Demande directe (CEACR) - adoptée 2003, publiée 92ème session CIT (2004)

The Committee notes the Government’s report. It recalls its previous comments in which it requested the Government to keep it informed of any developments as regards the revision of the existing minimum wage rate for domestic workers and the operation of minimum wage fixing in the sugar industry. In its reply, the Government states that there has been no progress in adjusting the minimum wage rate for domestic workers while it makes no reference to a legally binding minimum wage for sugar plantation workers as may be prescribed under section 3(i)(a) of the Sugar Workers (Minimum Wage and Guaranteed Employment) Act (Cap. 359). The Committee is, therefore, bound to recall that minimum wage rates may only serve a meaningful purpose if they are adjusted from time to time to sufficiently take account of changes in the cost of living and other economic conditions. Bearing in mind that the minimum wage rate for domestic employees has not been revised for over 20 years and that the prevailing wage would now appear to be triple the statutory minimum (BDS$1.50 per hour), the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures, in consultation with the employers’ and workers’ organizations concerned, to determine new minimum wage levels for domestic employees.

With respect to sugar workers, the Committee understands that minimum wages are fixed by collective bargaining and that these negotiated rates usually apply across the industry to both unionized and non-unionized workers. The Committee requests the Government to specify the minimum wage rates currently applicable to sugar plantation workers and to transmit a copy of the collective labour agreement(s) fixing those rates. Noting the special importance of the sugar industry for the national economy, the Committee would also express its appreciation to the Government for providing statistical information concerning the number of sugar plantation workers and the evolution of the minimum wage rates practised in this sector.

In addition, the Committee notes that under the Wages Councils (Wages Regulations) (Shop Assistants) Order, 1997, lower minimum hourly, daily and weekly rates are fixed for shop assistants under 18 years of age. In this connection, the Committee recalls paragraph 176 of its General Survey of 1992 on minimum wages in which it stated that the reasons that may prompt the adoption of lower minimum wage rates for groups of workers on account of their age should be regularly re-examined in the light of the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value and also that the quantity and quality of work carried out should be the decisive factor in determining the wage paid. The Committee would, therefore, appreciate receiving additional information on this point including, for instance, any recent studies and surveys addressing these issues and examining the advisability of continuing to pursue a policy of minimum wage differentials on account of workers’ characteristics such as age.