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

Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131) - Lithuania (Ratification: 1994)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and the attached documentation furnished in response to its previous comment.

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the minimum monthly and hourly wage rates are currently fixed at 430 and 2.53 litas respectively and that these rates have not been increased since 1999 in view of the difficult financial situation. It also notes that, according to the Tripartite Cooperation Agreement of 29 May 2002, signed by the Government, trade unions and employers’ organizations, it has been agreed that priority action should be taken to improve the system of labour remuneration by preparing a strategy for the indexation of the minimum wage. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of any developments in this regard. It would also appreciate receiving up-to-date information on the evolution of indicators such as the national average wage or the consumer price index in recent years to better evaluate the adequacy of current minimum wage levels in ensuring a decent standard of living for all workers and their families.

Article 5 and Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the statistical information regarding the results of inspection visits carried out in the period 2000-01, including the number of infringements observed and penalties applied. It also notes the Government’s statement that, as regards the application of section 41-4 of the Code on Administrative Offences, as last amended by Act No. VIII-1486 of 21 December 1999, the Government may temporarily exempt certain enterprises experiencing serious financial difficulties from the imposition of sanctions for breach of the laws and regulations concerning the payment of wages. Recalling that the Convention does not provide for any exceptions to the principle of the binding force of minimum wages and that it calls for the application of effective sanctions to ensure compliance with its provisions, the Committee asks the Government to supply additional information on this point, specifying the number of exemptions granted so far as well as the approximate number of workers concerned by any such measures. The Government is also requested to continue to provide general information on the application of the Convention in practice, such as the minimum wage rates in force, available data on the number and different categories of workers covered by minimum wage provisions, and any other particulars bearing on the operation of the minimum wage-fixing machinery.