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

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report, particularly that the current revision of the Labour Code also includes the adjustment of the national minimum wage. It also notes the Government’s statement that the modalities of the technical assistance which might be needed for the preparation of a study relating to the adjustment of minimum wages will be brought to the knowledge of the Office. In this respect, the Committee wishes to recall the importance of periodically revising the level of minimum wages with a view to ensuring a decent standard of living for low-paid workers. Otherwise, the minimum wage system would risk becoming a pure formality and losing its relevance as a tool for combating poverty and promoting social protection. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on all measures taken in this respect and to transmit copies of any newly adopted texts.

In addition, the Committee notes the information concerning the number of workers covered by the Convention (60,000 workers in the industrial enterprises, including day workers) as well as the indication that most of the infringements identified by the labour inspection services are brought before the courts for litigation. It also notes the information on the determination of the minimum interoccupational guaranteed wage (SMIG) in the private sector by reference to the minimum pay rate prevailing in the construction sector, which is set at 1,500 Burundian francs (approximately US$1.5) per day in Bujumbura, and 700 Burundian francs (approximately US$0.7) per day everywhere else, by virtue of an unwritten sectoral collective agreement. The Committee also notes that the national inter-professional collective agreement of 3 April 1980, as well as different enterprise agreements establish seniority bonuses and merit supplements which allow for a pay rise of about 7 per cent per year in the enterprises. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide general information on the practical application of the Convention or any other official document concerning the functioning of the minimum wage fixing machinery.