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

Hours of Work (Industry) Convention, 1919 (No. 1) - Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (Ratification: 1973)

The Government indicates the difficulties, which have continued to prevent it from revising the General Labour Code of 1942 in line with the Committee’s previous comments. The Committee, nevertheless, cannot but regret once again that the Government has not retained the General Labour Bill, drawn up with ILO technical assistance.

The Committee has for a considerable number of years been commenting on section 50 of the above Act, which provides that the labour inspectorate may authorize up to two additional hours of work per day under any circumstances. It reiterates that this provision is inconsistent with Article 6, paragraphs 1(b) and 2, of the Convention, which only admits temporary exceptions to the normal working day in the event of abnormal pressure of work and on condition that the maximum of additional hours which may be authorized is determined in each case in regulations made by public authority.

The Committee notes the Government’s renewed request for technical assistance to be provided to a tripartite committee in charge of the revision of the relevant national law. It again expresses the hope that any results achieved will be translated into action very soon.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2005.]