Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery (Agriculture) Convention, 1951 (No. 99) - Australia (Ratification: 1969)

The Committee notes the detailed information provided in the Government’s report regarding the Commonwealth and State legislation in respect of minimum wage fixing in the agricultural sector. In particular, it notes the enactment of Queensland’s Industrial Relations Act 1999 and its 2001 amendment by which the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission is requested to render at least once a year a general ruling on a Queensland minimum wage for all employees. It also notes the adoption of Western Australia’s Labour Relations Reform Act 2002 by which responsibility for reviewing and adjusting the minimum rate of pay is transferred from the Minister for Labour Relations to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

While noting the statistical data concerning the minimum rates of pay fixed by industrial awards in the various State jurisdictions, the Committee requests the Government to continue supplying all available information concerning the application of the Convention in practice, including the evolution of minimum wage rates and the criteria taken into consideration in reviewing minimum wage levels, the number of agricultural workers covered by relevant laws and regulations, extracts from official reports and surveys addressing questions related to minimum wage fixing in agriculture and any other particulars bearing on the implementation of the provisions of the Convention.

The Committee refers also to the comments made under Convention No. 131.