Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, in particular, the two minimum wage orders of January 2006 readjusting the national minimum wage at JMD2,800 (approximately US$42.5) per week for general workers and JMD103.5 (approximately US$1.5) per hour for industrial security guards. It also notes the information concerning the consultation process followed by the Minimum Wage Commission for the purpose of formulating its recommendations to the Minister of Labour and Social Security on a possible increase of the minimum wage rates. However, as the Committee has noted in previous comments, the information concerning the equitable representation of employers and workers in the minimum wage fixing machinery has been contradictory. In fact, whereas in earlier reports, the Government indicated that the three permanent members of the Minimum Wage Commission were appointed on a tripartite basis, following consultation with, and nominations by the most representative organizations of employers and workers, in its last report, it indicates that the employers are not specifically associated by virtue of the legislation even though their views are eventually taken into consideration. The Committee recalls in this respect that, as required under Article 3, paragraph 2(2), of the Convention, the employers and workers concerned must be associated in the operation of the minimum wage fixing machinery in equal numbers and on equal terms. The Committee would be grateful, therefore, if the Government would provide additional explanations concerning giving effect to these provisions in both law and practice. Moreover, the Committee would appreciate receiving a copy of the Minimum Wage Commission’s report to which reference was made in the Government’s report.

Finally, the Committee would thank the Government for continuing to supply up to date information on the practical application of the Convention, including, for instance, copies of official studies addressing issues related to the minimum wage system, extracts from inspection reports, statistics on the evolution of minimum wage rates in recent years as compared to the evolution of economic indicators such as the inflation rate, etc.