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Repetition Article 2(3) of the Convention. Exclusion of public holidays and absence from work due to sickness from the annual holiday with pay. The Committee notes the Government’s indications that the Labour Code could be amended when its provisions are reviewed so as to ensure that public holidays are no longer counted in the duration of annual holidays with pay. It requests the Government to provide information on any development in this respect. With regard to absence from work due to sickness, the Committee notes that, under the terms of section 149 of the Labour Code, periods of unavailability due to employment accident or occupational disease or, up to a maximum of six months, absences for medically certified illness are considered as periods of work for the determination of holiday entitlement. However, it draws the Government’s attention to the fact that this provision relates to the inclusion of such absences in the period of service giving entitlement to annual holidays, and not their exclusion from the annual holiday itself, as required by Article 2(3) of the Convention. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted or envisaged to ensure that absences from work due to sickness are not deducted from the annual holiday to which the worker is entitled.Article 8. Sanctions. The Committee notes the Government’s confirmation in its report that the national legislation does not establish sanctions for violations of sections L.160 and L.162 of the Labour Code. However, it wishes to emphasize the importance of a system of sanctions to ensure compliance with labour legislation, particularly with regard to section L.162 of the Labour Code under which any agreement is null and void which seeks to replace annual holidays with pay by cash compensation, as the violation of this provision would deprive the Convention of any useful purpose. It hopes that the Government will take measures rapidly to amend the Labour Code so as to impose sanctions in cases of violations of the rules established by sections L.160 and L.162 of the Labour Code, for example by including these provisions in the list of violations contained in section L.325 of the Labour Code.
Repetition Article 5 of the Convention. Compensatory rest. The Committee notes that in reply to its previous observation, the Government merely sends copies of an internal memo and an application form for leave or compensatory rest, from two non-governmental organizations. The Committee points out that these documents do not constitute local agreements within the meaning of Article 5 of the Convention. In view of the importance of compensatory rest to the protection of the health of the workers concerned, the Committee trusts that the Government will take the necessary steps without delay to ensure that, as far as possible, such rest is granted to workers who work on their weekly day of rest. It requests the Government to provide information on all progress made in this regard.Article 7. Posting of notices and record-keeping. The Committee notes that the documents sent by the Government are not such as to ensure application of this provision of the Convention. It reminds the Government that, according to Article 7 of the Convention, employers must be required either to make known to the whole of the staff the days and hours of collective weekly rest or to draw up a roster indicating any special system of weekly rest. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to give effect to this provision of the Convention.The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.
The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report contains no information replying to its previous direct request. It is therefore bound to renew its comments on the following points.
Article 4 of the Convention. Total or partial exceptions. The Committee notes that section A.144.2 of Order No. 96-1566/MEFPT-SG of 7 October 1996, setting out arrangement for the implementation of certain provisions of the Labour Code, lists the establishments allowed to give the weekly rest, by rotation, on a day other than Sunday. It also notes that by virtue of this provision, the competent labour inspector may, after consultation with the employers’ and workers’ organizations concerned, authorize enterprises other than those listed to make use of this facility. The Committee requests the Government to provide more detailed information on the types of enterprises for which such exceptions have been granted by labour inspectors.
Part V of the report form. The Committee requests the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice including, for instance, extracts from reports of the inspection services and, if possible, information on the number and nature of the contraventions of the legislation on weekly rest that have been reported, etc.
Finally, the Committee takes this opportunity to recall that, based on the conclusions and proposals of the Working Party on Policy regarding the Revision of Standards, the ILO Governing Body has decided that the ratification of up to date Conventions, including the Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention, 1921 (No. 14), and the Weekly Rest (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1957 (No. 106), should be encouraged because they continued to respond to current needs (see GB.238/LILS/WP/PRS/1/2, paragraphs 17–18). The Committee accordingly invites the Government to contemplate ratifying Convention No. 106 and to keep the Office informed of any decisions taken or envisaged in this respect.
Article 2, paragraph 3, of the Convention. Exclusion of public holidays and absence from work due to sickness from the annual holiday with pay. The Committee notes the Government’s indications that the Labour Code could be amended when its provisions are reviewed so as to ensure that public holidays are no longer counted in the duration of annual holidays with pay. It requests the Government to provide information on any development in this respect. With regard to absence from work due to sickness, the Committee notes that, under the terms of section 149 of the Labour Code, periods of unavailability due to employment accident or occupational disease or, up to a maximum of six months, absences for medically certified illness are considered as periods of work for the determination of holiday entitlement. However, it draws the Government’s attention to the fact that this provision relates to the inclusion of such absences in the period of service giving entitlement to annual holidays, and not their exclusion from the annual holiday itself, as required by Article 2, paragraph 3, of the Convention. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted or envisaged to ensure that absences from work due to sickness are not deducted from the annual holiday to which the worker is entitled.
Article 8. Sanctions. The Committee notes the Government’s confirmation in its report that the national legislation does not establish sanctions for violations of sections L.160 and L.162 of the Labour Code. However, it wishes to emphasize the importance of a system of sanctions to ensure compliance with labour legislation, particularly with regard to section L.162 of the Labour Code under which any agreement is null and void which seeks to replace annual holidays with pay by cash compensation, as the violation of this provision would deprive the Convention of any useful purpose. It hopes that the Government will take measures rapidly to amend the Labour Code so as to impose sanctions in cases of violations of the rules established by sections L.160 and L.162 of the Labour Code, for example by including these provisions in the list of violations contained in section L.325 of the Labour Code.
Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the annual report for 2005 of the National Directorate of Labour, which was attached to the Government’s report provided in 2007 under the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81). It notes that, during the reference period, a total of 1 278 individual disputes, of which 184 related to holidays with pay, were referred to the regional directorates of labour, employment and vocational training. It further notes that, over the same period, 213 enterprises were inspected and it understands that violations of the legal provisions respecting annual holidays with pay were not reported. The Committee also notes the participation of representatives from Mali in the subregional workshop to reflect on the relations between labour administration and labour courts, held in Dakar in May 2008. It notes the recommendations formulated by this workshop for labour inspectors, magistrates in courts of law and labour courts, and the State. It hopes that the implementation of these recommendations will provide a basis for strengthening the enforcement of the Convention in the country and requests the Government to continue providing information on the application of the Convention in practice, including information on the number of workers covered by the relevant legislation, the number and nature of the violations reported of the legislation on annual holidays with pay and any measures taken in response.
The Committee also takes this opportunity to recall that, following the proposal of the Working Party on Policy regarding the Revision of Standards, the ILO Governing Body considered that Convention No. 52 was outdated and invited the States parties to this Convention to envisage the possibility of ratifying the Holidays with Pay Convention (Revised), 1970 (No. 132), which is not considered to be fully up to date but remains relevant in certain respects (see document GB.283/LILS/WP/PRS/1/2, paragraph 12). Acceptance of the obligations of Convention No. 132 in respect of employed persons in economic sectors other than agriculture by a Member which is party to Convention No. 52 ipso jure involves the immediate denunciation of Convention No. 52. This would appear all the more appropriate as legislation of Mali, which provides for basic annual holidays with pay of 30 calendar days (as well as additional leave of up to six calendar days based on seniority), is clearly more favourable than the requirements of Convention No. 52, and would appear to reflect most of the requirements of Convention No. 132. The Committee requests the Government to envisage the ratification of Convention No. 132 and the adoption of any legislative amendments that may be necessary, and to keep the Office informed of any decision that may be taken in this respect.
Article 5 of the Convention. Compensatory rest. The Committee notes that in reply to its previous observation, the Government merely sends copies of an internal memo and an application form for leave or compensatory rest, from two non-governmental organizations. The Committee points out that these documents do not constitute local agreements within the meaning of Article 5 of the Convention. In view of the importance of compensatory rest to the protection of the health of the workers concerned, the Committee trusts that the Government will take the necessary steps without delay to ensure that, as far as possible, such rest is granted to workers who work on their weekly day of rest. It requests the Government to provide information on all progress made in this regard.
Article 7. Posting of notices and record-keeping. The Committee notes that the documents sent by the Government are not such as to ensure application of this provision of the Convention. It reminds the Government that, according to Article 7 of the Convention, employers must be required either to make known to the whole of the staff the days and hours of collective weekly rest or to draw up a roster indicating any special system of weekly rest. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to give effect to this provision of the Convention.
The Committee is also addressing a request directly to the Government on other matters.
Article 4 of the Convention. Exceptions. The Committee notes that section A.144.2 of Order No. 96-1566/MEFPT-SG of 7 October 1996 giving effect to certain provisions of the Labour Code lists the establishments allowed to give the weekly rest day, by rotation, on a day other than Sunday. It also notes that, by virtue of this provision, the competent labour inspector may, after consultation with the employers’ and workers’ organizations concerned, authorize enterprises other than those listed to make use of this facility. The Committee requests the Government to supply further information on the types of enterprises for which such exceptions have been granted by the labour inspectors.
Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the Government’s statement according to which the statistics currently available make it not possible to establish the exact number of workers protected by the relevant legislation. It requests the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, including, for instance, extracts from the reports of the inspection services and, if possible, information on the number and nature of the contraventions reported, etc.
Article 5 of the Convention. Compensatory periods of rest. The Committee notes with regret that, in its report, the Government does not reply to its previous comments and confines itself to indicating that the Labour Code does not provide for compensatory periods of rest when the suspensions or diminutions in weekly rest are granted in virtue of Article 4 of the Convention. In its 2004 report, the Government indicates that such periods of rest were provided for in agreements and local customs as allowed in Article 5 of the Convention. Despite the Committee’s request, the Government has supplied no information on these agreements and local customs. The Committee is bound to request the Government once again to supply such information. In this respect, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to the importance of compensatory rest periods since, as it emphasized in its 1964 General Survey on weekly rest (paragraph 197), "it is obvious that abnormal work on the weekly rest day, even if it lasts only a short while, disturbs the workers’ family and social life".
Article 7. Posting of notices and keeping of rosters. The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not reply either on this matter to its previous comments and indicates only that there are no legislative provisions giving effect to this Article of the Convention. In its previous report, the Government stated that agreements respecting the arrangements and distribution of working hours concluded in an enterprise or establishment were brought to the knowledge of the workers by posting of notices. The Committee once again asks the Government to supply copies of such agreements and examples of notices and rosters by which the staff is informed of weekly rest days and times.
The Committee is also addressing a request on certain other points directly to the Government.
The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report is confined to reproducing information that was supplied previously and does not reply to its previous comments. The Committee trusts that the next report will contain full particulars on the matters raised in its previous direct requests, which read as follows:
Article 5 of the Convention. According to the report, periods of compensatory rest are provided for in agreement between the employer and the representative trade unions in enterprises where exceptions to the weekly rest have been made under sections L.143 and L.144 of the Labour Code and sections A.144.1 and A.144.2 of Order No. 96-1566/MEFPT-SG. The Government is requested to provide more detailed information on agreements and local customs which already provide for such periods of rest and to indicate the other measures which are envisaged or have been adopted to ensure, as far as possible, provision for compensatory periods of rest for the workers concerned. The Committee requests the Government to provide copies of such agreements.
Article 7. The Committee notes that there are no legislative provisions giving effect to this Article of the Convention: section L.141 of the Labour Code does not address this subject. It also notes the Government’s statement that agreements respecting the arrangement and distribution of working hours must be brought to the knowledge of the workers concerned through the posting of notices and that, in establishments covered by section A.144.2 of Order No. 96-1566/MEFPT-SG, this includes information on collective rest periods and special systems of rest periods. The Government is requested to provide copies of such agreements and examples of notices and rosters established in accordance with Article 7 of the Convention.
Part III of the report form. The Committee requests the Government to provide copies with its next report of reports drawn up under sections 295 and 296 of the Labour Code by the regional inspection services on infringements of the principle of weekly rest which have been forwarded to the judicial authorities.
[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2005.]
The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous comments. It asks the Government to supply further details on the following points.
Article 2, paragraph 2(a), of the Convention. The Committee notes that, contrary to this provision of the Convention, non-working days are counted as part of the annual holiday with pay. It requests the Government to clarify the minimum length of annual holidays which are granted in practice to workers under section L.151 of the Labour Code, 1992, in view of the inclusion of public and customary holidays in the leave period of 30 days per year. The Committee invites the Government again to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that public and customary holidays are not included in the period of paid leave.
Article 7. A specimen copy of the employer’s register, to be kept in accordance with section L.130 of the Labour Code, although announced in the report of the Government, was not supplied. The Committee requests the Government to provide such a copy with its next report.
Article 8. Contraventions against sections L.160 and L.162 of the Labour Code on the remuneration in kind, as a means of the calculation of the leave allowance and on the invalidity of any agreement on the monetary compensation of holidays, respectively, are exempted from the sanctions provided for under section L.324 of the Labour Code. The Committee asks the Government to inform it of any system of sanctions to ensure the application of the provisions of the Convention, and to indicate any measures it would take into consideration to include contraventions of sections L.160 and L.162 of the Labour Code in the catalogue of sanctions under the Labour Code.
The Committee notes that the Government’s report contains no reply to previous comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:
Article 7. The Committee notes that there are no legislative provisions giving effect to this Article of the Convention: section L.141 of the Labour Code does not address this subject. It also notes the Government’s statement that agreements respecting the arrangement and distribution of working hours must be brought to the knowledge of the workers concerned through the posting of notices and that, in establishments covered by section A.144.2 of Order No. 96-1566/MEFPT-SG, this includes information on collective rest periods and special systems of rest. The Government is requested to provide copies of such agreements and examples of notices and rosters established in accordance with Article 7 of the Convention.
The Committee notes with interest the adoption of Decree No. 96-178/P-RM of 13 June 1996 and Order No. 96-1566/MEFPT-SG issuing texts implementing certain provisions of the Labour Code. It also notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous direct request, particularly on the establishments enumerated in section A.144.2 of Order No. 96-1566/MEFPT-SG, which are allowed to apply exceptions to weekly rest. Furthermore, with regard to the consultation of responsible associations of employers and workers before the authorization of exceptions to weekly rest, it notes the opinion issued by the Higher Labour Council before the adoption of the above Order.
The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide additional information in its next report on the following points.
Article 7. The Committee notes that there are no legislative provisions giving effect to this Article of the Convention: section L.141 of the Labour Code does not address this subject. It also notes the Government’s statement that agreements respecting the arrangement and distribution of working hours must be brought to the knowledge of the workers concerned through the posting of notices and that, in establishments covered by section A.144.2 of Order No. 96-1566/MEFPT-SG, this includes information on collective rest periods and special systems of rest.
The Government is requested to provide copies of such agreements and examples of notices and rosters established in accordance with Article 7 of the Convention.
The Committee notes with interest the adoption of the Labour Code (Act No. 92-020) of 23 September 1992. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information, in its next report, on the following points.
Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention. Section L.143 of the Labour Code permits exceptions to the right to a weekly day of rest, in principle granted on Sundays, for undertakings in which work cannot stop without grave inconveniences to collective life. Section L.144 of the Code further provides that decrees from the Ministry of Labour shall determine the list of such exceptions. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the practical application of these exceptions, and on any consultations with responsible associations of employers and workers in this regard. It would be grateful if the Government would also indicate what measures exist to ensure compensatory rest periods are granted when exemptions from the provision on weekly rest have been applied pursuant to sections L.143-L.144 of the Labour Code.
Article 6. The Committe requests the Government to furnish a list of the exceptions made under Article 4 of the Convention.
Article 7. The Committee requests the Government to indicate what legislative provisions give effect to Article 7 of the Convention and to supply models of notices established in accordance with this Article.
The Committee notes with interest the adoption of the Labour Code (Act No. 92-020) of 23 September 1992. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information, in its next report, on the following points:
Article 2, paragraph 3(a), of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to clarify what legislative measures exist to ensure that public and customary holidays are not included in the period of paid leave.
Article 3. The Committee notes that section L.157 of the Labour Code provides that leave allowance shall be calculated as a percentage (1/12) of the total remuneration in cash and in kind paid during the base period but excluding amounts paid by way of reimbursement of expenses, gratuities and annual bonuses, as well as benefits in kind of which the wage-earner continues to receive during leave. This provision then states that the eventual subtraction of benefits in kind is taken into consideration in the calculation of the leave allowance. The Committee points out to the Government that Article 3 of the Convention requires holiday remuneration to include the cash equivalent of all payments accorded in kind. In this respect, the Committee requests the Government to clarify whether section L.157 of the Labour Code excludes all payments in kind from the average earnings on which holiday remuneration is based.
Article 7. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply a specimen copy of the employer's register kept in virtue of section L.130 of the Labour Code.
Article 8. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the inspection measures taken and the use of the sanctions system, to ensure application of the provisions of the Convention.