Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 (No. 26) - Argentina (Ratification: 1950)

Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention. Minimum wage fixing machinery. Further to its previous comment, in which it noted with interest the major developments and progress made in recent years with regard to the operation of the system for determining and readjusting the minimum wage, the Committee notes the Government’s indications about the unanimous decision of 26 August 2011 by which the National Council for Employment, Productivity and the Minimum Adjustable Wage (CNEPySMVM) agreed on a 25 per cent increase of the minimum wage setting the minimum monthly rate at of 2,300 Argentina pesos (ARS) (approximately US$540) and the minimum hourly rate at ARS11.50 (approximately US$2.6). The Committee also notes the detailed information provided by the Government concerning the status and coverage of 25 collective agreements setting minimum wages for specific sectors, including construction, banking, metallurgy, textile, oil, mining, transport and chemical. The Committee requests the Government to provide together with its next report information on: (i) any developments with respect to the method of determination of the basket of essential goods (canasta básica total); (ii) efforts to extend minimum wage coverage to workers in the informal economy, including domestic workers; and (iii) inspection results showing the number of infringements of the minimum wage legislation observed and the penalties imposed.

Moreover, the Committee notes the communication of the General Confederation of Labour (CGT RA), dated 31 August 2011, in which the Confederation expresses its support for the ratification of the Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131) as a means of improving the interaction between the national legislation and international labour standards and enhancing the protection of workers and their families. The Committee recalls that the ratification of Convention No. 131 is all the more advisable as the national legislation already provides for a system of minimum wages which covers all groups wage earners, and not only those trades in which no arrangements exist for the regulation of wages by collective agreement and wages are exceptionally low. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to keep the Office informed of any decision taken or envisaged with respect to the possible ratification of Convention No. 131.