Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131) - Yemen (Ratification: 1976)

Article 4 of the Convention. Full consultation and direct participation of employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee recalls its previous comments in which it noted that, even though the minimum wage set for public employees (20,000 rials or approximately US$100 per month) may also apply to workers of the private sector in accordance with section 55(1) of the Labour Code, there is no institutionalized mechanism for fixing and revising minimum wages through a consultative process sufficiently representative of employers’ and workers’ interests. In its last report, the Government indicates that the implementation of the national strategy on wages has been postponed due to the current economic situation. The Government also states that the establishment of the tripartite Labour Council, which is provided for in section 11(1) of the Labour Code, has been deferred in view of the proposed amendment of the Labour Code. Accordingly, the Committee notes with regret that no progress has been made as regards the implementation of the Convention, either in law or in practice. The Committee urges the Government to take, without further delay, all necessary measures in order to set up a minimum wage fixing mechanism based on effective and genuine tripartite consultations. It asks the Government to keep the Office informed of any developments concerning the reactivation of the national strategy on wages, the eventual establishment of the Labour Council and the announced amendment of the Labour Code.