Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131) - Armenia (Ratification: 2005)

Articles 1 and 4 of the Convention. Minimum wage system – Full consultation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes the observations of the Republican Union of Employers of Armenia (RUEA) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) concerning the application of the Convention, which were received on 4 July 2013 and transmitted to the Government on 11 September 2013. The two employers’ organizations express their concern about recent amendments to the Minimum Wage Act of 2003 and the establishment of a new minimum wage rate without any prior consultations with representative employers’ organizations. The RUEA and the IOE indicate that even though the draft legislation was communicated to the RUEA for comments, the assessment of the impact of the minimum wage on the economy was carried out by the Government, and the criteria used for the determination of the minimum wage did not reflect factors such as the changes in the cost of living, the relative living standards of other social groups, the requirements of economic development, the levels of productivity and the desirability of attaining and maintaining a high level of employment. In addition, the Committee notes additional comments made by the IOE on 17 July 2013, according to which the involvement of social partners in minimum wage setting, adjustment and enforcement is vital and therefore it would be appreciated if the Committee could raise awareness among ILO member States of the utmost importance of consulting social partners at all stages of the minimum wage fixing process. The Committee requests the Government to submit any comments it may wish to make in response to the observations of the RUEA and the IOE.