Demande directe (CEACR) - adoptée 2006, publiée 96ème session CIT (2007)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report. It would, however, like to receive information concerning the following points.

Article 3, paragraph 1, and Article 12 of the Convention. Conditions of payment of wages on plantations. With regard to the situation of migrant workers on sugar cane plantations, which has been the subject of comments for a number of years, the Committee notes the Government’s statements to the effect that labour relations between employers and workers have improved, notably due to regular inspections and the appointment of six labour inspectors in sugar cane-growing areas. The Government indicates that wages are paid every week for agricultural workers and every 15 days for other workers, in all establishments. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that the agreement reached in February 2000, between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, on the employment conditions for their nationals, has been implemented without any difficulties, thanks to collaboration between the State Secretariat for Labour, the State Secretariat for Foreign Affairs, the State Sugar Board and the National Sugar Institute (INAZUCAR). While welcoming the measures taken and the progress reported in this field, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would communicate more specific information, including statistical data and extracts of official documents, on the results achieved through the strengthening of staff numbers and through action taken by the labour inspectorate in the specific area of wage protection. The Committee recalls, in this regard, that a similar request was made in its previous observation on the application of Convention No. 29. It therefore hopes that the Government will provide, in its next report, detailed information confirming the improvement of the conditions of migrant workers employed on sugar plantations.

Article 8. Limits on wage deductions. The Committee notes that the Labour Code still does not stipulate limits on the deductions from wages authorized under section 201. While noting that the Government plans to study this issue at the next meeting of the Labour Advisory Council (CCT) and recalling that the purpose of this provision of the Convention is to protect workers against excessive or unfair reductions in their wages and guarantee a minimum subsistence income, the Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of any developments in this respect.