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Social Policy (Basic Aims and Standards) Convention, 1962 (No. 117) - Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (Ratification: 1983)

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Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

The Committee notes the observations of the Confederation of Workers of Venezuela (CTV), the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations of Venezuela (FAPUV), the Independent Trade Union Alliance of Workers (CTASI), as well as those of the Bolivarian Socialist Confederation of Men and Women Workers in Urban and Rural Areas and Fishing of Venezuela (CBST-CCP), received together with the Government’s report. The Committee also notes the observations of the National Union of State and Public Service Workers (UNETE), received on 5 September 2022. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the measures adopted in respect of food security, housing and health care, including access to medicines. The Government recalls the creation in 2004 of the People’s Ministry for Food (MINPPAL) to guarantee supply to the population and access to the food basket through the formulation, implementation, follow-up and assessment of policies for commerce, industry, merchandise and food distribution. The Government also reports that the Food Production and Distribution Company (PDVAL) has been affiliated to MINPPAL since July 2008, with a view to providing foodstuffs and basic products. Since 2016, the Local Supply and Production Committees (CLAPs) ensure the distribution and commercialization of food and products of prime necessity. The Government also refers to the holding of various fairs with the aim of ensuring that the population has access to animal and fish protein. With regard to housing, the Government again refers to the implementation since 2011 of the “Major Mission for Housing in Venezuela”, which aims to construct five million decent dwellings. In this connection, the Government reports that production at the PetroCasa enterprise has been relaunched, with a view to ensuring the supply of materials for the construction of new housing. Moreover, the modalities for access to financial resources of that Mission have been widened, in particular through credits (the “Manage your credit” programme) and new financial instruments (the “Invest, save and build your own home” programme). The Government also refers to the “New Neighbourhood, Tricolour Neighbourhood” mission, the goal of which is to provide decent housing for families in high risk or high vulnerability areas, through the rehabilitation or replacement of housing, in collaboration with communities. The Government reports that as of June 2022, a total of 4,100,000 dwellings had been delivered under the Major Mission and, through the New Neighbourhood, Tricolour Neighbourhood programme, 1,923,458 dwellings had been rehabilitated and 1,221,145 land titles had been granted. On another matter, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that access to health is ensured for the entire population via the 593 Areas of Integrated Community Health (ASIC). The Government also refers to the “Within the Neighbourhood Mission”, which provides medical care to low-income neighbourhoods. The Community Pharmacies were set up in 2019, with the goal of ensuring free access to medicines to all sectors of the population, in partnership with the Social Pharmacy Network “FarmaPatria”. The Community Pharmacies guarantee access to pharmaceuticals in a timely, effective and controlled manner, especially for persons suffering from chronic diseases. The Government adds that the Mobile Community Pharmacies programme brings medicines and basic necessities to municipalities and parishes and also promotes health prevention campaigns. In this connection, the Committee notes that the CBST-CCP, in its observations, indicates that COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to 95 per cent of the population of the country. Finally, the Government indicates that between 2018 and 2022 a total of 4,039 retirements and 1,629 pensions were granted. The Committee also notes the information provided by the CBST-CCP in respect of the clauses on paid social benefits included in collective agreements signed in the university, educational and petrol sectors by affiliated trade unions and federations.

Nevertheless, the Committee once again expresses deep concern regarding the worsening living conditions of the Venezuelan population, which the CTV, the FAPUV, the CTASI and the UNETE denounce in their observations. The workers’ organizations particularly criticize the social food programmes implemented by the Government for serious defects in terms of their planning, management and assessment. The CTV, the FAPUV and the CTASI indicate that the distribution of foodstuffs, carried out through the CLAPs, is not universal in coverage and they maintain that the quantities have been reduced so that they currently supply only 17 per cent of the nutritional requirements of the population. Equally, the UNETE denounces acts of corruption in the distribution of food. The CTV, the FAPUV, the CTASI and the UNETE stress that, as a result of the expropriation of the agri-food enterprises by the Government (these enterprises represented 80 per cent of national food production), they have been abandoned or have become non-operational. This has resulted in thousands of workers losing their jobs and has increased the food sector’s dependence on imports, which amount to 82 per cent of food in the country. In the same manner, the CTV, the FAPUV and the CTASI indicate that, according to a February 2020 report on food security by the World Food Programme (WFP), one in three Venezuelans is in a situation of food insecurity and needs humanitarian aid. According to the same report, approximately nine million Venezuelans have insufficient income to purchase the basic basket of goods. They add that, as a result of this, and due to the deficiencies of the CLAP food distribution, 60 per cent of the population have had to reduce the quantity of their meals, 24 per cent are in a situation of moderate food insecurity and 7.9 per cent are in a situation of serious food insecurity. The CTV, the FAPUV and the CTASI affirm that the situation of children is even more alarming, stating that, according to certain figures provided by Caritas in October 2020, a total of 73 per cent of children under five years of age were suffering from malnutrition.

Regarding access to health, the CTV, the FAPUV and the CTASI indicate that, according to the 2021 Global Health Security Index, Venezuela occupies the worst position in Latin America for health capacity and is ranked among the ten worst countries in the world. The CTV, the FAPUV, the CTASI and the UNETE all denounce the scarcity and high cost of medicines and the precarious conditions of work of health workers, especially in respect of safety and health, which were clearly shown and greatly worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The UNETE further denounces cases of persecutions, disappearances and assassinations of health workers.

The Committee also notes that the CTV, the FAPUV and the CTASI indicate that, as of 24 August 2021, the minimum wage was situated between US$0.5 and 0.6 per day, far below the minimum income considered as extreme poverty (US$1.90 per day). The worker organizations stress, referring to data from the National Survey of Living Conditions (ENCOVI) as a basis, that extreme poverty in Venezuela increased from 67.7 per cent to 76.6 per cent between 2019 and 2021. They point out that the situation was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the UNETE denounces the wage cuts and less favourable work and contractual benefits for workers in the public administration. The CTV, the FAPUV and the CTASI also point to difficulties faced by regime opponents in gaining access to employment, as well as dismissals and other anti-trade union practices, including criminal prosecutions against trade union leaders in the public sector.

Finally, the Committee notes that the CTV, the FAPUV, the CTASI and the UNETE stress that the political, economic and social condition of the country has led to the exile of more than six million citizens, fleeing extreme poverty. They underline that this is the greatest human exodus in Latin America and the second greatest in the world. In this regard, the CTV, the FAPUV and the CTASI indicate that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Agency for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated that, as of June 2020, there were 5,082,170 Venezuelan migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. The UNETE denounces the disintegration of many families as a consequence of this situation. The Committee refers to its comments regarding the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), the Paid Educational Leave Convention, 1974 (No. 140), and the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), in respect of the present Convention, and urges the Government to provide detailed and updated information in its next report on the application of the provisions of the Convention in practice, in particular with regard to the impact of the measures taken to improve the quality of life of the whole population. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate the manner in which such measures are guaranteed to take account of essential family needs, such as food and its nutritional value, housing, clothing and medical care, and access to medicines and education.

Part III. Migrant workers. The Committee notes that, in its concluding observations of 4 October 2022, the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (CMW) expressed concern regarding the situation of indigenous peoples living in border districts between Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil, who regularly cross the border for work. The CMW indicated in its observations that such indigenous migrant workers were especially vulnerable and in danger of abuse, forced labour, trafficking in persons and debt slavery. Indigenous migrant workers in the mining and agricultural sectors were particularly at risk. The CMW expressed special concern at the situation of the indigenous Yukpas, Wayuu, Warao, Pemones, Bari and Yanomami peoples (CMW/C/VEN/CO/1, paragraph 48). The Committee urges the Government to send detailed and updated information without delay on the measures adopted or envisaged with a view to guaranteeing the conditions of work of migrant workers obliged to live away from their homes, taking account of their normal family needs (Article 6). In particular, the Committee urgently requests the Government to provide information on the impact of these measures in respect of migrant workers coming from the Yukpas, Wayuu, Warao, Pemones, Bari and Yanomami indigenous peoples.

Part IV. Remuneration of workers. Advances on wages. For thirteen years, the Committee has been asking the Government to provide specific examples of court or administrative decisions that address the maximum amount and manner of repayment of advances on wages. The Committee observes that once again the Government has not provided the requested examples and restricts itself to referring once more to section 91 of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and to section 103 of the Basic Act concerning labour and men and women workers (LOTTT) which establishes that wages cannot be seized. The Government also reiterates that, under section 154 of the LOTTT, “[…] the debts that men and women workers agree with their employer shall only be repayable, on a weekly or monthly basis, in amounts that may not exceed one third of the equivalent of a week or month of work, as appropriate”. The Government also reiterates that debts are repaid, but not advances on social benefits granted to cover the basic needs of housing, education and health, which can reach up to 75 per cent of their salaries. The Committee therefore expects that, in its next report, the Government will provide specific examples of court or administrative decisions that address the maximum amount and manner of repayment of advances on wages.

The Committee noted information supplied by the following States in an answer to a direct request: Romania.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

The Committee notes the observations made by the National Union of Workers of Venezuela (UNETE), the Confederation of Workers of Venezuela (CTV), the General Confederation of Workers (CGT) and the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions (CODESA), received on 26 September 2018. The Committee also notes the observations of the Independent Trade Union Alliance Confederation of Workers (CTASI), received on 29 August 2018. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in response to its previous comments regarding the series of social programmes adopted with a view to bolstering the Missions and Major Missions to improve the quality of life of the population. Among other measures, the Government refers to the transformation in June 2018 of the Youth Employment Plan into the Major Youth Employment Mission, which targets young people between the ages of 15 and 35 years, especially unemployed graduates, persons without education, single mothers, persons with family responsibilities and vulnerable persons. This Major Mission aims, inter alia, to integrate young people into productive work in areas associated with meeting human needs, and to train and qualify young people in occupations that produce goods and services for which there is a high social demand. The Government reports that 1,100,000 young people were enrolled in the Major Mission in August 2018. In June 2017, the “We are Venezuela” movement was established, comprising mainly young people who visit homes with a view to assisting vulnerable families in order to strengthen social policies. In 2016, Local Supply and Production Committees (CLAP) were established and there are now more than 32,000 committees throughout the country responsible for distributing essential goods (food and sanitation products) to more than 6 million families. The Government also reports the introduction of the Carnet de la Patria identity card, an innovative social protection system, through which the beneficiaries of the various social programmes are registered with a view to streamlining the implementation of those programmes, and in which 16,595,140 people are registered. The Government also refers to the Major Mission for Households in the Motherland, which aims to end extreme poverty in the country, the rate of which, according to the Government, is currently 4.4 per cent. This Mission covers more than 1,300,000 vulnerable families and aims to reach 2 million households. The Government also indicates that, since its establishment in 2011, the Major Mission for Housing in Venezuela has built 1,926,448 homes and aims to build a further 3 million by 2019.

The Committee expresses deep concern regarding the serious situation in the country, denounced by the CTASI in its observations, particularly the lack of access to essential goods, which has led to an increase in migration to other countries in the region and a number of protests, as well as increased violence and crime associated with a lack of food (looting, robbery, black market sales, smuggling, threats to those responsible for food distribution, etc.). The CTASI indicates that income poverty increased in the country from 81.8 per cent in 2016 to 87 per cent in 2017. Furthermore, it asserts that the Venezuelan food system assessment, initiated in 2017, has been characterized by a sustained reduction in national production, imports and food consumption, thus increasing the alarming levels of acute malnutrition in the population. The CTASI alleges that women and girls are the worst affected and cases of sex being exchanged for boxes of food from the CLAP have been reported. The CTASI also states that several regulations have been adopted with a view to controlling food production and distribution in the country, most notably the approval in January 2018 of the Act establishing Local Supply and Production Committees. In this regard, it reports irregularities in food distribution by CLAPs, such as their insufficient frequency and geographical coverage, their failure to take into account the criterion of household vulnerability, discrimination in access to food on the grounds of political affiliation and cases of poisoning as a consequence of rotten food. The Committee notes with concern the assertion by UNETE, CTV, CODESA and CGT that the Carnet de la Patria identity card is a social control mechanism. They assert that, with promises of bank deposits, food vouchers, toys and other benefits, the Government uses the Carnet de la Patria identity card and the “We are Venezuela” movement to mobilize voters during elections. They also allege that the Government uses food scarcity to maintain total control over voters and sometimes delivers boxes of food through the CLAPs for electoral purposes. Regarding the programmes implemented, they indicate that the Major Youth Employment Mission does not guarantee young people access to stable and decent work, but rather to short-term “gigs” and that, according to a report by the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic, school food programmes are hampered by planning, supervision and internal control issues. The Committee refers to its comments on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), the Paid Educational Leave Convention, 1974 (No. 140), and the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), which are related to the present Convention, and requests the Government to provide detailed and updated information in its next report on the Convention in relation to the impact of the measures implemented on improving standards of living for the whole population. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate how it guarantees that these measures take into account such essential family needs as food and its nutritive value, housing, clothing, medical care, including access to medicines, and education.

Part IV. Remuneration of workers. Advances on wages. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide rulings by courts of justice or updated copies of administrative decisions addressing the maximum amount and manner of the repayment of advances on wages that give effect to Article 12(2) and (3) of the Convention. The Committee notes that the Government refers in its report to article 91 of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and section 103 of the Basic Act concerning labour and men and women workers (LOTTT), which establishes that wages cannot be seized. The Government reiterates that, under the provisions of section 154 of the LOTTT “throughout the employment relationship, the debts that men and women workers agree with their employer shall only be repayable, on a weekly or monthly basis, in amounts that may not exceed one third of the equivalent of a week or month of work, as appropriate”. The Government indicates that the decisions of the competent administrative authorities are based on the provisions of the aforementioned section. The Government adds that debts are repaid, but not advances on social benefits granted to cover the basic needs of housing, education and health, which can reach up to 75 per cent. The Committee observes, however, that the Government does not provide specific examples of rulings by courts of justice or administrative decisions addressing the maximum amount and manner of repayment of advances on wages. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide specific and recent examples of rulings by courts of justice or administrative decisions addressing the maximum amount and manner of repayment of advances on wages, in accordance with the requirements of Article 12 of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2013. The Government indicates that a reduction in extreme poverty has been noted and that it fell from 17.1 per cent in 1998 to 7 per cent in 2012. The human development index of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in 2012 was 0.748, thus placing it among high human development countries. The Committee also notes that the Organic Labour Act (LOTTT), in section 97, provides that the State shall design policies to improve the conditions of families and increase their income, in co responsibility with society and the organizations of the people’s power. The Committee also notes the observations made by the Independent Trade Union Alliance (ASI) and the Government’s reply. The ASI expresses concern at the significant rise in the various price indices for food and the high scarcity rate of certain foodstuffs. The Committee refers to the comments that it has been making on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), and invites the Government to include in its next report on Convention No. 117 an updated synthesis of the results achieved and the initiatives undertaken to ensure that the “improvement of standards of living” has been regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development (Article 2 of the Convention). The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the results achieved by the measures taken to increase the productive capacity and improve the standards of living of agricultural producers (Article 4). The Committee also invites the Government to provide information on the measures taken to give effect to Article 5(1) of the Convention.

Part IV. Remuneration of workers. Advances on wages. The Committee notes that section 154 of the LOTTT provides that “for as long as the employment relationship lasts, the debts that men and women workers contract with their employer shall only be repayable, by week or by month, in amounts that may not exceed one third of the equivalent of a week or month of work, as appropriate”. The Government indicates that, with regard to the repayment of debts contracted by workers with their employers, during the year 2012, of the 18,874 inspections carried out, only 54 identified cases of non-compliance. Until April 2013, of the 11,532 inspections carried out, there were only 253 cases of non-compliance in relation to the repayment of debts. The Committee refers to its direct request of 2009 and once again invites the Government to provide in its next report rulings by courts of justice or updated copies of administrative decisions addressing the maximum amount and form of repayment of advances on wages which give effect to Article 12(2) and (3) of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in August 2008. The Government refers to the strategic guidelines for the economic and social development plan 2007–13 and the specific measures adopted in agriculture. In relation to Article 4, the Government states that in 2008 agricultural projects worth US$6 billion were funded, increasing food production by 39 percentage points, restoring irrigation systems and creating five mixed enterprises for food processing in the context of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas. The Committee refers to its other comments on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), which are related to Convention No. 117, and hopes that the Government will include in its next report on the present Convention an up to date summary of the manner in which the “improvement of standards of living” has been regarded as “the principal objective in the planning of economic development” (Article 2 of Convention No. 117).

Part IV. Remuneration of workers. With regard to the amount of advances on wages, the Government again refers to section 165 of the Organic Labour Act, which states that, for the whole duration of the employment relationship, any debts incurred by workers vis-à-vis the employer may only be paid off on a weekly or monthly basis in quantities which shall not exceed one third of the equivalent of the weekly or monthly wage, as the case may be. The Government explains that all debts incurred by any worker vis-à-vis the employer during the employment relationship shall be paid off on a weekly or monthly basis in quantities proportional to the monthly wage received. The Committee understands that that provision is designed to limit the maximum amount and manner of repayment of advances on wages. Furthermore, the Government explains that, as regards the possibility that a worker may be enticed into accepting employment and subsequently be obliged to repay any advances, the principles of irrecoverability and availability of wages make it impossible for a worker to be enticed into accepting employment and then be obliged to offset or repay any advance. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on any court rulings or administrative decisions covering the abovementioned matters of principle to ensure the application of Article 12(2) and (3) of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

1. Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee requests the Government to include in its next report an updated assessment of the manner in which "the improvement of the standard of living" has been considered as "the principal objective in the planning of economic development" (Article 2 of the Convention) and to inform it of the results achieved to increase the production capacity and to improve the living standards of agricultural producers (Article 4).

2. Part IV. Remuneration of workers. The Committee notes the Government’s statement in its report received in October 2003 that the matters raised by the Committee of Experts will be borne in mind when the legislative drafts reforming the Organic Labour Act and its Regulations are brought before the National Assembly. The Committee recalls that in its previous comments, it referred to section 165 of the Act which provides that "during an employment relation, debts contracted by the workers to their employers shall be repayable, in weekly or monthly instalments, only if the amounts of repayment are less than one-third of one week’s or one month’s wages, depending on the case …". The Committee again indicates that Article 12, paragraphs 1 and 2, of the Convention, in addition to regulating the means of repaying advances on wages, provides that the amount of advances which may be made to a worker in consideration of his/her taking up employment shall be limited by the competent authority. Consequently, the Committee reiterates its hope that, in the near future, the Committee will adopt the necessary measures to regulate the amount of advances on wages, including advances which may be made to a worker in consideration of his/her taking up employment, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Convention. In fixing the maximum amount of advances on wages, measures should also be adopted to make any advance in excess of the amount laid down legally irrecoverable (Article 12, paragraph 3).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report in response to its earlier comments.

Article 12, paragraphs 1 and 2, of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government's indication that section 165 of the Organic Labour Act provides that "during an employment relation, debts contracted by the workers to their employers shall only be repayable, in weekly or monthly instalments, if the amounts of repayment are less than one third of the equivalent of one (1) week's or one (1) month's wages, depending on the case...". The Committee reminds the Government that besides regulating the manner in which repayment of advances on wages shall be made, Article 12, paragraphs 1 and 2, provide that the amount of advances which may be made to a worker in consideration of his taking up employment, shall be regulated by the competent authority. The Committee therefore hopes that the Government will adopt in the near future the necessary measures to regulate the amount of advances on wages, including the advances which may be made to a worker in consideration of taking up employment, in conformity with these provisions of the Convention.

Article 12, paragraph 3. The Committee hopes that the Government, when determining the maximum amount of advances on wages, will also take steps to render any advance in excess of the amount fixed legally irrecoverable.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

Article 8 of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest the copy supplied by the Government of the Act approving the Andean Instrument on Labour Migration (Official Gazette No. 2, 310 of 20 September 1978), which provides, among other things, for equal labour rights for migrant workers and workers of the country of immigration (article 12) and for facilities for the transfer of migrant workers' wages and savings to their homes (article 14), in compliance with this provision of the Convention. The Committee hopes that the Government's future reports will include information on any other agreements of a similar nature.

Article 12. The Committee notes that section 108(1)(d) of the Organic Labour Act, 1990, to which the Government refers, regulates the payment upon termination of an employment relationship. It notes the Government's statement that it hopes to resolve other points in the Regulations under the Organic Labour Act. The Committee requests the Government to report on any progress made with a view to limit the amount of advances on wages that may be made and to make any advance in excess of the prescribed amount legally irrecoverable.

Article 15. The Committee notes that the information supplied by the Government concerns mainly pre-primary education. It hopes that the Government will include in its future reports information on the development of broad systems of education and vocational training, with particular reference to the availability of educational services in the interior of the country.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information supplied in the Government's report, and in particular concerning Articles 7 and 13 of the Convention.

Article 8. The Committee notes the Government's indication of various measures taken for the protection of foreign workers in Venezuela and Venezuelan workers in foreign countries. It again requests the Government to state whether agreements have been concluded with any foreign countries in order to regulate matters of common concern in connection with migrant workers.

Article 12. The Committee notes the Government's reference to some provisions of the Organic Labour Act (published on 20 December 1990). It notes that section 162 of the said Act prescribes the limit to the distraints upon the remuneration of workers, and that section 165 limits the repayment of debts to the employer, during and at the termination of the employment relationship, to a certain percentage of the remuneration or sums due to the employee. The manner of repayment of advances on wages is thus regulated. It appears, however, that the maximum amounts of advances on wages are not prescribed under this Act. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate measures taken or envisaged to limit such amount and also to make any advance in excess of the prescribed amount legally irrecoverable, and to prevent such an advance from being recovered by the withholding of amounts of pay due to the worker at a later date.

Article 15. The Committee notes the Government's statement that the educational services are available to young people not only in the central region but also in the interior of the country. It would be grateful if the Government would supply with its future reports information on the practical application of this Article, including, for example, extracts from official reports, in accordance with point V of the report form.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Article 7 of the Convention. The Committee notes from the document entitled "Organisation of the territory for the present and the future", supplied by the Government with its report, that it is concerned about internal migrations and that a series of measures are proposed in order to control them. In this connection, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether measures have been envisaged to encourage the transfer of the wages of internal migrant workers, who are working temporarily in a region other than the one from which they originate, to the regions of labour supply.

Article 8. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply information on whether manpower from other countries is employed and, if so, whether it has been considered necessary to conclude agreements with the competent authorities in order to regulate matters of common concern arising in connection with the use of these labour resources.

Article 12. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether there exist legal provisions regulating the maximum amounts and manner of repayment of advances on wages, as well as the way in which the amount to be reimbursed is explained to the worker. It would also be grateful if the Government would indicate whether there exist provisions laying down that any advance in excess of the amount laid down by the competent authority shall be legally irrecoverable and may not be recovered by the witholding of amounts of pay due to the worker at a later date.

Article 13. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether there are provisions to encourage independent producers to practice any voluntary form of thrift and if measures have been adopted or are contemplated in order to protect such producers against usary, in particular through action aimed at a reduction of rates of interest on loans and by the encouragement of facilities for loans through cooperative credit organisations or institutions which are under the control of the authorities.

Article 15. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether the education services are accessible to young people in all parts of the national territory.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

Articles 8 and 14, paragraph 3. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply information on whether manpower from other countries is employed and, if so, whether it has been considered necessary to conclude agreements with the competent authorities in order to regulate matters of common concern arising in connection with the use of these labour resources. The Committee would also be grateful for indications as to whether measures have been adopted in order to grant workers who are employed away from their homes, in another country, benefits in cash or in kind to meet the personal or family expenses resulting from this situation. The Committee requests the Government to refer also to its comments concerning Conventions Nos. 3, 87, 97, 98, 100, 111, 143.

Article 13. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether there are provisions to encourage independent producers to practice any voluntary form of thrift and if measures have been adopted or are contemplated in order to protect such producers against usary, in particular through action aimed at a reduction of rates of interest on loans and by the encouragement of facilities for loans through co-operative credit organisations or institutions which are under the control of the authorities.

Article 15. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether the education services are accessible to young people in all parts of the national territory.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the following matters raised in its previous direct request:

Article 12. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether there exist legal provisions regulating the maximum amounts and manner of repayment of advances on wages, and limits on the amount of advances, as well as the way in which the amount to be reimbursed is explained to the worker. It would also be grateful if the Government would indicate whether there exist provisions laying down that any advance in excess of the amount laid down by the competent authority shall be legally irrecoverable and may not be recovered by the witholding of amounts of pay due to the worker at a later date.

Article 13. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether there are provisions to encourage independent producers to practice any voluntary form of thrift and if measures have been adopted or are contemplated in order to protect such producers against usary, in particular through action aimed at a reduction of rates of interest on loans and by the encouragement of facilities for loans through co-operative credit organisations or institutions which are under the control of the authorities.

Article 15. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether the education services are accessible to young people in all parts of the national territory.