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

Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 (No. 26) - Bahamas (Ratification: 1976)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government's report in reply to its previous request.

Articles 2 and 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government's indication that only a minimum wage for the public sector ($4.12 per hour) has been established. The Government further indicates that the new Minimum Labour Standards Bill reflects more closely the provisions and content of the Convention, and it is envisaged that the wage council and other mechanisms will then be implemented.

The Committee hopes that the new Minimum Labour Standards Bill will soon be adopted by Parliament. It requests the Government to provide a copy of this text as soon as it is adopted.

Article 3, paragraph 3. The Committee notes the Government's indication that domestic house workers and domestic servants are excluded from the scope of application of the minimum wage regulations. It asks the Government to provide information on the labour provisions that are applicable to domestic house workers and domestic servants, and to indicate whether they include provisions concerning minimum wages or if there are collective agreements applicable to these categories of workers.

Article 5 and Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the Government's indication that the statistics desired are not available. It hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide, in accordance with these provisions of the Convention, general information on the application of the Convention in practice, including: (i) the minimum wage rates in force in the private sector; (ii) approximate data on number and different categories of workers covered by minimum provisions; and (iii) 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.]