Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 (No. 95) - Colombia (Ratification: 1963)

The Committee previously noted the observations made by the General Confederation of Democratic Workers (CGTD). The CGTD pointed out that, in violation of the Convention, wages had not been paid for several months to workers in the state and public sectors, for example, in the Departments of Putumayo, Vinchada, Sucre and Meta, and also in the Municipalities of Tolú, Quibdó, Montería, Puerto Asis and Caicedonia. The CGTD added that, although this irregularity has been brought to the attention of the Government, in particular, the Ministries of Labour, the Interior, and the Council of Social Policy, no action had been taken to impose sanctions or other measures to ensure the payment of wages to these workers.

The Committee notes the Government's indication that, according to the Regional Directorate of Labour and Social Security of Córdoba, the Municipality of Montería is in peace with its workers as regards wages; that the Regional Directorate of Putumayo stated that the wages to its workers were liquidated; and that the Labour and Social Security Inspection of Cartago initiated an administrative investigation against the municipal enterprises of Cartago for the violation of the collective agreement of labour, sentencing the enterprises with 30 times minimum wages (as fines). The Committee notes this information, although it notes that the violations referred to regarding the last-mentioned investigation do not directly relate to payment of wages covered by the Convention.

The Committee requests the Government to indicate measures taken for the application in practice of Article 12 of the Convention concerning the regular payment of wages in the other regions mentioned by CGTD.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 1998.]