Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 (No. 26) - Dominican Republic (Ratification: 1956)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report, and the documents attached. It also notes the most recent resolutions, adopted in 2006, which readjust the national minimum wage for certain categories of construction workers. The Committee notes that the minimum wage rates established by the National Wage Commission vary depending on the activity of the enterprise, its social capital and its geographical location. Whilst noting that, following its most recent readjustment, the minimum wage stood, by way of example, at 4,100 pesos (approximately US$125) per month in free zones, 3,100 pesos (approximately US$95) in the sugar industry and 3,550 pesos (approximately US$108) in medium-sized enterprises in the hotel sector, the Committee would like to receive further information on the criteria used as the basis for fixing minimum wage rates and on the ability of such rates to guarantee workers and their families a decent standard of living.

The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue providing, in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention and Part V of the report form, information on the application of the Convention in practice, including, for instance, statistics on the number of workers remunerated at the minimum wage rate; copies of studies or other official documents on the functioning of the minimum wage system; statistics on recent changes in minimum wage rates in relation to fluctuations in economic indicators, such as the rate of inflation, during the same period; and extracts from inspection service reports detailing the violations reported and the penalties imposed. In this regard, the Committee wishes to refer to its last observation concerning the application of the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81), in which it mentioned the need to ensure that financial penalties for violations of legal provisions are established, taking into account the dissuasive purpose that they are to fulfil, despite any monetary fluctuations, and that these penalties are effectively enforced.