Annual report on the implementation of the ILO technical cooperation programme “Strengthening the National Tripartite Committee on Labour Relations and Freedom of Association in Guatemala" - ILO Governing Body, 346th session

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries Albania*, Moldova, the Republic of North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, and Serbia*, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

1. The EU and its Member States attach great importance to human rights, including labour rights such as freedom of association of workers and employers and we once again emphasize the crucial role played by the ILO in developing, promoting and supervising international labour standards globally.
2. As such, we thank the Office for its detailed second report on the current state of implementation of the technical cooperation programme and the recent tripartite mission to Guatemala. The EU continues to closely follow the developments in the country since the closing of the complaint by the 334^th GB and has studied the report in detail.
3. We remain concerned about the lack of significant legislative progress since 2018, especially on anti-union violence, and are specifically worried by the increase in reports on the murders of trade unionists. In this regard, we encourage Guatemala to strengthen the capacities and resources of the Public Prosecutor's Unit of crimes against justice operators and trade unionists.
4. At the same time, the EU and its Member States commend the reported impetus given by the recent tripartite mission and take note of the extensive action plan. We are particularly happy to hear that CNTRLLS has been successful in maintaining active tripartite dialogue, and call, once again, for the institutionalization of this body. Tripartite consultations and meaningful and effective social dialogue are essential elements of application of fundamental principles and rights at work, and a strengthening thereof in Guatemala will be essential to ensuring the effective realization of all labour rights in the country going forward. We further emphasise all parties’ accountability and commitment to implementing those rights.
5. In addition, the elimination of child labour is a matter of utmost priority. It is essential that Guatemala continues working towards the eradication of child labour and the reinforcement of labour inspection capacity.
6. The EU re-iterates its support for the ILO’s technical assistance program in Guatemala, including the important role of the Turin centre in providing the national tripartite constituents with training on the implementation of core labour rights and the realization of tripartism. We are in agreement with the priority actions identified by the tripartite mission to Guatemala, particularly actions on institutional and legislative progress. We also support the ILO’s proposal to undertake a more comprehensive study of the concrete inhibiting factors that limit the effective implementation of reinstatement orders
7. The EU re-affirms its own commitment to strengthening the technical assistance capacities, including through EU financing of a recently signed Contribution Agreement between the ILO and the Ministry of Economy of Guatemala “Supporting the State of Guatemala in meeting the commitments in the road map on freedom of association and collective bargaining”. We will continue to work closely with the ILO and national tripartite constituents on the realization of the objectives of the technical assistance program.
8. Lastly, we invite the ILO to continue to engage closely with the UN to tackle wider human rights violations, often linked to labour rights infringements in the country.
9. In sum, Chair, we support the draft point for decision and will again carefully analyse the technical cooperation programme implementation ahead of the session in November 2023.

Thank you, Chair.

*Albania, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.