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

Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 (No. 26) - Slovakia (Ratification: 1993)

The Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government in its report in reply to the Committee’s previous comments, as well as the attached documentation.

Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes that, under section 2(1) of the Minimum Wage Act No. 90/1996, lower monthly and hourly wage rates are applied to certain categories of workers on the basis of age. In this regard, the Committee wishes to refer to paragraphs 169 to 176 of its General Survey of 1992 on minimum wages in which it invited States to devote special attention to the provision of fair remuneration to young workers, bearing in mind the principle of equal pay for equal work and the principle of determining remuneration on the basis of objective criteria such as the quantity and quality of work done. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the measures that have been taken or are envisaged to re-examine the question of the different minimum wages rates based on age in the light of the principles mentioned above, especially that of equal pay for work of equal value.

Article 3, paragraph 2(2). The Committee notes with interest the explanations provided by the Government concerning the establishment and functioning of the minimum wage fixing machinery. In particular, the Committee notes that, by virtue of Act No. 106/1999 on the Economic and Social Partnership, representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations are associated in equal numbers and on equal terms in the operation of the Council of Economic and Social Accord for the determination of the scale of coefficients applied to the various degrees of occupational skill. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of any new developments concerning the composition and terms of reference of this consultative body in respect of minimum wage fixing.

Article 4, paragraph 1. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that workers are informed of the minimum wage rates in force through various sources, such as technical publications regarding wages or the web site of the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family, but also by means of notices posted at the workplace. In this connection, the Committee would be grateful if the Government could specify whether the posting of notices containing information on applicable minimum wage rates is prescribed by national laws or regulations and, if so, transmit a copy of the relevant text(s).

Article 5 and Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the national minimum wage was last determined by Regulation No. 514/2002 and currently amounts to 32 SKK per hour or 5,570 SKK per month. The Committee requests the Government to continue supplying detailed information on the practical application of the Convention, including, for instance, the minimum wage rates in force by sector and occupational category, statistics on the number of workers covered by relevant legislation, inspection reports containing information on the number and nature of violations observed and penalties imposed, and any other particulars bearing on the operation of the minimum wage fixing machinery.