Implementation of the Core ILO Standards, the Right to Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining at the National Level – Comparative Study of Poland and Georgia

Abstract: By ratifying the ILO Conventions on freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining (Nos. 87 and 98) member states undertake the obligation to bring national legislation and practice into full compliance with these international labour instruments. However, the question is whether the countries actually implement their international commitments. This comparative paper studies the effectiveness of compliance with Conventions Nos. 87 and 98 in two ILO member states, Poland and Georgia. For this assessment of compliance, the actions of governments and domestic courts are analysed. The ILO Committee of Experts’ reports are also examined in order to find out whether the two countries are willing to implement the two conventions more effectively. The paper intends to show the reader the influence the ratified ILO Conventions have on the national level and reveal the gaps in national legislation and policy that impede effective protection of basic workers’ rights. The author further intends to remind national policy makers and legal practitioners of the importance of the principles on freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining and to make recommendations on how to implement these labour standards effectively on the national level. In this way, making a decent life real for all.