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

Social Policy (Basic Aims and Standards) Convention, 1962 (No. 117) - Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (Ratification: 1983)

With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information supplied in the Government's report, and in particular concerning Articles 7 and 13 of the Convention.

Article 8. The Committee notes the Government's indication of various measures taken for the protection of foreign workers in Venezuela and Venezuelan workers in foreign countries. It again requests the Government to state whether agreements have been concluded with any foreign countries in order to regulate matters of common concern in connection with migrant workers.

Article 12. The Committee notes the Government's reference to some provisions of the Organic Labour Act (published on 20 December 1990). It notes that section 162 of the said Act prescribes the limit to the distraints upon the remuneration of workers, and that section 165 limits the repayment of debts to the employer, during and at the termination of the employment relationship, to a certain percentage of the remuneration or sums due to the employee. The manner of repayment of advances on wages is thus regulated. It appears, however, that the maximum amounts of advances on wages are not prescribed under this Act. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate measures taken or envisaged to limit such amount and also to make any advance in excess of the prescribed amount legally irrecoverable, and to prevent such an advance from being recovered by the withholding of amounts of pay due to the worker at a later date.

Article 15. The Committee notes the Government's statement that the educational services are available to young people not only in the central region but also in the interior of the country. It would be grateful if the Government would supply with its future reports information on the practical application of this Article, including, for example, extracts from official reports, in accordance with point V of the report form.