Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131) - Latvia (Ratification: 1993)

The Committee notes the detailed information provided in the Government’s report, in particular the adoption of Cabinet Regulation No. 413 of 22 July 2003 concerning the procedure for determining and revising the minimum monthly wage which aims at raising the level of the minimum monthly wage to 50 per cent of the monthly average gross remuneration by the end of a seven-year transitional period in 2010.

Article 3 of the Convention. Socio-economic criteria for adjusting the minimum wage. The Committee notes that by virtue of Cabinet Regulation No. 858 of 17 October 2006, the minimum monthly and hourly rates were set at LVL120 (approximately US$237) and LVL0.713 (approximately US$1.40), respectively. It also notes the Government’s explanations that the latest adjustment was necessary due to the increase of the consumer price index and also taking into account that in 2005–06 it was not made possible to reach the target levels which had been agreed in 2003. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply all relevant information on the implementation of the transition plan (2004–10) for the progressive raising of the minimum wage to 50 per cent of the average wage, in particular as regards the manner in which social considerations, such as the needs of workers and their families, the cost of living, or social security benefits, are taken into account in the annual revision of the minimum wage level.

Article 5 and Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the number of workers remunerated at the minimum wage rate, the meetings of the National Tripartite Cooperation Council concerning the increase of the minimum wage, and the activities of the State Labour Inspectorate in relation to enforcement of the legislation on minimum wage. It would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide up to date information on the practical application of the Convention.