Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

The Committee notes the explanations provided by the Government in reply to its previous comments. It notes, in particular, that the Government is in the process of finalizing the text of the new draft Labour Code incorporating also the technical comments prepared by the International Labour Office. The Committee hopes that the revision of the Labour Code will be completed shortly and asks the Government to forward a copy of the new legislation as soon as it is adopted.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Coverage and binding force of the minimum wage. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s indication that, under the new draft Labour Code prepared by the tripartite committee set up by virtue of Order No. 210/1 of 21 December 2000, the minimum wage will be applicable to all male and female workers who have reached 18 years of age, as contrasted to 20 years of age provided for in the legislation currently in force. The Committee notes, however, that no progress has been made as regards the broadening of the scope of the minimum wage legislation in order to cover domestic and agricultural workers on which the Committee has been commenting for a number of years. The Committee understands that foreign domestic workers in particular are often victims of abusive labour practices, including the non-payment of wages or payment of unfairly low wages, and would therefore appear to be most in need of protection in respect of permissible pay rates. Recalling that in its previous report the Government had indicated that the new draft Labour Code provided for special regulations to be issued in respect of domestic and agricultural workers, the Committee requests the Government to communicate detailed information on any developments in this regard.

Articles 3 and 4. Review and adjustment of minimum wages. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the Council of Ministers determine the minimum wage upon receiving a report prepared by a tripartite committee on the cost of living index. The Government adds that the role of that tripartite committee on the cost of living index is restricted to the collection of data and statistics on the evolution of the cost of living and price fluctuations. In fact, under section 2 of Order No. 426 of 8 August 1981 establishing the tripartite committee on the cost of living index, this consultative body is only responsible for studying the evolution of prices, monitoring the rise in the cost of living and making proposals and recommendations to limit price rises and the high cost of living. The Committee observes, in this respect, that the Convention requires full consultations with and direct participation of the social partners at all stages of the minimum wage fixing process, which necessarily implies that representative organizations of employers and workers concerned should be given a genuine opportunity to express their views on minimum wage levels and possible pay increases. It accordingly asks the Government to specify how it is ensured in law and practice that the participation of employers’ and workers’ organizations in the operation of the minimum wage fixing machinery is not limited to data collection and that these organizations are duly consulted on the actual readjustment of minimum pay levels.

In addition, the Committee notes that the Government approved in September 2008 the increase of the monthly minimum wage from 300,000 Lebanese pounds (LBP) to LBP500,000 (approximately US$333). In this connection, it understands that the General Labour Confederation (GLC) recently campaigned for the minimum wage to be raised to LBP960,000 (approximately US$645) considering that from 2006 to 2007 the cost of living has increased by 15 per cent, and also that 40 per cent of the population experience difficulties as they are confronted with stagnating income and prices of most commodities that have tripled in the same period. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the legal text establishing the new monthly minimum wage. It would also appreciate receiving additional information concerning the factors which were taken into consideration in readjusting the minimum wage and the form and content of any consultations that may have been held with the social partners to this end.

Article 5 and Part V of the report form. The Committee would appreciate if the Government would continue to supply up to date information on the practical application of the Convention, including, for instance, the approximate number of workers remunerated at the minimum wage rate, comparative statistics on the evolution of minimum wage and the consumer price index in recent years, extracts from reports of the labour inspection services showing the number of infringements of the minimum wage legislation observed and sanctions imposed, copies of official documents or studies on minimum wage policy, etc.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s detailed report in reply to previous comments.

Article 1, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the Convention. The Committee has been raising for a number of years the question of extending minimum wage protection to domestic workers and workers in the agricultural sector who are currently excluded from the scope of application of the Labour Code and consequently also not covered by the decrees fixing minimum wages. According to the Government’s explanations, the draft legislation amending the Labour Code, which was prepared by a tripartite committee set up by virtue of Ministerial Order No. 210/1 of 21 December 2000, provides for special regulations to be issued in respect of these two categories of workers. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of further developments in this respect and to forward a copy of any new legal instrument as soon as it is adopted. In this connection, the Committee refers to paragraphs 79 and 86 of its General Survey of 1992 on minimum wages in which it took the view that since minimum wages constitute one of the more important elements which contribute to an improvement of the working and living conditions of workers, ratifying States should take the necessary measures to broaden the coverage of their minimum wage fixing systems and thereby offer workers more adequate protection. The Committee also recalls its general observation of 1985 concerning Convention No. 26 in which it had expressed the hope that governments would make every effort to extend the protection afforded by a system of minimum wages to workers in the home working trades in view of the particular vulnerability of those workers.

Article 2, paragraph 1. The Committee notes that the minimum wage was last revised by Decree No. 8733 of 8 July 1996 and is now fixed at 300,000 Lebanon pounds (or approximately US$200). It also notes that the minimum wage rate currently applies to all workers, covered by the Labour Code of 1946, who have reached 20 years of age whereas a draft amendment of Act No. 36/67 of 16 May 1967 relating to the fixing of minimum wages of employees and workers is now under consideration to make the minimum wage applicable to all workers above 18 years of age. In this respect, the Committee wishes to refer to paragraph 171 of its General Survey of 1992 on minimum wages in which it expressed the view that when provision is made for different minimum wage rates on the basis of criteria such as age, the principle of equal pay for equal value should be borne in mind and also that the quantity and quality of work carried out should be the decisive factor in determining the wage paid. The Committee asks the Government to keep providing information on further developments on this point.

Article 5 and Part V of the report form. While noting the Government’s statement that legal proceedings for non-observance of the legislation in respect of minimum wages are uncommon and that difficulties are rarely encountered in applying the provisions respecting minimum wages, the Committee requests the Government to continue to supply all available information regarding the effect given to the Convention in practice, including for instance statistics on the number and different categories of workers covered by relevant legislation, the minimum wage rates in force, extracts from annual reports or other published records of the Commission on the index of cost of living as well as any other particulars bearing on the functioning of the minimum wage fixing machinery.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government's report in reply to previous comments.

Article 1, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government's indication that the Code of Obligations and Contracts applies to domestic servants and workers in the agricultural sector and does not provide for the fixing of a minimum wage for those two categories of workers. The Committee notes with interest the Government's statement that the draft Act on Agricultural Workers, which is still under examination, provides in one of its sections that the provisions of the Decree on the minimum wage and the increase in the cost of living which are applicable to wage-earners subject to the Labour Code should be applied to the agricultural workers defined by this draft Act.

The Committee requests the Government to keep providing information on developments on this issue, and to communicate a copy of the Act on Agricultural Workers as soon as it is adopted. It also asks the Government to indicate the measures taken or contemplated to broaden the coverage of minimum wage regulations to domestic workers.

Article 2, paragraph 1, in conjunction with Article 5 and point V of the report form. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the application of the Convention in practice. It requests the Government to continue to communicate such types of information, including: (i) the minimum wage rates in force; (ii) the available data on the number and different categories of workers covered by minimum wage provisions; and (iii) the results of inspections carried out (e.g. the number of violations of minimum wage provisions revealed, the penalties imposed, etc.).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

The Committee notes the Government's reports. It notes the Government's indication that the latest Decree fixing the official minimum wages was promulgated on 15 September 1992, and requests the Government to supply a copy of this Decree.

Article 1, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the Convention. In its previous comments the Committee raised the question of the minimum wages for the workers such as domestic workers and workers in the agricultural sector, who are not covered by the Labour Code and who are consequently excluded from the scope of the Decrees fixing minimum wages. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the provisions of the Code of Obligations and Contracts, which are applicable to domestic workers and to agricultural enterprises according to the Government, and to indicate whether it includes provisions concerning the minimum wages. The Committee also recalls that the Government indicated in its 1991 report under article 19 of the Constitution on minimum wage Conventions that a commission had been established to examine the possibility of applying the Labour Code to the agricultural sector. It requests the Government to indicate any development in this regard.

Article 2, paragraph 2. Noting the Government's indication that collective agreements exist in all the banks and the oil companies, as well as in some weaving companies, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the number of workers in such sectors.

Article 4, paragraphs 2 and 3. The Committee notes the Government's indication that the Commission on the Index of Cost of Living established under Decree No. 4206 of 8 August 1991, examines the wage questions and submits the result to the Cabinet of Ministers which promulgates the Decree fixing the minimum wages as well as the rates of cost of living. It also notes that Decree No. 4206 provides for the tripartite composition of the above Commission. However, it is not clear from the Decree whether the Commission has the mandate to make a specific proposal concerning the fixing of minimum wages. The Committee therefore asks the Government to indicate whether the Decree of 15 September 1992 fixing the minimum wages was based on the proposal or recommendation of the Commission.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the following matters raised in its previous direct request:

Article 1, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the Convention. The Committee noted that Decree No. 3005 of 1980 fixing minimum wages applies to all workers under the coverage of the Labour Code. Please indicate the situation as regards minimum wages for workers excluded from coverage by sections 7 and 8 of the Labour Code, in particular, domestic workers and workers in the agricultural sector.

Article 2, paragraph 2. Please indicate the number and categories of workers, if any, whose wages are fixed by collective agreements.

Article 4, paragraphs 2 and 3. The Committee noted that section 45 of the Labour Code provides for minimum wage fixing by tripartite wage boards. Please indicate the measures taken to ensure consultation with and, where appropriate, participation of representative organizations of employers and workers, when minimum wages are fixed by decrees. In this connection, please specify the relation between the minimum wages and the index of high cost of living examined by the Commission established under Decree No. 4206 of 8 August 1981, to which the Government referred in its report submitted under article 19 of the Constitution.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It however notes the information supplied by the Government in accordance with article 19 of the Constitution of the ILO. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request on the following points:

Article 1, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the Convention. The Committee notes that Decree No. 3005 of 1980 fixing minimum wages applies to all workers under the coverage of the Labour Code. Please indicate the situation as regards minimum wages for workers excluded from coverage by sections 7 and 8 of the Labour Code, in particular, domestic workers and workers in the agricultural sector.

Article 2, paragraph 2. Please indicate the number and categories of workers, if any, whose wages are fixed by collective agreements.

Article 4, paragraphs 2 and 3. The Committee notes that section 45 of the Labour Code provides for minimum wage-fixing by tripartite wage boards. Please indicate the measures taken to ensure consultation with and, where appropriate, participation of representative organisations of employers and workers, when minimum wages are fixed by decrees. In this connection, please specify the relation between the minimum wages and the index of high cost of living examined by the Commission established under Decree No. 4206 of 8 August 1981, to which the Government refers in its report submitted under article 19 of the Constitution.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request which read as follows:

Article 1, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the Convention. The Committee notes that Decree No. 3005 of 1980 fixing minimum wages applies to all workers under the coverage of the Labour Code. Please indicate the situation as regards minimum wages for workers excluded from coverage by sections 7 and 8 of the Labour Code, in particular, domestic workers and workers in the agricultural sector.

Article 2, paragraph 2. Please indicate the number and categories of workers, if any, whose wages are fixed by collective agreements.

Article 4, paragraphs 2 and 3. The Committee notes that section 45 of the Labour Code provides for minimum wage-fixing by tripartite wage boards. Please indicate the measures taken to ensure consultation with and, where appropriate, participation of representatives of employers' and workers' organisations, when minimum wages are fixed by legislative enactments and decrees.