Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 (No. 95) - Lebanon (Ratification: 1977)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and the information supplied in reply to the previous direct request. It also notes with interest the adoption of Decree No. 3273 of 26 June 2000 relating to labour inspection.

Article 2 of the Convention. Further to its earlier comments, the Committee notes that the Government refers again to the distinction between agricultural undertakings of a commercial or industrial character which fall within the scope of application of the Labour Code and those less developed which are excluded from its coverage. It further notes the Government’s indication that the contracts of employment of agricultural workers employed in undertakings of a non-industrial or non-commercial character are regulated by sections 624 to 656 of the Code des obligations which nevertheless does not contain any provisions on the protection of wages of those workers. The Committee can only hope that, in the ongoing process of drafting the new law on agricultural workers, the Government will take whatever steps may be necessary to ensure that all agricultural workers without exception benefit from wage protection in accordance with the terms of the Convention.

Article 5. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, under draft section 47 of the Bill to amend certain provisions of the Labour Code currently under consideration, wages must be paid directly to the worker concerned unless the latter chooses otherwise. The Committee would be grateful if the Government could transmit the text of the new legislation as soon as it is adopted.

Article 6. The Committee notes that under draft section 47, paragraph 4, of the abovementioned Bill, the employer is prohibited from restricting in any manner the freedom of the worker to dispose of his/her monthly wage, and that substituting the wage due, in whole or in part, with goods or foodstuffs which are forced upon the worker, or constraining the worker to buy such goods or foodstuffs in specific places or from the employer, are equally prohibited. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of any progress made concerning the above draft and to supply a copy when it is adopted.

Part V of the report form. The Committee finally requests the Government to supply information on the application of the Convention in practice, including, for example, extracts of official reports or statistical information on inspection visits, the number and nature of violations reported and sanctions imposed.