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

Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 (No. 26) - Panama (Ratification: 1970)

The Committee notes the detailed information provided in the Government’s report and Executive Decree No. 227 of 2 July 2003 which fixes the new minimum wage rates per hour, by geographical region and branch of activity.

The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s report, the system of labour statistics of the Ministry of Labour and Employment Development is undergoing a process of reorganization and that, as a result, statistical data on the number and different occupational categories covered by minimum wage regulations are not available. The Committee also notes the Government’s reference to Act No. 53 of 28 August 1975 which provides that the Ministry of Labour and Employment Development is the competent body for re-examining complaints concerning the determination of the applicable minimum wage. The Committee recalls that the Convention requires a system of supervision and sanctions to ensure that the wages actually paid are not lower than the applicable minimum wage rates. In this respect, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide, in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention and Part V of the report form, full particulars on the application of the Convention in practice, in particular the results of the inspections carried out (violations reported, sanctions imposed, etc.), as well as reports of the activities of the National Minimum Wage Commission, official studies on socio-economic aspects relating to minimum wages, statistical data on the number of workers covered by different minimum wage rates and any other information on the operation of minimum wage fixing machinery.