CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes the detailed report of the Government and attached documents, in particular copies of the Wages Regulation Orders currently in force for security services, the wholesale and retail trades, road transport, printing trades, manufacturing trades, garment industry, hotel and catering, building and civil and electrical engineering, mining and quarrying, and sawmilling and logging, and the General Orders prescribing the terms and conditions of service of public officials.

The Committee notes that a new Employment Relations Bill 2006 (Bill No. 8 of 2006) is under consideration. With regard to this draft legislation, the Committee asks the Government to explain how the Bill intends to ensure that the employers and the workers would be represented in equal numbers and on equal terms in the Employment Relations Advisory Board, since section 8(3) of the Bill merely provides that, when appointing members of the Board, the Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations may take into account the principles of equality set out in section 38 of the Constitution. The Committee also requests the Government to keep it informed of any further progress concerning the adoption of the new employment legislation.

Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes the General Orders of the Public Service Commission provided by the Government. While noting that the General Orders provide for the terms and conditions of service of public officers, it observes that the Orders do not appear to contain provisions on the determination of minimum wage levels. It would therefore appreciate receiving additional information in this regard.

Article 5 and Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the statistics provided by the Government concerning the composition of the workforce. It also notes that the Government refers in its report to data concerning underpayment of wages or wage arrears published in the 2004 Annual Report of the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations. This document, however, has not been received and the Committee would appreciate receiving a copy. It would also be grateful if the Government would continue providing up to date information on the practical application of the Convention, for instance, statistical information showing the evolution of statutory minimum wage rates in recent years as compared to the evolution of the inflation rate or other related economic indicators in the same period, labour inspection results including the number and nature of infringements reported and sanctions imposed, etc.