Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery (Agriculture) Convention, 1951 (No. 99) - Belgium (Ratification: 1968)

The Committee notes the report provided by the Government. It notes in particular the information supplied on the economic difficulties in the agricultural sector, the fall in the number of employees in the sector and the poor prospects for the development of agriculture. With regard to the legal system and regulations respecting the fixing of minimum wages, the Committee notes the conclusion of the most recent collective agreements in Joint Commission No. 144 for agriculture and Joint Commission No. 132 for technical, agricultural and horticultural enterprises, respectively, and particularly the collective agreement of 27 July 2001 respecting working and wage conditions and the collective agreement linking wages and benefits to the consumer price index. The Committee requests the Government to continue in future, in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention and Part V of the report form, communicating any relevant information relating to compliance with the provisions of the Convention in both law and practice. The Committee would also be grateful to be provided with fuller information on the measures adopted or envisaged with a view to reinforcing the system of supervision and sanctions relating to compliance with the legislation on the protection of remuneration, in the light of the information contained in recent reports on the activities of the labour legislation inspectorate highlighting the illegal employment and remuneration practices for foreign workers which are particularly frequent in the agricultural sector.