Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

Social Policy (Basic Aims and Standards) Convention, 1962 (No. 117) - Ecuador (Ratification: 1969)

1. The Committee notes the report received in September 2003 which contains information in response to its direct request of 1999. The Committee intends to pursue consideration of the effect given to Convention No. 117 taking into consideration the matters closely linked with its application which were raised on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169), and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182).

2. Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would include in its next report on Convention No. 117 an updated assessment on the manner in which it is ensured that "the improvement of standards of living" has been considered as "the principal objective in the planning of economic development" (Article 2 of the Convention) and provide information on the results achieved in the campaign against poverty.

3. Articles 4 and 5. The Committee wishes to receive updated information on the extension of cover of social security services to the rural population and the manner in which the Banco de Fomento and other credit institutions have made it easier for small producers to acquire inputs and machinery. Article 5, paragraph 2, of the Convention lays down that in ascertaining the minimum standards of living of workers "account shall be taken of such essential family needs of the workers as food and its nutritive value, housing, clothing, medical care and education".

4. Part IV. Remuneration of workers. The Committee refers to its comments relating to the application of the Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 (No. 95), and the Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131). In previous comments on Convention No. 117, the Committee stressed the need for measures to be adopted in order to regulate the amounts of advances on wages, including advances that may be made to a worker in consideration of his/her taking up employment and the need to establish the maximum amount of advances on wages to render any advance in excess of the amount laid down legally irrecoverable. The Committee hopes that the Government’s next report will include indications on progress made in this respect (Article 12).