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The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report. It notes in particular the adoption of the Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment (General) Order, 1997 (S.I. No. 119 of 1997), and the Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment (Shop Workers) Order, 1997 (S.I. No. 120 of 1997), covering such employees whose wages and conditions of employment are not regulated by any collective agreements. The Committee also notes the Government’s statement to the effect that employers’ and workers’ representatives fully participated in the revision of the wage rates contained in the two orders and that similar consultations will be held in the process of further revising these two instruments.

Article 4, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that preparations are under way to amend section 3(1) of the Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment Act in order to include employers’ representatives in the consultation process. While noting the Government’s indication that in practice employers are consulted before any statutory orders on minimum wages are prescribed, the Committee hopes that the Government will not fail to take the necessary steps in order to bring the legislation into conformity with the Convention on this point on which it has been commenting for many years. The Committee asks the Government to report on any positive developments in this regard.

Part V of the report form. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed and up-to-date information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, including, for instance, the minimum wage rates in force, available data on the number and different categories of workers covered by minimum wage provisions, inspection reports indicating the number of violations observed and the penalties imposed, and any other particulars concerning the fulfilment of the practical conditions prescribed by the Convention.