Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131) - Albania (Ratification: 2004)

Article 2(1) of the Convention. Differentiated minimum wage rates based on age. In the absence of the Government’s reply on this point, the Committee once again requests the Government to specify whether any differentiated minimum wage rates based on age are currently in force and, if so, to indicate how young workers are protected against wage discrimination when performing work of equal value.

Articles 3 and 4(2). Criteria for minimum wage fixing and full consultation with social partners. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, in February 2010, the tripartite Wages and Pensions Commission of the National Labour Council analysed the trend of minimum wage increase in the period
1992–2009 and drew up a declaration enumerating the primary considerations in fixing minimum wage rates. The Government also indicates that, in consultation with the social partners, it was decided to raise the minimum wage this year by more than the annual inflation rate. The Committee requests the Government to provide more detailed information, including copies of any relevant texts, on the discussions held within the Wages and Pensions Commission and the declaration adopted concerning priority areas for further consultations when reviewing and fixing the minimum wage. The Committee would also appreciate receiving a copy of the legal instrument setting out the composition, mandate and rules of procedure of the tripartite Wages and Pensions Commission of the National Labour Council and a copy of the Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 522 of 13 May 2009.

In this respect, the Committee wishes to refer to its 2009 general observation in which reference was made to the Global Jobs Pact, adopted by the International Labour Conference in June 2009 in response to the global economic crisis, which places particular emphasis on the need to strengthen respect for international labour standards and expressly identifies wages-related ILO instruments as being relevant in order to prevent a downward spiral in labour conditions and build recovery (paragraph 14). The Global Jobs Pact further suggests that governments should consider options such as minimum wages that can reduce poverty and inequity, increase demand and contribute to economic stability (paragraph 23) and points out that in order to avoid deflationary wage spirals, minimum wages should be regularly reviewed and adapted (paragraph 12).

Article 5 and Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee would appreciate if the Government would continue to provide information on the practical application of the Convention, including, for instance, the minimum wage rates currently in force for workers in the private and the public sectors, the approximate number of workers remunerated at the minimum wage rate, comparative statistics on the evolution of the minimum wage and the consumer price index in recent years, extracts from reports of the labour inspection services showing the number of infringements of the minimum wage legislation observed and sanctions imposed, copies of relevant collective agreements or official studies on minimum wage policy issues, etc.