syndicat des travailleurs de l’administration cenrale des finances (SYNTRACEF) was criticised by the country’s main trade union centres as they consider this an attack on public and trade union freedom. Numerous strikes took place to shed light on this disappearance. On 12 October, the armed forces prevented trade unionists from entering the Bourse du Travail from where a protest march against the ministerial ban was due to start.
Illegal salary deductions and negative social climate: Trade unions have denounced the government’s increasing disregard for their rights. There have been numerous strikes in the health and education sector on account of unfulfilled government promises. Negotiation attempts have been marked by a climate of profound distrust and by an escalation of grievances against the government. According to the trade unions, the non-reimbursement of salaries arbitrarily docked during previous strikes has added to this list of grievances. At the end of December, the government threatened to prosecute the leaders of the Front uni des organisations syndicales de la santé (FUOSS) who were striking.
ILO Core Conventions Ratified:
29 Forced Labour (1930) 87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise (1948) 98 Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining (1949) 100 Equal Remuneration for Work of Equal Value (1951) 105 Abolition of Forced Labour (1957) 111 Discrimination in Employment and Occupation (1958) 138 Minimum Age for Employment (1973) 182 Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (1999)
Population: 8,900,000
Capital: Porto Novo

reported violations - 2011

Documented violations - actual number of cases may be higher
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