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

Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 (No. 26) - Madagascar (Ratification: 1960)

The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government in its report on the adoption of Act No. 94-029 of 25 August 1995 issuing the new Labour Code. The Committee notes that by virtue of section 66, the minimum wage (SMIG) must assure the minimum subsistence level for the most underprivileged workers and a satisfactory purchasing power. It also notes that under section 67, the SMIG must be indexed to periodically revised consumer prices, taking into account the state of the nation's finances and the economic situation. The SMIG is fixed by decree after an opinion has been issued by the National Employment Council (section 67), which is of tripartite composition (section 155).

The Committee notes the Government's indication that the latest rate of the minimum wage (for the years 1997-98) has been increased by 15 per cent over its previous rate. It notes that Decree No. 98-310 of 9 April 1998 fixing the value of the index point for the calculation of minimum wages for recruitment and levels of seniority by occupational category is not attached to the report. The Committee hopes that the Government will provide this text with its next report.

The Committee also notes the information provided by the Government to the effect that the workers' trade unions called a strike in 1999 to claim a minimum monthly wage of FMG450,000 (US$90) to cover the decline in their purchasing power. The Committee also notes that comments made by the Madagascar Enterprise Group (GEM) on the latest increase in the minimum wage were not attached to the Government's report and it hopes that the Government will provide them with its next report and will supply information on changes in the minimum wage and on the measures adopted to respond to the workers' claims.