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

Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131) - Guyana (Ratification: 1983)

The Committee takes due note of the Government’s report and the attached documentation.

Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the standing tripartite minimum wage committee, which is in operation since 1 July 1997, was established pursuant to section 7 of the Labour Act (Cap. 98:01). The Committee requests the Government to specify the statutory instrument which brought this committee into existence and set out its mandate and composition, and also to supply a copy of that instrument. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that the new minimum wage rates for various private sector occupations, which were recommended by the tripartite minimum wage committee in May 2002, were accepted by the Minister for implementation with effect from 1 October 2002. The Committee requests the Government to specify the statutory instrument giving effect to these proposals and to furnish a copy of that instrument. In addition, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the extent to which and the methods by which the criteria referred to in Article 3 of the Convention are taken into account in determining or adjusting minimum wage levels, and to furnish copies of any relevant studies or surveys undertaken in this connection.

Furthermore, the Committee would appreciate receiving clarifications as to the present position of law and practice in respect of: (i) the appointment of wages councils for specific industries or occupations in accordance with the Wages Councils Act (Cap. 98:04); and (ii) the authority of the Minister to issue wages regulation orders without recourse to an advisory committee pursuant to the 1978 amendment of the Labour Act.

Article 5 and Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the statistical information regarding the number of inspection visits and violations observed in 2002. It requests the Government to continue to supply general information on the application of the Convention in practice, including: (i) the minimum wage rates in force in the private and public sectors; (ii) the available data on the number and different categories of workers covered by minimum wage provisions; and (iii) the enforcement of minimum wage legislation.