Social Policy (Basic Aims and Standards) Convention, 1962 (No. 117) - Guatemala (Ratification: 1989)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. With reference to the initiatives adopted to ensure that the improvement of standards of living is the principal objective of economic development, the Government indicates that the “K’atun National Development Plan: Our Guatemala 2032” is the long-term national development policy around which the related plans, programmes, projects and investments are articulated. The Committee notes that the main components of the Plan include the so-called “Wealth for All”, which sets out the basic action to improve the standards of living of the population of Guatemala through the promotion of economic development, the establishment of the conditions to encourage current and potential dynamic economic production to facilitate access to sources of quality employment and self-employment and income to meet the individual and family needs of the population. The Government adds that the country has made significant efforts to meet around 44 per cent of the targets set out in the framework of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Agenda 2000–15, including those relating to the reduction of infant mortality and overall malnutrition, the increase in adult literacy, and educational parity at the various levels, including the university level. The Government further reports the adoption of the General Government Policy 2016–20, which is focused on the promotion of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), tourism, housing and quality decent work. With reference to the promotion of MSMEs, the Government indicates that the General Government Policy establishes specific targets for 2019, namely an increase of 4 per cent in bank loans for small enterprises and of 3 per cent in micro-credit. With regard to the labour market, the Committee notes the targets for 2019 adopted in the General Government Policy to improve the labour market, namely: the gradual reduction of the unemployment rate, the progressive reduction of the rate of informal employment, a progressive lowering of the rate of underemployment, the progressive increase in the proportion of women in paid non-agricultural employment and a progressive reduction in the proportion of the active population living in extreme poverty. The Government indicates that in 2016 and 2017 all these targets were met as envisaged, with the exception of the target for the reduction of the proportion of the active population living in poverty. The Committee also notes the specific policies adopted by the Government with a view to improving the quality of life of the population, and particularly: the National Competitiveness Policy 2018–32, with the objectives of aligning social needs with productivity, increasing the skills of the workforce and creating greater opportunities for economic and social development for the population of Guatemala; the National Quality Employment Policy 2017–32, to generate employment, human capital and a conducive environment for enterprise development and the transition to formality; the National Policy for the Development of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs); the Energy Policy 2013-27; the National Entrepreneurship Policy “Business Guatemala”; and the National Policy for the Development of Sustainable Tourism in Guatemala 2012–22. The Committee also notes the Economic Policy 2016–21, designed to increase public and private investment by improving its efficiency, increasing productivity and competitiveness and generating quality employment. The Policy includes an immediate recovery plan, based on investment in urban infrastructure and in strategic sectors. The Committee further notes the Guatemala Integrated Foreign Trade, Competitiveness and Investment Policy, which is designed to attract productive investment and increase and diversify trade, increase the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in foreign trade, optimize the trade and investment agreements negotiated and promote the production of goods for export and their adaptation to new international market trends. It also notes the Methodological Guide for the preparation of plans for municipal development and land planning, with the support of the Planning and Programming Secretariat of the Office of the President (SEGEPLAN), which will offer municipal authorities a management tool to programme short-, medium- and long-term interventions as a means of promoting change in the living conditions of the population. The Committee further notes the data provided by the Government on public investment in productive infrastructure during the period 2013–17, and principally investment allocated and implemented in the transport and infrastructure sector. Finally, the Committee notes the Act on school meals, adopted by Legislative Decree No. 16/2017, which has the objective of promoting the health and healthy food for children and young persons attending public and private schools. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing detailed and updated information on the initiatives undertaken with a view to ensuring that the “improvement of living standards” is regarded as “the principal objective in the planning of economic development” (Article 2 of the Convention), and information on their outcome, including statistical data disaggregated by sex, age and region of the country.

Article 4. Promotion of the productive capacity and improvement of the standards of living of agricultural producers. The Government reports the adoption of the Strategic Agenda 2012–25 of the Land Fund, of which the objective for 2025 is to facilitate the access to land of 784,764 families over a total of 1,333,300 hectares. The Government indicates that the Agenda has four components: access to land for comprehensive and sustainable development, the regularization of State land adjudication procedures, the development of Sustainable Agrarian Communities and institutional strengthening in response to social aspirations and legal mandates, supported by transversal components to strengthen the action taken. The Government reports that between 2014 and 2017, the Land Fund provided credits for the leasing of land for the development of productive projects intended to guarantee food security for 211,125 families, covering 19,139 hectares, which represents 4 and 1.44 per cent, respectively, of the strategic objectives indicated above in terms of the beneficiary families and the number of hectares. The Committee notes that the beneficiaries of the programme lay emphasis on the opportunity to increase their production capacity by using the subsidy to buy better seeds or chemical or organic fertilizers. The Government also reports on the implementation of the State Land Regularization Programme, as part of the second component of the Strategic Agenda 2012–25, to formalize the granting and use of State lands, through the granting of the respective legal title. It indicates that the strategic objective of the programme is to issue 33,440 public land titles by 2025. The Committee notes that between 2014 and the first quarter of 2018, some 5,942 individual land titles and 174 collective land titles were issued. The Committee also notes the information provided by the Government on the titles issued, disaggregated by year, department and the gender of the beneficiary. The Committee further notes the information provided by the Government on the results of the programmes implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food between 2015 and 2017, disaggregated by the gender and linguistic community of the beneficiaries. Finally, with reference to legislative matters, the Committee notes the texts approved to ensure the improvement of the standards of living of agricultural producers in Guatemala, including: Legislative Decree No. 19/2014, adopting the Act on plant protection and rights; Legislative Decree No. 2/2015, adopting the Act to promote the establishment, recovery, restoration, management, production and protection of forests in Guatemala (PROBOSQUE); Legislative Decree No. 5/2016, issuing the Act on education subsidies in marginal and rural areas; and Legislative Decree No. 19/2016, reforming the Act on the promotion and development of exports and the maquila, approved by Decree No. 29-89 of the Congress of the Republic. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the Government initiatives adopted to increase the production capacity and improve the standards of living of agricultural producers. It requests the Government to include in its next report detailed information, including statistics disaggregated by sex, age and department, on the results of these initiatives.

Article 5. Minimum standards of living. The Committee notes the concluding observations of 9 December 2014 of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, in which it regrets the alarming level of poverty in rural areas, despite the establishment of the Rural Development Cabinet and the adoption of a plan of action targeting rural populations living in poverty. It also expressed concern about the limited budget allocated to the Ministry of Social Development and the limited number of families benefiting from the Mi bono seguro programme. Moreover, and despite the measures taken by the Government, the Committee regrets the number of cases of acute malnutrition in children under the age of five, which continues to be alarmingly high (E/C.2/GTM/CO/3, paragraphs 20 and 21). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the official inquiries into living conditions that have been conducted or are planned after consultation with the representative organizations of employers and workers, in accordance with Article 5(1) of the Convention, and whether account has been taken of “such family needs of the workers as food and its nutritive value, housing, clothing, medical care and education” in “ascertaining the minimum standards of living”, in accordance with Article 5(2) of the Convention.

Part IV. Remuneration of workers. In its 2013 direct request, the Committee once again requested the Government to provide examples of collective agreements containing provisions on advances on wages. In this regard, the Government indicates that, based on an analysis of 86 collective labour agreements, it emerges that it is mainly private enterprises that provide for this economic benefit in their respect professional rules, for which reason the conditions and arrangements for the granting of advances on wages differ in each case. The Government refers to the professional rules of the Collective Agreement on Working Conditions of the municipal authorities of San Francisco el Alto, in the Department of Totonicapán, and the Collective Agreement on the Terms and Conditions of the Hospital Enterprise, Medical Centre, among others, in which the amounts and the conditions are set out for the granting of advances on wages. The Committee refers once again to section 99 of the Labour Code, which provides that: “Debts that the worker contracts with the employer [in relation to advances on wages…] shall be paid back in full, over a minimum of five pay periods, except when the worker voluntarily pays them back over a shorter period.” The Committee understands that certain provisions of the professional rules referred to by the Government are not in compliance with the provisions of section 99 of the Labour Code, such as in the professional rules of the Collective Agreement on Terms and Conditions of Work of the Coffee Industries Enterprise Ltd, clause 86 of which establishes that the worker shall pay back the advance received “over a period of not more than four weeks”. The Committee draws the Government’s attention to Article 12 of the Convention, which requires the competent authority to take measures to: (i) regulate the maximum amounts and manner of repayment of advances on wages; (ii) limit the amount of advances which may be made to a worker in consideration of her or him taking up employment, and that the amount of advances permitted are clearly explained to the worker; and (iii) provide that any advance in excess of the amount laid down by the competent authority is legally irrecoverable and may not be recovered by the withholding of amounts of pay due to the worker at a later date. In its previous comments, the Committee also requested the Government to indicate whether courts of law had made rulings on the matters covered by Article 12 of the Convention. In this regard, the Government reports that specific information is not available on whether any of the rulings are related to the matters covered by Article 12. The Committee once again emphasizes the importance of ensuring that full effect is given to Article 12 of the Convention and requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted or envisaged to give effect in practice to Article 12 of the Convention, as well as updated information on court rulings on the matters covered by Article 12 of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in August 2013, which emphasizes the measures taken to address agrarian debt. It is planned to reduce the debt of rural workers through the purchase of land and the reactivation of production. The Committee notes the Special Land Leasing Programme and the deeds granted under the State Land Regularization Programme. The Committee also notes the adoption of a National Comprehensive Development Policy and the approval of the 2011–15 Agricultural and Farming Policy. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) is developing the “Family farming programme for the strengthening of the rural economy” (PAFFEC 2012–15). The PAFFEC components that are currently being implemented are those aimed at: a sustainable increase in family production for food security, access to markets and inclusion in value chains, and institutional development for family agriculture. The Committee once again invites the Government to include in its next report an updated summary of the results obtained and the initiatives taken to ensure that “the improvement of standards of living” is regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development (Article 2 of the Convention). The Committee also invites the Government to continue providing information on the government initiatives adopted to improve the standards of living of agricultural producers and to include information in its next report on the results achieved by these initiatives, and by the initiatives aimed at increasing productive capacity (Article 4).

Part IV. Remuneration of workers. In its previous comments, the Committee expressed its interest in the provisions relating to advances on wages in the collective agreements sent by the Government, including regulations on the maximum amounts and manner of repayment of advances on wages (Article 12(1) of the Convention). The Committee once again invites the Government to include in its next report examples of collective agreements which contain provisions respecting advances on wages. Please also indicate whether courts of law have issued decisions on the subjects covered by Article 12 of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the comments of the Indigenous and Rural Workers’ Trade Union Movement of Guatemala (MSICG), which were forwarded to the Government in September 2011. The MSICG indicates that 52 per cent of the population is living in poverty and 15.5 per cent in extreme poverty. In May 2009, a national integrated rural development policy was adopted which will be implemented until 2015 and includes a strategic social policy component intended to eradicate racism, exclusion and marginalization. The MSICG deplores the concentration of land ownership as an indicator of inequality in the country, the low quality of education and teaching and the persistence of poverty among the indigenous population. The Committee refers to its 2008 observation and requests the Government to provide updated information in its next report to enable it to examine the manner in which it is ensured that “the improvement of standards of living” has been regarded as “the principal objective in the planning of economic development” (Article 2). The Committee also asks the Government to provide information on the results achieved by government plans and the manner in which productive capacity has been increased and the standards of living of agricultural producers improved (Article 4).

Part IV. Wages. Advances on the remuneration of workers. In its previous comments, the Committee asked the Government to provide copies of collective agreements containing provisions respecting advances on wages. In September 2011, the Government provided copies of nine collective agreements approved in 2008 and 2009. The Committee notes with interest that the provisions examined in the collective agreements respecting advances on wages set out regulations on the maximum amounts and manner of repayment of advances on wages (Article 12(1)) of the Convention. The Committee invites the Government to provide with its next report copies of collective agreements which contain provisions respecting advances on wages. Please also indicate whether courts of law have issued decisions on the subjects covered by Article 12 of the Convention.

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

Part IV. Wages. Advances on the remuneration of workers. In reply to a direct request made in 2008, the Government sent a list in September 2009 of collective agreements/accords approved between August 2008 and July 2009. The Government also attached to its report the decisions approving nine collective agreements. Consequently, the Committee has not been able to note the content of the approved collective agreements. In its previous direct request the Committee noted that, under Decision No. 5-2007 of 9 January 2007, provisions in the collective agreements had been approved allowing a company to grant advances on wages, the amount of which was based on the following scale: (1) workers with between six months’ and one year’s service may receive an advance of up to 40 per cent of their monthly wages; (2) workers with more than one year but less than two years’ service, up to 80 per cent of their monthly wages; (3) workers with between two and three years’ service, up to 100 per cent of their monthly wages; and (4) workers with three years’ service or more, up to 200 per cent of their monthly wages. Other collective agreements had limited advances to the equivalent of five months’ wages to be paid off over two years or to 45 days’ wages in predefined cases, or to advances on wages repayable within 12 months for the purchase of vehicles. The Committee again refers to section 99 of the Labour Code, which provides that “debts contracted by the worker with the employer [by way of advances on wages] … shall be repaid until their extinction over a minimum of five instalments, except where the worker, voluntarily, repays within a shorter period”. The Committee understands that certain provisions of the approved agreements do not appear to comply with the provisions of section 99 of the Labour Code. For its part, Article 12(1) of the Convention requires that the competent authority take measures to: (1) regulate the maximum amounts and manner of repayment of advances on wages; (2) limit the amount of advances which may be made to a worker in consideration of his taking up employment and explain to the worker clearly the amount of advances permitted; and (3) declare legally irrecoverable any advance in excess of the amount laid down by the competent authority and prevent the advance from being recovered by the withholding of amounts of pay due to the worker at a later date. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the collective agreements approved between August 2008 and July 2009 contain provisions concerning advances on wages. If so, the Committee requests the Government to supply copies of those collective agreements/accords. The Committee again emphasizes the importance of ensuring that full effect is given to Article 12 of the Convention.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2011.]

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

Part IV. Wages. Advances on the remuneration of workers. In its previous request, the Committee asked the Government to provide information on any court decisions or administrative decisions that have applied the provisions of Article 12 of the Convention. In its report received in September 2008, the Government includes a note from the Supreme Court of Justice indicating that no cases have been brought before the labour courts in connection with Article 12 of the Convention. Furthermore, the Government indicates that the normal way in which efforts are made to regulate advances on the remuneration of workers is through the provisions of collective agreements on working conditions. The Government appended to the report four collective agreements on working conditions which were negotiated and concluded by employers and trade unions and approved by the Ministry of Labour. The Committee notes that, under Resolution No. 5-2007 of 9 January 2007, a provision has been approved allowing the company to grant advances on wages the total of which are based on the following scale: (1) workers with between six months’ and one year’s service may receive an advance of up to 40 per cent of their monthly salary; (2) workers with more than one year but less than two years’ service, up to 80 per cent of their monthly salary; (3) workers with two years’, but less than three years’, service, up to 100 per cent of their monthly salary; (4) workers with three years’ service or more, up to 200 per cent of their monthly salary. Other collective agreements have limited advances to the equivalent of five months’ wages to be paid off over two years or to 45 days’ wages in predefined cases, or to advances on wages repayable within 12 months for the purchase of vehicles. The Committee refers to section 99 of the Labour Code, which provides that “Debts contracted by the worker with the employer [by way of advances on wages]… shall be repaid until their extinction, over a minimum of five instalments, except where the worker, voluntarily, repays within a shorter period”. The Committee understands that certain provisions of the approved agreements do not appear to comply with the provisions of section 99 of the Labour Code. For its part, Article 12, paragraph 1, of the Convention requires that the competent authority take measures to (1) regulate the maximum amounts and manner of repayment of advances on wages; (2) limit the amount of advances which may be made to a worker in consideration of his taking up employment and explain to the worker clearly the amount of advances permitted; and (3) declare legally irrecoverable any advance in excess of the amount laid down by the competent authority and prevent the advance from being recovered by the withholding of amounts of pay due to the worker at a later date. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the provisions of the Labour Code, examples of collective agreements and judicial decisions which give full effect to Article 12 of the Convention.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2009.]

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the detailed information provided in the report received in September 2008, which includes a very descriptive document from the Ministry of Economy on the Government’s plans for 2008–12. Four strategic programmes stand out in the following areas: solidarity, governance, productivity and regionalism. To strengthen productive activity, an emergency plan has been established for the production of staple grains, leasing of land and the delivery of fertilizers at subsidized prices. Furthermore, the Government intends to devise an agricultural policy to meet the needs of domestic consumption and to market surpluses abroad. The Government has also communicated the main features of policy relating to monetary, foreign exchange and credit matters approved by the Bank of Guatemala. The Committee welcomes the information received and requests the Government to continue preparing reports on the application of the Convention, which will enable it to examine the manner in which it is ensured that “the improvement of standards of living” has been regarded as “the principal objective in the planning of economic development” (Article 2 of the Convention). Please specify whether the objectives set out in the Government’s plan for 2008–12 have been achieved and whether measures to promote productive capacity and improve the standards of living of agricultural producers have been successful (Article 4).

Part IV. Wages. In a direct request, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on the manner in which it ensures the application of Article 12 of the Convention on advances on the remuneration of workers.

Part VI. Education and training. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the courses offered by the Technical Institute for Training and Productivity (INTECAP). The Committee refers to the comments on the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) with regard to matching the education and training offered with employment policies.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

1. In its 2003 direct request, the Committee referred to the observations made by the Trade Union Confederation of Guatemala (UNSITRAGUA) which were transmitted to the Government on 8 October 2003. In these observations, the workers’ organization had expressed its concern regarding the general situation and the social policy, without giving any precise indications of the de facto and de jure elements directly linked to the application of the Convention in Guatemala.

2. Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. In the simplified report received in August 2003, the Government presented information relating to the request made in 1999. The Government provided information on the integral strategy being followed to stimulate rural development. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would include in its next report an up to date appreciation on the manner in which it ensures that the “improvement of standards of living” is regarded as “the principal objective in the planning of economic development” (Article 2 of the Convention) and particularly if it would provide information on the results achieved in promoting production capacity and improving standards of living of agricultural producers (Article 4).

3. Part IV. Remuneration of workers. Advances on wages. The Government refers to section 99 of the Labour Code, indicating in its report that legally there is no fixing of wage amounts: there is no set amount – the amount paid for advances on wages is set at the convenience of the employer and the worker, and repayments are made in accordance with what has been agreed upon between the parties. The Committee refers to the provisions of Article 12, paragraph 2, of the Convention, which require the competent authority to limit the amount of advances which may be made to a worker in consideration of his taking up employment. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on any court decisions or administrative decisions that have applied the provisions mentioned in Article 12 of the Convention.

4. Part VI. Education and training. In reply to previous comments, the Government refers to article 74 of the Political Constitution, which establishes compulsory education and provides that citizens shall have the right and the obligation to receive initial, pre-primary, primary and basic education within the age limits fixed by the law. In its report, the Government does not specify the age limits fixed by national legislation to receive compulsory education: the Committee understands that the period of compulsory schooling has been set at nine years. In its comments on the application of the child labour Conventions, the Committee expressed its concern regarding the nature, extent and trends of child and adolescent labour. Consequently, the Committee asks the Government to provide information, in its next report on Convention No. 117, on the measures taken to progressively develop a broad system of education, vocational training and apprenticeship, and on how it has organized training in new techniques of production as part of social policy to give effect to the Convention (Articles 15 and 16).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

The Committee notes the Government’s report. The Committee also takes note of the observations made by the Trade Union Confederation of Guatemala (UNSITRAGUA) which were transmitted to the Government on 8 October 2003. The Committee will examine the Government’s report and the comments of the organization in detail at its next session and welcomes any additional information that the Government may wish to provide.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee notes the detailed information provided in the Government's report in reply to its previous comments.

Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee notes that the Government is promoting an integrated strategy of rural development in accordance with the agrarian structure and within the framework of the peace agreements and the Government's plan for 1996-2000. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on this subject.

Article 12. The Committee notes the Government's statement that the question of the regulation of the maximum amounts of advances on wages will be referred to the Tripartite Committee on International Labour Matters. The Committee hopes that the Government will provide information in its next report on the outcome of this consultation and that the necessary measures will be adopted to ensure that the national legislation establishes the maximum amount of advances on wages which may be made to a worker in consideration, among other questions, of taking up employment.

Article 15. The Committee notes the Government's statement that the Education Act does not establish age limits for compulsory education. Nevertheless, the Government hopes that such limits will be established when the regulations are issued under the above Act. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the above regulations as soon as they are adopted.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report, and requests it to supply further information on the following points.

Article 8 of the Convention. The Committee has already noted the Government's indication that a bilateral regional commission was established between Guatemala and Mexico to look into the problems arising from the temporary migration of Guatemalans to the south of the state of Chiapas, Mexico. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on the development of this commission as well as on any similar meetings with other countries including any agreements concluded concerning the migration of workers.

Article 12. The Committee notes the Government's repeated reference to section 99 of the Labour Code. It points out that, under this Article, the maximum amounts of advances on wages should be regulated, and requests the Government to indicate measures taken or envisaged to this end.

Article 15. The Committee notes that the Government mentions in its report the right and obligation to receive initial, pre-primary, primary and basic education within the age limit fixed by the law. It notes from the Government's report on the Convention on Minimum Age (No. 138) that no law has fixed the age of completion of compulsory education. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the practical application of this Article, including, for instance, extracts from official reports concerning education and training.

Article 16. The Committee notes that the Government again refers to the Technical Institute of Vocational Training (INTECAP), and requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the employers' and workers' organizations are consulted in respect of its activities for the organization of technical training.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report, in particular as regards Articles 6, 7, 9 and 13(2) of the Convention.

Article 8. The Committee notes the Government's indication that a bilateral regional commission was established between Guatemala and Mexico to look into the problems arising from the temporary migration of Guatemalans to the south of the state of Chiapas, Mexico. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on the development of this commission as well as on any similar meetings with other countries including any agreements concluded concerning the migration of workers.

Article 12. The Committee notes the Government's repeated reference to section 99 of the Labour Code. It points out that, under this Article, the maximum amounts of advances on wages should be regulated, and requests the Government to indicate measures taken or envisaged to this end.

Article 15. The Committee notes that the Government mentions in its report the right and obligation to receive initial, pre-primary, primary and basic education within the age limit fixed by the law. It requests the Government to indicate which law fixes the end of compulsory education and at what age. The Committee also requests the Government to supply information on the practical application of this Article, including, for instance, extracts from official reports concerning education and training.

Article 16. The Committee notes that the Government again refers to the Technical Institute of Training and Productivity (INTECAP), and requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the employers' and workers' organizations are consulted in respect of its activities for the organization of technical training.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the following matters raised in its previous direct request:

Articles 6 and 7. The Committee notes the Government's reference in the report to general policies aimed at the re-integration to the communities of displaced or repatriated population and refugees. It requests the Government to indicate whether any substantial volume of internal migration for employment exists, and if so, to supply information on measures taken to apply these provisions of the Convention;

Article 8. The Committee requests the Government to state whether it has been found necessary to enter into agreement with other countries for the purpose of regulating matters concerning migrant workers;

Article 9. The Committee notes the Government's reference to the minimum wage rate applicable to all the economic activities. It requests the Government to indicate whether account has been taken of the different cost of living by area;

Article 12. The Committee notes that, under the Labour Code of 1961 (Decree No. 1441), the manner of repayment of advances on wages is regulated (section 99), but the amount of advances does not appear to be limited. It requests the Government to indicate measures taken or envisaged to regulate the amounts of advances on wages;

Article 13, paragraph 2. The Committee requests the Government to indicate measures taken or contemplated to protect wage-earners and independent producers against usury, in accordance with this provision of the Convention;

Article 15. The Committee notes the Government's indication of such principles as freedom of education and the citizens' right and obligation of education. It requests the Government to supply more detailed information on the actual development of systems of education, in particular on the prescribed school-leaving age and its application in practice including, for instance, extracts from official reports;

Article 16. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the employers' and workers' organizations are consulted regarding the organization of technical training, in particular, in the activities of the Technical Institute of Training and Productivity (INTECAP).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

The Committee has noted the Government's first report. It requests the Government to supply further information on the following points:

Articles 6 and 7. The Committee notes the Government's reference in the report to general policies aimed at the re-integration to the communities of displaced or repatriated population and refugees. It requests the Government to indicate whether any substantial volume of internal migration for employment exists, and if so, to supply information on measures taken to apply these provisions of the Convention;

Article 8. The Committee requests the Government to state whether it has been found necessary to enter into agreement with other countries for the purpose of regulating matters concerning migrant workers;

Article 9. The Committee notes the Government's reference to the minimum wage rate applicable to all the economic activities. It requests the Government to indicate whether account has been taken of the different cost of living by area;

Article 12. The Committee notes that, under the Labour Code of 1961 (Decree No. 1441), the manner of repayment of advances on wages is regulated (section 99), but the amount of advances does not appear to be limited. It requests the Government to indicate measures taken or envisaged to regulate the amounts of advances on wages;

Article 13, paragraph 2. The Committee requests the Government to indicate measures taken or contemplated to protect wage-earners and independent producers against usury, in accordance with this provision of the Convention;

Article 15. The Committee notes the Government's indication of such principles as freedom of education and the citizens' right and obligation of education. It requests the Government to supply more detailed information on the actual development of systems of education, in particular on the prescribed school-leaving age and its application in practice including, for instance, extracts from official reports;

Article 16. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the employers' and workers' organizations are consulted regarding the organization of technical training, in particular, in the activities of the Technical Institute of Training and Productivity (INTECAP).