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The Committee notes the Government's report which was not requested.

Referring to its previous comments, the Committee once again notes with regret that the Government's report is restricted to reiterating the previous statements without replying on the following points raised in previous comments:

1. Article 3, paragraph 2(2), of the Convention. The Committee recalls that section 6(3) of the Labour Standards Act, No. 2 of 1977, provides that the Minister concerned shall endeavour to ensure that the Advisory Board is equally representative of the workers and employers concerned. It also notes the Government's statement that employers and employees are indeed equally represented on the Advisory Board and that they have equal powers. The Committee hopes that the above-mentioned Act will be amended in the near future in order to provide that participation shall be on equal terms in all circumstances, in accordance with the requirements of the Convention and the practice described by the Government. Furthermore, the Committee requests the Government to supply additional information on the functioning of the Advisory Board and the means by which the employers and employees concerned participate in the application of minimum wage-fixing machinery.

2. Article 3, paragraph 2(1). The Committee recalls that the appointment and consultation of an Advisory Board under section 6(1) of the Act is left entirely at the discretion of the Minister, who is empowered under section 5 to fix a minimum rate of wages by proclamation. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or contemplated to ensure that representatives of the employers and workers concerned are consulted before the minimum wage-fixing machinery is applied.

3. Article 5 and point V of the report form. The Committee once again notes that the minimum wage was last fixed in 1989 for certain categories of workers. It requests the Government to continue supplying information on the effect given in practice to the Convention including, for instance, extracts from the reports of the inspection services and any other relevant data.

The Committee hopes that the Government will not fail to reply soon to the above comments.

[The Government is requested to submit a detailed report in 1997.]