Gabon - 2012
Capital: Libreville

See Guide to the ITUC international trade union rights framework , in theory guaranteed by law, came under attack because of the obstinacy of a handful of individuals abusing their power, as was the case in the long-running dispute between the teachers’ unions and their Minister. The trade unions called on the authorities to engage in genuine 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. in all sectors and at all levels.
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) 182 Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (1999)
reported violations - 2012
Background
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) 182 Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (1999)
Capital: Libreville

reported violations- 2012
Trade union rights in law
Freedom of association
freedom of association
The right to form and join the trade union of one’s choosing as well as the right of unions to operate freely and carry out their activities without undue interference.
See Guide to the ITUC international trade union rights framework
and 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
are guaranteed in the Constitution. However, the provisions in the Labour Code are somewhat lacking, although public servants have the right to organise. Anti-union discrimination
anti-union discrimination
Any practice that disadvantages a worker or a group of workers on grounds of their past, current or prospective trade union membership, their legitimate trade union activities, or their use of trade union services. Can constitute dismissal, transfer, demotion, harassment and the like.
See Guide to the ITUC international trade union rights framework
is not expressly prohibited in law, but the courts can award compensation to employees who have been victims of such discrimination.
The authorities are not permitted to interfere in lawful strikes, which must be preceded by arbitration
arbitration
A means of resolving disputes outside the courts through the involvement of a neutral third party, which can either be a single arbitrator or an arbitration board. In non-binding arbitration, the disputing parties are free to reject the third party’s recommendation, whilst in binding arbitration they are bound by its decision. Compulsory arbitration denotes the process where arbitration is not voluntarily entered into by the parties, but is prescribed by law or decided by the authorities.
See conciliation, mediation
. Although workers in the public sector have the right to call 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
, it can be restricted if deemed to pose a threat to public safety.
Freedom of association / Right to organize
Principles
Freedom of association :
- >The right to freedom of association is enshrined in the Constitution.
Anti-Union discrimination:
- >The law does not specifically protect workers from anti-union discrimination.
The law does not expressly prohibit discrimination against trade unions. However, the courts can order employers that are found guilty of discrimination to compensate the employees concerned.
Right to collective bargaining
Principles
Right to collective bargaining:
- >The right to collective bargaining is not protected in law.
Right to strike
Principles
Right to strike:
- >The right to strike is enshrined in the Constitution.
The Labour Code prohibits the government from intervening directly against strikers who adhere to the arbitration and notification procedures.
Restrictions
Legal barriers to lawful strike actions:
- >Compulsory recourse to arbitration, or to long and complex conciliation and mediation procedures prior to strike actions
- A strike may only be started after arbitration has failed.
Limitations or ban on strikes in certain sectors:
- >Undue restrictions for "public servants"
- Workers in the public sector can join a trade union and have the right to strike, however that right is restricted where it poses a threat to public safety.
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) 182 Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (1999)
Capital: Libreville

reported violations - 2012
In practice
See general strike, intermittent strike, rotating strike, sit-down strike, sympathy strike, wildcat strike brought the country to a virtual standstill and cost the Gabonese state the equivalent of 90 million euros, according to ONEP.
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) 182 Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (1999)
Capital: Libreville

reported violations - 2012
Violations
See social dialogue . The municipal employees had carried out several strikes to protest against delays in paying their salaries and the non-payment of social charges, deducted at source by the Town Hall. In April 2010, strikers had placed, in the main hall of the Town Hall, the body of a colleague who had died, they claimed, because he had not received the care he needed due to the delayed payments.
See general strike, intermittent strike, rotating strike, sit-down strike, sympathy strike, wildcat strike it had begun in April. The following day the union pledged its support for nine trade union leaders as they began a hunger 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 . Clémence Akele Ovono, Jules Bibang Obounou, Désiré Alfred Engone, Simon Ndong Edzo, Louis Patrick Mombo, Alain Mouagouadi, Fridolin Mve Messa, Léa Isabelle Ozoumey and Calvin Tomo Tomo had been brought before a disciplinary board in February for their role in a warning 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 that took place in October 2010 (see the 2011 edition of the Survey). Since that time their salaries had been suspended, yet they had received no official notification of the sanction. On 18 September the nine trade union leaders ended their hunger 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 after the Prime Minister promised that their salaries would be restored, despite the latest scheming by the Minister for Education, Séraphin Moundounga. In July, Education International (EI) had complained about the anti-union pressure exerted by the Minister ever since he had taken up the post in October 2009.
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) 182 Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (1999)
Capital: Libreville
