Duration of membership of the organization (Right to elect representatives in full freedom)

375. A provision laying down as one of the eligibility requirements for trade union office that the candidate must have belonged to the organization for at least one year could be interpreted as meaning that all trade union leaders must belong to the occupation or work in the undertaking in which the trade union represents the workers. In this event, if the requirement were applied to all office-holders in trade union organizations, it would be incompatible with the principles of freedom of association.

(See the Digest of 1985, para. 307.)

376. A provision requiring any trade union leader to have been a member of the trade union for not less than six months implies an important restriction on the right of workers' organizations to elect their representatives in full freedom.

(See the Digest of 1985, para. 308.)