Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

The Committee notes that, in response to the previous comments made by the Confederation of Uruguayan Workers (PIT-CNT), the Government indicates in its report that the draft Act on distribution of hours of work has not been adopted by the Parliament and that no such draft Act is currently being studied. It also notes the new observations made by the PIT-CNT, according to which at the beginning of the year in Uruguay, there was a change of government and a consequent shift in employment relations, with significant emphasis being placed upon tripartism. The PIT-CNT also indicates that, wage councils in all branches of activities, which, in the first instance, among other things, set rules on the duration of hours of work, have been convened since 2 May 2005. The Confederation states that it is waiting to see how the dialogue mechanisms in which it is participating develop, whilst reserving the right to report to the Committee any progress or setbacks in the application of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of any developments with regard to the regulation of the duration of hours of work.

Moreover, the Committee notes that, in its observations, the PIT-CNT reports systematic shortcomings in the application of the Convention, due in particular to the lack of human and material resources affecting the labour inspection services. It also notes the statistical data relating to the activities of these services that the Government has attached to its report. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the steps taken to strengthen the labour inspection services in order to ensure that the provisions of the Convention are respected in practice.