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Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Differential minimum wage for male and female agricultural workers. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Minimum Wage Order S.R.O. 11 (2002), setting the minimum wage for male agricultural workers at $5 per hour and for female agricultural workers at $4.75, is in direct contravention of the Convention as the rates are based on the sex of the worker. In its report, the Government states that the Order also provides that, where female workers perform the same tasks as men, they shall receive the same rate as men. While the Committee notes that wage differentials established on the basis of job-related, objective and non-discriminatory criteria are permitted, it emphasizes that the Order in question establishes different rates for men and women based expressly on sex, which is contrary to the Convention. It asks the Government to take the necessary steps to amend the Order accordingly and to provide information on the progress made concerning this matter in its next report.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.