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

Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 (No. 95) - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Ratification: 1998)

Articles 3, 6, 12 and 13 of the Convention. Payment of wages in legal tender – Freedom of workers to dispose of their wages. Regular payment of wages and final settlement at end of contract – Time and place of wage payment. In its previous comments, the Committee drew attention to several requirements of the Convention, for instance, the payment of wages in legal tender, the payment of wages at regular intervals, or the prompt settlement of any outstanding payments upon the termination of the employment contract, which are not given effect through express legal provisions. The Government indicated in consecutive reports that the relevant provisions of the Convention are complied with in practice and that there have never been any complaints lodged in this regard. The Committee trusts that, should any problems arise in the future with respect to the implementation of these Articles of the Convention in practice, the Government will take appropriate action to transpose the provisions in question into the national legislation.

Article 4(1). Partial payment of wages in kind. In its previous comments, the Committee encouraged the Government to take steps to bring the national legislation into line with practice by prohibiting altogether the payment of wages in kind. In its latest report, the Government indicates that it will bring to the attention of the competent authority the Committee’s recommendations. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to keep the Office informed of any progress made in this regard.

Article 8. Deductions from wages. Further to its previous comments, the Committee again requests the Government to indicate the legal provisions, if any: (i) setting an overall limit for permissible deductions from wages to the extent necessary to safeguard the maintenance of the worker and his/her family; and (ii) specifying the manner in which workers are informed of the conditions under which deductions may be made.

Articles 10 and 14. Attachment and assignment of wages – Keeping workers informed of wage conditions. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the question regarding the possible adoption of specific legislative provisions on the attachment and assignment of wages, the need to inform workers of the wage conditions applicable to them before they enter employment, and the issuance of payslips at the time of each pay interval, will be brought to the attention of the competent authority. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to keep the Office informed of any progress made in this regard.