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

Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 (No. 26) - Bahamas (Ratification: 1976)

Article 1 of the Convention. Minimum wage fixing machinery. In its previous comments, the Committee had requested the Government to indicate whether any tripartite consultative body had been set up for the purpose of periodically reviewing minimum wage rates. In its latest report, the Government states that owing to the global financial crisis, the national minimum wage remains unchanged at the level fixed in 2002, i.e. US$150 per week. The Committee recalls its 2009 general observation in which it pointed out that the periodic review and adjustment of minimum wage rates is an absolute prerequisite to the meaningful operation of any minimum wage system. The creation and maintenance of the machinery for wage fixing is the necessary precursor and an indispensable requirement. The Committee accordingly asks the Government to provide additional information on any consideration given to the possibility of establishing any institutional framework which would be responsible for reviewing and readjusting from time to time minimum wage rates.

Article 3. Consultation with the social partners. The Committee had previously noted that the revision of the minimum wage legislation was expected to be addressed at a future session of the Tripartite Forum (TRIFOR), and had asked the Government to keep the Office informed of all developments regarding the revision of the Minimum Wages Act of 2002 and the outcome of tripartite consultations on the possible ratification of the Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131). The Committee notes that the Government is still not in a position to indicate any progress in these matters. The Committee therefore requests the Government to continue to provide information on all future developments regarding the revision of the minimum wage system, including any progress made by the TRIFOR Committee concerning the amendment of the Minimum Wages Act.

Article 5 and Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide up-to-date information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, including the number of workers remunerated at the minimum wage rate, extracts from inspection reports indicating any infringements of the minimum wage legislation and copies of official studies addressing minimum wage policy issues.