Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

1. The Committee notes the comments made by the World Confederation of Labour on the application of the Convention by Venezuela. The WCL alleges that the employees of the penal judiciary have been obliged, since the reform of the system in 1998, to work two hours longer per day without being compensated by the increase in wages.

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government to the effect that, following the entry into force of the Organic Code of Penal Procedures, the work schedules within the penal judiciary had to be modified. Because of this and on the basis of the collective agreements in force as well as of the decision of the Magistrates Council, the shifts ("turnos") were established respecting the number of hours (seven hours) of work. In addition, compensatory payments (equivalent to 30 per cent of hourly wages) are granted to those who carry out their work at certain shifts. The Committee notes the above information.

2. Further to its previous observation, the Committee requests the Government to supply information on the application in practice of the provisions of the Organic Labour Act amended in 1997. It also asks the Government to respond in its next report to the points raised in the request which is addressed directly to it.