CMNT_TITLE

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report.

Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes that, according to the information supplied by the Government in its report, as of 1 January 2000 the minimum wage in agriculture, gamekeeping, forestry and fishery came into effect for the first time simultaneously with the minimum wage applicable in other branches of the national economy, and that this development marked the discontinuation of the previous practice whereby the minimum wage in agriculture was introduced with a few months’ delay compared to the minimum wages in other sectors. The Committee requests the Government to specify the minimum wage rates in force and provide a copy of the statutory instrument fixing these rates at their current level.

Article 2. While noting the provisions of section 154(2) of the Labour Code, the Committee asks the Government to indicate whether, and if so under which conditions and within which limits, the partial payment of minimum wages in the form of allowances in kind is authorized under existing laws or regulations. In this regard, the Committee would appreciate receiving copies of any relevant texts giving effect to the specific requirements of this Article of the Convention as well as information concerning the practical application of such method of payment.

Article 5, in conjunction with Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, according to 2001 figures, about 30-33 per cent of agricultural workers were remunerated at the minimum wage rate. It also notes that in 2001 the labour inspection services carried out 385 inspections of agricultural undertakings and reported 28 infringements of the national legislation in respect of minimum wages, while in 2002 the inspection action programme involved 124 employers 17 of whom were found in breach of minimum wage provisions. While noting the Government’s statement to the effect that no specific statistics are available with regard to inspection results and penalties imposed in the agricultural, forestry and fishery sectors, the Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to collect and communicate all relevant information in future reports. It also requests the Government to continue supplying up-to-date information on all aspects of the implementation and enforcement of the minimum wage legislation in respect of agricultural workers.

In addition, the Committee refers to the comments made under Convention No. 26.