Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 (No. 26) - Burundi (Ratification: 1963)

The committee notes the observations of the Trade Union Confederation of Burundi (COSYBU), received on 29 August 2022.

Article 3 of the Convention. Operation of the minimum wage-fixing machinery. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes that the Government indicates in its report that the guaranteed inter-occupational minimum wage (SMIG) is currently under revision, and that an independent consultant has already been engaged to conduct an analysis of the evolution of the socio-economic situation. That analysis will be taken as a reference to fix the criteria for updating the SMIG and will provide a document containing the criteria for fixing the new SMIG. It further notes that the COSYBU indicates in its observations that the tripartite committee has just adopted the final report of the study conducted into updating the SMIG and that the next stages are its examination by the National Labour Council and by the Government. The COSYBU also indicates that the minimum wages applicable by category as fixed by collective agreements in the various branches of activity or in enterprises have not yet been fixed. The Committee observes with regret that, despite the steps taken to reactivate the minimum wage review process, the SMIG has not been readjusted since 1988 and minimum wages applicable by category through collective agreements in branches of activity or in enterprises have not yet been fixed. Therefore, the Committee again urges the Government to take the necessary steps to readjust the SMIG without delay, in consultation with the workers’ and employers’ organizations concerned so as to ensure that new minimum rates of wages are fixed for workers employed in certain trades in which no arrangements exist for the effective regulation of wages by collective agreements or otherwise and wages are exceptionally low. It also requests the Government to provide information on the minimum wages applicable by category in the various branches of activity or in enterprises, including home working trades, once these have been fixed by collective agreement.