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

Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131) - Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (Ratification: 1977)

With reference to its previous comments, the Committee has noted the information supplied in the Government's report as well as the attached text of Supreme Decree No. 23093 of 16 March 1992.

Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes that the Government has not replied to the previous request concerning the results of the measures the Government intended to take in order to extend the minimum wage system to rubber, forestry and chestnut workers. It requests the Government to indicate whether these workers or any other groups of wage-earners have been excluded from the scope of the national minimum wage fixed by Supreme Decree No. 23093.

Article 2. The Committee notes that, under section 23 of Supreme Decree No. 23093, the wage increase for 1992 in the private sector should be negotiated at each enterprise, which is obliged to register the wages agreements at the Ministry of Labour, and that in the case of failure to reach agreement, the Ministry should process the relevant clauses in conformity with the labour law and regulations. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on measures taken to ensure that the minimum wage fixed under its section 2 should not be subject to abatement, and to indicate the sanctions applicable for failure to apply the minimum wage.

Article 5. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government in the report as well as the discussion that took place at the Conference Committee in June 1992 concerning the application of Convention No. 81. It notes in particular that the total number of inspectors increased from 63 in 1991 to 73 in 1992. The Committee hopes that the Government will continue its efforts to extend and improve labour-inspection activities and that it will be able to communicate the outcome of such activities regarding the application of the minimum wages, including, for example, the data on the infringements observed and the sanctions imposed.