International Solidarity (ICFTU, Union Statements)

ICFTU Comments on the ICESR

In April 2005, the ICFTU submitted comments on the First Report submitted by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on its implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

The ICFTU found that despite the Chinese government’s claims to the contrary some of the most fundamental rights protected and promoted by the ICESCR are not respected in China such basic rights continue to be denied to its workers. For example the PRC government is in breach of article 8 of the Covenant on several counts. Firstly, China does not allow workers to form and join trade unions of their own choice neither in law nor in fact. Secondly the only legally recognised trade union is under an obligation to promote the government’s and the ruling party’s policies; thirdly, the right to strike is not fully recognised in law and is repressed in fact. According to the Committee on Freedom of Association of the ILO, the right to strike is one of the essential means through which workers and their organizations may promote and defend their economic and social interests. In addition the authorities continue to detain scores of labour activists for their involvement in attempts to establish or promote independent trade unionism.

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Additional comments can also be found at: http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991221564&Language=EN