Demande directe (CEACR) - adoptée 2007, publiée 97ème session CIT (2008)

Convention (n° 26) sur les méthodes de fixation des salaires minima, 1928 - Bélarus (Ratification: 1993)

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report.

Article 3, paragraph 2(2), of the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the terms of reference of the National Council on Labour and Social Issues (NCLSI), which ensures the cooperation between the Government and the largest associations of employers and trade unions in implementing social policy and protecting citizens’ labour rights. It also notes that consultations refer, among others, to issues relating to the payment of wages, including the revision of the minimum wage. While bearing in mind the most serious outstanding problems concerning the membership of this consultative body, as referred to in the Committee’s latest observation on the application of Convention No. 87 and also in paragraph 44 of the 341st Report of the Committee on Freedom of Association, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide concrete information on the activities of the NCLSI, especially with reference to the determination of minimum wage levels.

Article 4, paragraph 1. In response to its previous comment on this point, the Committee notes the Government’s explanations that the publicity of the minimum wage rates is ensured not only by publishing them in the Official Gazette and selected newspapers no later than five days after they are approved, but also by disseminating the relevant information in print and electronic forms through the National Legal Information Centre, the publications or databases of state public libraries, the broadcast on all the central television channels and on the National Legal Internet Portal, or by phone through the information services of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, labour committees and the municipal and district Labour and Social Protection Directorates.

Article 5 of the Convention and Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that, by virtue of Presidential Ordinance No. 54 of 28 January 2006, the minimum monthly wage currently stands at 156,900 Belarus roubles (approximately US$73) and the minimum hourly wage at 930 Belarus roubles (approximately US$0.43). It also notes that these rates are the same for workers in all branches and sectors. It would appreciate if the Government could continue to provide information on the practical application of the Convention, including, for instance, statistical information on the size of the workforce covered by the minimum wage legislation or on the evolution of the minimum wage rate as compared to the evolution of the minimum consumer budget in recent years, official documents on the operation of the minimum wage-fixing machinery such as the annual report of the NCLSI, extracts from reports of the labour inspection services showing the number and nature of any violations observed and sanctions imposed, etc.