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

1. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information in the Government's report, in particular concerning the application of Article 7 of the Convention, which indicates that no measures have been considered necessary to control employer stores and services under section 31 of the Protection of Wages Act of 1973, since no such practice has been known. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would include, in its future reports, information on any change in the situation in this regard.

2. Article 4. In reply to the Committee's comments, the Government indicates that the definition of the term "wages" and the restriction under section 23(2) of the Protection of Wages Act, under which the cash value of allowance in kind may not exceed one-third of the wages, provide adequate safeguards regarding allowances in kind. It also states that allowances in kind are always provided as a bonus without reducing the wages, statutory or fixed or approved by the trade unions. The Committee nevertheless hopes that appropriate measures will be taken at a suitable occasion to ensure that payment in the form of allowances in kind is limited to industries or occupations where it is customary or desirable, that, where authorized, such allowances are appropriate for the personal use and benefit of the worker and his or her family and that the value of such allowances is fair and reasonable. It asks the Government to indicate any measures taken to this end.