Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government's report in reply to its previous request. It notes in particular that, as from 1 July, a standing tripartite minimum wage committee comprising two members each from the three social partners regularly reviews rates.

The Committee also notes the various collective agreements in agriculture, the oil industry and insurance including, inter alia, salary scales. However, the Committee notes that the Government's report contains no information as regards the latest wage agreements concluded between the various public agencies and the unions concerned, including the number of public sector workers covered by such agreements. In this respect, the Committee also wishes to refer to the summary document of the World Food Programme (WFP) project "Guyana 4889 Exp.1: Multi-purpose Agricultural and Community Development Project" according to which (cf. paras. 8, 15 (social support) and 17), the minimum wage in the public sector (G$290/day) appears to be particularly low compared to that in the private sector (G$500/day). Moreover, in remote areas, workers seem to be poorly paid, whereas the cost of living is much higher than in coastal areas. The above facts have led the project to supplement the wages of hospital and teaching staff and low paid administration workers in indigenous areas with the WFP food aid (in kind).

The Committee hopes, therefore, that the Government will provide, in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention in conjunction with Article 5 and point V of the report form, full and updated information concerning the minimum wage rates in force in Guyana and their application in the public sector and remote areas, together with the results of inspections carried out (e.g. the number of violations of minimum wage provisions, the penalties imposed, etc.).

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2000.]