Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention, 1921 (No. 14) - Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (Ratification: 1954)

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report. Referring to its observation of 1998 the Committee notes the information supplied in particular about possible agreements between employers and workers to grant compensatory rest in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention.

Article 5 of the Convention. The Committee recalls that Article 5 of the Convention provides for, as far as possible, compensatory periods of rest in cases where exceptions have been made regarding the right to weekly rest. In this regard, the Committee once again points out that section 31 of Decree No. 244 (a regulation issued under the General Labour Law) allows more latitude to the employer than is envisaged under the Convention. The Committee must highlight with regret that since 1966 the Government indicates that amendments to the Labour Law will provide new regulations to bring the national legislation into conformity with Article 5 of the Convention. The Committee notes that despite its numerous direct requests and observations during the last 34 years, the Government mentioned in its last report that the amendment of the General Labour Law is under preparation and will be finished within a "reasonable period". The Committee reiterates its hope that the Government will make every effort to adopt the necessary measures in the very near future. It hopes that the new legislation will be adopted as soon as possible with a provision to ensure that workers employed on a weekly rest day are granted compensatory rest. It requests the Government to continue to indicate the progress achieved in this respect and to supply a copy of the relevant text, when it is adopted.

Part VI of the report form. The Committee further notes that in the last report no information was supplied whether the report has been communicated to representative organizations of employers and workers and whether any observations have been received from these organizations.

The Committee requests the Government to supply full information on this point, as requested in the report form and article 23, paragraph 2, of the ILO Constitution.