Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

Article 3 of the Convention. Adjustment of minimum wages. The Committee notes with interest that the guaranteed minimum interoccupational wage (SMIG) was readjusted in May and December 2004, as well as in January 2006. It notes in this respect that the SMIG was 775.15 CFP francs (or around 6.50 euros) an hour on 1 January 2006. It further notes the Government’s indication that it has embarked upon a specific policy to increase the minimum wage accompanied by measures to prevent inflation in the context of a programme entitled Te Autaeaeraa (solidarity), and that the SMIG was due to be raised once again in January 2007 and again in January 2008. The Committee requests the Government to provide all the additional information available on the implementation of the Te Autaeaeraa programme.

Article 4, paragraph 3(a). Consultation of employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in reply to its previous comment that the Commission on the Retail Price Index no longer exists. It further notes that, under the terms of section 24 of resolution No. 91-5 of 17 January 1991 respecting wages, it is compulsory to consult the Economic, Social and Cultural Council where the planned adjustment of the SMIG is initiated by the Government and is unrelated to an automatic adjustment triggered by a 2 per cent price rise.

Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the Government’s indications that the supervision carried out following the latest increase in the SMIG showed that it had been applied correctly by all enterprises. It also notes that over one third of all employed persons covered by the Social Insurance Fund are paid either at the rate of the SMIG or at a slightly higher rate. It requests the Government to continue providing a general appreciation on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice including, for instance, extracts from the reports of the inspection services following supervision of the compliance of the minimum wage legislation. The Committee also notes the indications provided by the Government in its report according to which any observations made by the representative organizations of employers and workers will be forwarded in the near future, accompanied by the summary of the tripartite meeting during which the report is presented. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the summary of this tripartite meeting, as well as any observations made by employers’ and workers’ organizations on this subject.