Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131) - Lebanon (Ratification: 1977)

The Committee notes the Government's reports. It notes the Government's indication that the latest Decree fixing the official minimum wages was promulgated on 15 September 1992, and requests the Government to supply a copy of this Decree.

Article 1, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the Convention. In its previous comments the Committee raised the question of the minimum wages for the workers such as domestic workers and workers in the agricultural sector, who are not covered by the Labour Code and who are consequently excluded from the scope of the Decrees fixing minimum wages. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the provisions of the Code of Obligations and Contracts, which are applicable to domestic workers and to agricultural enterprises according to the Government, and to indicate whether it includes provisions concerning the minimum wages. The Committee also recalls that the Government indicated in its 1991 report under article 19 of the Constitution on minimum wage Conventions that a commission had been established to examine the possibility of applying the Labour Code to the agricultural sector. It requests the Government to indicate any development in this regard.

Article 2, paragraph 2. Noting the Government's indication that collective agreements exist in all the banks and the oil companies, as well as in some weaving companies, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the number of workers in such sectors.

Article 4, paragraphs 2 and 3. The Committee notes the Government's indication that the Commission on the Index of Cost of Living established under Decree No. 4206 of 8 August 1991, examines the wage questions and submits the result to the Cabinet of Ministers which promulgates the Decree fixing the minimum wages as well as the rates of cost of living. It also notes that Decree No. 4206 provides for the tripartite composition of the above Commission. However, it is not clear from the Decree whether the Commission has the mandate to make a specific proposal concerning the fixing of minimum wages. The Committee therefore asks the Government to indicate whether the Decree of 15 September 1992 fixing the minimum wages was based on the proposal or recommendation of the Commission.