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The Committee notes the information provided in the Government's report in reply to its previous request.

Article 1 of the Convention in conjunction with Article 4, paragraph 3(a). The Committee notes the Government's statement that the issues relating to the fixing of a minimum wage applicable to all categories of workers are dealt with in the 1997 General Agreement between the Government and the Azerbaijan Confederation of Trade Unions. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of this agreement and to indicate to what extent employers are involved in the minimum wage fixing machinery. It again requests the Government to specify how equality of participation of representatives of employers and workers is ensured.

Article 2, paragraph 1, in conjunction with Article 5 and point V of the report form. The Committee notes that the current monthly minimum wage of 5,500 manats was established in February 1995 and that the General Agreement includes provisions to ensure that the minimum wage will be increased in stages in accordance with available resources to a level equivalent to 20 per cent of the minimum consumer budget. It also notes that a state labour inspectorate was set up and is being organized.

The Committee requests the Government to indicate the functions of the state labour inspectorate with respect to the supervision and enforcement of the minimum wage, including the results of inspections that have been carried out (e.g., the number of violations of minimum wage provisions, the penalties imposed, etc.). The Committee also asks the Government to provide other general information on the application of the Convention in practice, such as the minimum wage rate(s) in force, the available data on the number and different categories of workers covered by minimum wage provisions, etc.