CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes with interest the information contained in the Government’s report, in particular the conclusion of a national collective labour agreement (CCNT) for hotels, restaurants and cafes on 6 July 1998 and the subsequent extension of its scope of application by virtue of the Federal Council Order of 19 November 1998. It also notes the amendments to the Labour Act (LTr) introduced in August 2000 and the adoption on 10 May 2000 of the new Ordinances regarding the Labour Act (OLT 1 and 2), especially the provisions on working time, overtime work, rest periods and the posting of notices on working hours.

Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to specific measures aimed at protecting the employment conditions of the workers concerned such as the bill submitted to the Parliament in January 2002 which aims at fighting illegal employment principally by reinforcing supervision and sanctions. The Committee should be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information on the measures taken or envisaged to further improve the working conditions in the hotels, restaurants and similar establishments. It would particularly appreciate receiving additional information on existing national training schemes and programmes designed to improve the skills and enhance the career prospects of those employed in the hotel, restaurant and catering industry.

Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the Government’s indication according to which 206,000 employees and 26,315 employers are subject to the national collective labour agreement for hotels, restaurants and cafes currently in force. It also notes the 2001 report of the joint commission responsible for supervising the above agreement, in particular the monitoring of the application of its provisions through sample surveys carried out among the 26,500 establishments covered by the collective agreement and the number and results of inspection visits. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide all available information bearing on the practical application of the Convention.