Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

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

The Committee notes the Government’s report, particularly the indication that, as the minimum wage rates for workers employed in agricultural undertakings are fixed in the same way as for wage earners in general, the major reforms introduced by the Work Choices Act, 2005, also apply to the agricultural industry.

While noting that the Work Choices system is only at the early stages of its implementation, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide full particulars on the application of the new Commonwealth legislation and the functioning of the new Fair Pay Commission, especially as regards the agricultural sector. It would also appreciate receiving up to date information concerning the practical application of the Convention, for instance, the number of agricultural workers covered by minimum wage legislation, the evolution of minimum pay rates, extracts from any official documents or studies on minimum wages in agriculture, reports of the labour inspections services, etc.

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