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

Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131) - Nicaragua (Ratification: 1976)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and the attached documentation.

Article 1, paragraph 1, and Article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes the statistics provided by the Government on the evolution of minimum wage rates by branch of activity for the period 1991-2002. The Committee notes in particular that monthly, daily and hourly minimum wage rates were last adjusted in April 2002 by ministerial resolution, with the agreement of the National Minimum Wage Commission. In this respect, the Committee notes that, by virtue of section 4 of the Minimum Wage Act, No. 129 of 1991, minimum wages are to be periodically adjusted, at least once every six months, taking into account the specific characteristics of each type of work, particular regional conditions and the economic sector. The Committee requests the Government to indicate, in its next report, whether the frequency of revision of minimum wage rates provided for in the above Act is given effect in practice and, if not, to indicate the measures adopted or envisaged to correct this situation.

Article 5 and Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the various categories of workers covered by minimum wage rates, and the number of violations of minimum wage provisions reported in 2001 by the inspection services. The Committee hopes that the Government will continue to provide information on the application of the Convention, in both law and practice, particularly with regard to the methods of enforcement and the sanctions imposed by virtue of section 9 of Act No. 129 of 1991 to ensure the effective application of minimum wage provisions.