CMNT_TITLE

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the communication by the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion included in the report received in September 2008. The communication summarizes the new social development model discussed in the Constituent Assembly and the main social programmes implemented by the Government. The Committee hopes that the Government will include in its next report an updated assessment of the manner in which it is ensured that “the improvement of standards of living” has been regarded as “the principal objective in the planning of economic development” (Article 2 of the Convention) and provide information on the results achieved in the campaign against  poverty.

Articles 4 and 5. In reply to the direct request of 2005, the Government reiterates that the coverage of social security services has been extended to the rural population. The Banco de Fomento and other credit institutions promote small producers by making it easier for them to acquire inputs and machinery. The Committee recalls that Article 5, paragraph 2, of the Convention provides that, to ensure minimum standards of living for workers, “account shall be taken of such essential family needs of the workers as food and its nutritive value, housing, clothing, medical care and education”. The Committee invites the Government to include information in its next report on the measures taken to secure, for independent producers and wage earners, conditions which will give them scope to improve living standards by their own efforts (see the other questions included in the report form for Article 5 of the Convention).

Part IV. Remuneration of workers. Article 12. The Government refers in its report to the information communicated previously. The Committee previously stressed the need for measures to be adopted in order to regulate the amounts of advances on wages, including advances which may be made to a worker in consideration of his taking up employment and the need to establish the maximum amount of advances on wages to render any advance in excess of the amount laid down legally irrecoverable. The Committee reiterates its request that, in the next report, the Government provide information on the progress made in this regard.