Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Lebanon

Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 (No. 95) (Ratification: 1977)
Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131) (Ratification: 1977)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of the ratified Conventions on wages, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 131 (minimum wage) and 95 (protection of wages) together.

The Committee notes the observations of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (CGTL) on the application of those Conventions, communicated with the Government’s report.

Minimum wage

Articles 3 and 4 of Convention No. 131. Minimum wage-fixing machinery. Method of operation and consultations with the social partners. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the indication of the Government in its report concerning the revision of the minimum wage rate in 2023, which was increased to 9,000,000 Lebanese pounds (US$100). The Committee also takes due note of the Government’s indication that, since 2021, the tripartite Committee on the cost-of-living index has resumed its work after years of inactivity. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to adjust the minimum wage from time to time. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the functioning of the Committee on the cost-of-living index in the adjustment of the minimum wage rate.

Protection of wages

Article 2 of Convention No. 95. Scope of application. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that the draft Labour Code includes in its scope domestic workers as well as permanent and seasonal agricultural wage earners. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the progress achieved regarding the adoption of the Labour Code.

Articles 4 and 6. Partial payment of wages in kind and Freedom of workers to dispose of their wages. The Committee takes due note that, according to the Government, the draft Labour Code includes a section providing that, upon agreement to pay a portion of the remuneration in kind, such portion shall be appropriate for the personal use and benefit of the worker and his family and shall not exceed 15 per cent of the value of the basic wage. The Committee welcomes the Government’s indication that the draft Labour Code includes a section providing that employers are prohibited from restricting the freedom of wage earners to dispose of their wages in any form. Noting that these provisions would give effect to Articles 4 and 6 of the Convention, the Committee requests to Government to continue providing information on the adoption of the Labour Code.

Article 12(2). Final settlement upon termination. The Committee takes due note of the Government’s indication that, in cases where termination is initiated by the employer, the draft Labour Code proposes to include a provision providing that final wages and entitlements shall be paid the day after the termination of the employment contract. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the progress achieved regarding the adoption of the Labour Code.

Article 15. Effective application and enforcement. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes that the CGTL reiterates its observations that there has been a failure to implement the Convention in practice, including with regard to deductions of wages by the employer and a failure to pay social security contributions. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in respect of those observations, and to indicate the measures taken to ensure the application in practice of provisions on the protection of wages.