Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of ratified Conventions on wages, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 26 (minimum wage) and 95 (protection of wages) together.

A. Minimum wage

Article 3 of Convention No. 26. Minimum wage-fixing machinery. Consultation of the social partners. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes that the Government’s report indicates that the mechanism to adjust the minimum wage, when social partners cannot reach an agreement on the yearly adjustment, was amended in 2021. Section 8 of the Minimum Wage Act now provides that, where agreement between the social partners cannot be reached, including within the ESC, the monthly minimum wage for the following calendar year will be 57 per cent of the average monthly nominal wage of an employee, as published by the Statistical Office two years prior to the calendar year for which the minimum wage is determined. The Government states that this mechanism only applies if representative associations of employers and workers do not agree on the amount of the minimum wage for the relevant calendar year. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the consultations that took place with the social partners before the adoption of the abovementioned amendments of the Minimum Wage Act.

B. Protection of wages

Article 2 of Convention No. 95. Scope of the Convention. The Committee notes that, pursuant to section 2 of the Labour Code, as amended, the civil service is only covered by the Labour Code where so stipulated by a special regulation. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the remuneration of civil servants is protected under the Labour Code or other special regulations, and to provide information on the specific provisions ensuring the protection of the wages of such workers under the Convention.

Article 15(d). Maintenance of adequate records. In the absence of up-to-date information on this matter, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the provisions in laws or regulations that provide for the maintenance, in all appropriate cases, of adequate records in an approved form and manner, in accordance with Article 15(d).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee notes the observations of the Association of Industrial Unions (AIU) received on 16 April 2020, as well as the Government’s reply.

Article 3 of the Convention. Minimum wage-fixing machinery. Consultation of the social partners. The Committee notes that the AIU refers to recent legislative changes adopted by the Parliament, including amendments to the Minimum Wage Act. According to AIU, these amendments changed the minimum wage fixing method by providing that, in case an agreement is not reached between the social partners for the yearly revision of the minimum wage level, that level would be fixed at 60 per cent of the average monthly nominal wage of an employee, as determined by the national statistical office. The AIU adds that this formula was not justified by any study or expert discussion. While acknowledging that the legislative changes were the subject of a discussion in the Economic and Social Council (ESC) in the course of the legislative process, the AIU considers that this discussion was only a formally fulfilled obligation and that it did not constitute a proper consultation with the social partners, given that those submitting the legislative proposal were not willing to accept any comments or suggestions of the social partners. The Committee takes note of the Government’s reply to these observations, which confirms that the proposed legislative changes were submitted to the ESC following their introduction to the Parliament. The Government adds that further readings in the Parliament related to these amendments took place after the consultations with the social partners within the ESC. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the proceedings of the ESC meeting during which the proposed amendments to the Minimum Wage Act were discussed, together with a copy of the Act, as amended.

Replies received to the issues raised in a direct request which do not give rise to further comments (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, which answers the points raised in its previous direct request and has no further matters to raise in this regard.

Replies received to the issues raised in a direct request which do not give rise to further comments (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, which answers the points raised in its previous direct request and has no further matters to raise in this regard.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Article 4. Partial payment of wages in kind. The Committee recalls its previous comment in which it noted that wage payments in kind based on an individual labour agreement are not consistent with either the letter or the spirit of the Convention and accordingly requested the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that the national legislation is brought into line with this Article of the Convention. It notes that the most recent amendments to the Labour Code have left intact section 127(1), which allows the parties to an employment relationship to agree on the particular conditions of in-kind payments. In its latest report, the Government indicates that there does not appear to be an application problem, since neither the employee representatives, nor the employer representatives, have requested any amendments in this regard, nor has the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family received any allegations of abuse. The Committee recalls, in this regard, that the Convention permits the partial payment of wages in kind only under the conditions and within the limits prescribed by laws or regulations, collective agreements or arbitral awards but not individual agreements. In this connection, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to paragraphs 104–160 of its 2003 General Survey on the protection of wages, which offer guidance concerning possible ways in which legislative conformity with this Article of the Convention may be ensured. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to take the necessary measures to amend section 127(1) the Labour Code in order to bring it into line with this Article of the Convention.

Article 8. Limits on wage deductions. The Committee recalls its previous comment in which it drew the Government’s attention to the fact that the Convention recognizes only national laws or regulations, collective agreements and arbitration awards as legal bases for lawful deductions, it being understood that deductions made on any other basis, such as deductions by virtue of individual agreement or merely with the consent of the worker, are not in conformity with the requirements of the Convention. In its latest report, the Government states that section 131(3) of the Labour Code does not permit illegal or abusive deductions from the income of an employee and explains that section 20 of the Labour Code allows for agreements between employers and employees to be one of the forms of ensuring the rights and obligations arising from labour-law relations to satisfy an employer’s entitlement towards an employee. The Government also indicates that effecting deductions without valid legal grounds would in any event represent unwarranted enrichment on the part of the employer which is prohibited under section 222 of the Labour Code. By way of example, the Government indicates that an employee may agree with an employer on deductions for compensation for damages caused by negligence under section 186 of the Labour Code, compensation for damages caused by deliberate breach of obligations under section 179, or compensation for loss or damage to products, goods or other valuables under section 182 of the Labour Code. While noting the Government’s explanations, the Committee considers that the level of protection required by the Convention would only be obtained if all the types of deductions which may be made on the basis of a written agreement between the contracting parties were exhaustively enumerated and detailed in relevant laws or regulations. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to consider appropriate steps in order to ensure that the national legislation is brought into full conformity with the Convention on this point.

Article 10. Attachment of wages. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to Act No. 601/2003 Coll. and Government Regulation No. 268/2006 Coll. which establish the unattachable part of a worker’s wages so as not to deprive workers of the minimum level of income they need to provide for themselves and their families. However, the Committee understands that no similar limit seems to apply to deductions from wages other than those made in execution of a court decision. It notes, in this connection, that the European Committee of Social Rights has recently commented on this point concluding that the situation in the Slovak Republic is not in conformity with Article 4(5) of the revised Charter on the ground that unlimited deductions from wages may deprive workers of the means of subsistence required to provide for themselves and their families. Recalling that under Paragraph 1 of the Protection of Wages Recommendation, 1949 (No. 85), deductions from wages should not exceed the extent deemed necessary to safeguard the maintenance of the worker and his family, the Committee requests the Government to provide additional explanations in this regard. It also requests the Government to transmit a copy of the two legal documents mentioned above.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Article 3(2)(2) of the Convention. Consultations with the social partners. The Committee notes the adoption of the new Minimum Wage Act No. 663/2007 Coll. which provides for the annual revision of the national minimum wage taking into consideration the country’s overall social and economic situation in the preceding two calendar years, including the following factors: consumer prices, employment, average monthly wage and subsistence minimum. The Minimum Wage Act also modifies the minimum wage fixing process and now provides for direct negotiations of employers’ and workers’ representatives to start no later than 1 April each year for the amount of the minimum wage for the following calendar year. In case of agreement, the Minister of Labour submits the proposed amount in the form of a draft government regulation to the Economic and Social Council for its consideration. If the social partners fail to agree on the amount of the minimum wage, the Minister presents his own proposals to the Council. If the Minister’s proposals are not approved by the Council, the minimum wage for the next calendar year will be fixed at a level not lower than the amount of the current minimum wage multiplied by the annual growth index of the average monthly wage published by the Statistical Office. Moreover, the Committee understands that new legislation on tripartism was adopted in November 2006 replacing Act No. 106/1999 on Economic and Social Partnership and establishing the Economic and Social Council. The Committee requests the Government to provide more detailed information on the composition, powers and functions of the Economic and Social Council in matters related to minimum wage fixing. It would also appreciate receiving a copy of the 2006 legislation on tripartism and the rules of procedure of the Economic and Social Council.

Article 3(2)(3). Lower minimum wages on the basis of age or disability. The Committee notes with interest that the new Minimum Wage Act no longer provides for lower pay rates for young workers and workers with disabilities. The Government indicates that the elimination of differentiated minimum wage rates based on age or disability was decided in accordance with Act No. 365/2004 Coll. on equal treatment and protection against discrimination.

Article 5 and Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes that according to the information provided by the Government, the national minimum wage is currently set at €327.20 per month and the number of employees remunerated at the minimum rate is estimated at approximately 1.5 per cent of the total number of employees. The Committee understands that despite annual increases since 2002, the minimum wage rate remains one of the lowest in the European Union and it represents approximately 40 per cent of the gross average monthly wage. The Committee requests the Government to continue supplying up-to-date information on the practical application of the Convention, including labour inspection results, statistics on the approximate number of workers remunerated at the minimum wage rate, as well as copies of official documents, such as activity reports of the Economic and Social Council and studies on the subsistence minimum or other relevant indicators.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

The Committee notes the detailed information contained in the Government’s report and wishes to draw attention to the following points.

Article 3, paragraph 2(2), of the Convention. Consultation and participation of employers and workers. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the establishment of the Economic and Social Council by virtue of Act No. 103/2007 Coll. on tripartite consultations at the national level. The Council is a consultative and advisory body in the field of economic and social development. It is tasked to study and formulate recommendations on several issues, including labour legislation with regard to working and wage conditions and employment promotion. The Council is composed of 21 members, comprising seven representatives appointed by employers’ associations and seven representatives appointed by trade unions. In July 2007, the Council reached agreement on the amount of the minimum wage (8,100 SKK, or approximately US$327 per month and 46.60 SKK, or approximately US$2, per hour) that will take effect on 1 October 2007. The Committee would appreciate receiving additional information on the functioning and working method of the Economic and Social Council, in particular as regards minimum wage fixing and the socio-economic criteria used for that purpose.

Article 3, paragraph 2(3). Lower minimum wages on the basis of age or disability. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that a new Minimum Wage Act is currently under deliberation to replace Act No. 90/1996 Coll. currently in force. The Government indicates that the draft legislation, which is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2008, no longer provides for lower pay rates (50 per cent and 75 per cent of the minimum wage) for young workers and workers with disabilities in an effort to remove all grounds of discrimination following the adoption of Act No. 365/2004 Coll. on equal treatment and protection against discrimination. Under the new system, the social partners and Government representatives will no longer discuss on the coefficient to be used for determining the amount of the minimum wage but will directly negotiate the sum of the monthly minimum wage for the following calendar year. The objective of the new procedure is to strengthen the role of the social dialogue in the determination of the minimum wage. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of any developments in this regard and to transmit a copy of the new Minimum Wage Act as soon as it is adopted.

Article 4, paragraph 1. Dissemination of information on minimum wage rates. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the minimum wage rates are established in the form of a government regulation which is published in the Collection of Laws and also diffused through the public mass media, professional publications and the Internet site of the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family. It also notes that under section 5(4) of Act No. 2/1991 Coll. on collective bargaining, any higher pay rates fixed through collective agreements must be communicated to the workers concerned, for instance through the posting of notices at the workplace or otherwise.

Article 5 in conjunction with Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government on the evolution of the monthly gross minimum wage and the average wage in the period 2002–07, and on the higher minimum pay rates established in seven branch/sector collective agreements concluded in 2006. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue supplying up to date information on the practical application of the Convention, including labour inspection results, statistics on the approximate number of workers remunerated at the minimum wage rate, copies of any relevant documents or studies such as activity reports of the Economic and Social Council, etc.

Finally, the Committee wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the conclusions of the ILO Governing Body on the continued relevance of the Convention based on the recommendations of the Working Party on Policy regarding the Revision of Standards (GB.283/LILS/WP/PRS/1/2, paragraphs 19 and 40). In fact, the Governing Body has decided that Conventions No. 26 and No. 99 are among those instruments which may no longer be fully up to date but remain relevant in certain respects. The Committee therefore suggests that the Government should consider the possibility of ratifying the Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131) which marks certain advances compared to older instruments on minimum wage fixing, for instance, as regards its broader scope of application, the requirement for a comprehensive minimum wage system, and the enumeration of the criteria for the determination of minimum wage levels. The Committee requests the Government to keep the Office informed of any decision taken or envisaged in this regard.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report, in particular the adoption of the new Labour Code, Act No. 311/2001 Coll., as amended, and of Act No. 125/2006 Coll. on labour inspection.

Article 1 of the Convention. The Committee notes that section 118(2) of the Labour Code excludes from the legal definition of the term “wages” payments made pursuant to other provisions of the Labour Code or special regulations, such as wage compensation, severance pay, dismissal pay, travel reimbursement, dividends from the social fund, revenues from bonds and stocks, and stand-by pay. The Committee also notes the Government’s statement that the notion of “wages” is deemed to cover any remuneration for work, however it is called or calculated, and whether it is based on time, performance, volume produced, or any combination of these elements. The Government adds that “wages” also include bonuses or incentive pay provided for under sections 121–125 of the Labour Code, such as payment for overtime work, night work, work on holidays, work in shifts, dangerous or physically demanding work, work requiring high level of skills, premium for work results or long-term services, or rewards for saving properties or personal lives. The Committee wishes to recall the generic sense in which the term “wages” is employed in Article 2 of the Convention, which implies that whatever the term used, all remuneration or earnings, which are payable under a contract of employment, by an employer to an employee, should be afforded the protection of Articles 3–15 of the Convention.

Article 4. Partial payment of wages in kind. The Committee notes that section 127(1) of the Labour Code allows for the payment of part of the worker’s wages in kind, only with the consent of the worker and under conditions to be agreed between the employer and the worker. The Committee recalls, in this regard, that Article 4 of the Convention provides that only national law or regulations, collective agreements or arbitration awards may authorize the partial payment of wages in kind. What the Convention does not permit, therefore, because of the obvious risk of abuse, is that the parties to an employment relationship should be left free, by individual agreement, to provide for the particular conditions of the in-kind payment. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that the national legislation is brought into line with the Convention in this respect.

Article 8. Deductions from wages. The Committee notes that under section 131(3) of the Labour Code, wage deductions other than those enumerated in section 131(1) and (2) may be made by an employer subject to a written agreement concluded with an employee. The Committee is obliged to recall in this connection that Article 8 of the Convention makes exclusive reference to national laws or regulations, collective agreements or arbitration awards as being the only valid legal bases for effecting deductions from wages. As in the case of Article 4 of the Convention regulating payments in kind, the aim is to clearly exclude “private” arrangements which might involve unlawful or abusive deductions (or unsolicited payments in kind) to the detriment of the worker’s earnings. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take appropriate action to bring its legislation in line with the requirements of this Article of the Convention.

Article 10. Attachment and assignment of wages. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that a sum equivalent to 60 per cent of the subsistence amount for an adult person may not be subject to any attachment by court decision. The Government refers to Act No. 601/2003 Coll. on the subsistence amount and states that the subsistence amount for an adult person is currently set at SKK5,130 (approximately US$211.29) per month. The Committee would appreciate receiving a copy of the Act on the subsistence amount. It would also be grateful if the Government would indicate whether a similar limit applies to wage deductions and specify the relevant legal provision(s).

In addition, the Committee notes that the Labour Code does not seem to contain any provisions on the assignment of wages. The term “assignment of wages” is generally understood as a voluntary arrangement for the reimbursement of a personal debt on any pay advances granted by the employer based on a statement signed by the assignor in person before a magistrate of the local court or an agent of the labour inspectorate. The Committee therefore asks the Government to provide additional explanations on the conditions under which and the limits within which wages may be assigned.

Article 11. Protection of wage claims in bankruptcy/insolvency proceedings. The Committee notes that sections 21–26 of the Labour Code provide for the establishment of a wage guarantee fund for the settlement of workers’ wage claims in the event of the employer’s insolvency. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on the composition, mandate and financing of the wage guarantee fund and to transmit a copy of the legal text(s) regulating its operation.

Part V of the report form. The Committee requests the Government to provide general information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, including, for instance, statistics on the number of workers covered by relevant legislation, copies of collective agreements containing clauses on wage protection, extracts from reports of the labour inspection services showing the number of wage-related offences observed and sanctions imposed, etc.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

The Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government in its report in reply to the Committee’s previous comments, as well as the attached documentation.

Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes that, under section 2(1) of the Minimum Wage Act No. 90/1996, lower monthly and hourly wage rates are applied to certain categories of workers on the basis of age. In this regard, the Committee wishes to refer to paragraphs 169 to 176 of its General Survey of 1992 on minimum wages in which it invited States to devote special attention to the provision of fair remuneration to young workers, bearing in mind the principle of equal pay for equal work and the principle of determining remuneration on the basis of objective criteria such as the quantity and quality of work done. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the measures that have been taken or are envisaged to re-examine the question of the different minimum wages rates based on age in the light of the principles mentioned above, especially that of equal pay for work of equal value.

Article 3, paragraph 2(2). The Committee notes with interest the explanations provided by the Government concerning the establishment and functioning of the minimum wage fixing machinery. In particular, the Committee notes that, by virtue of Act No. 106/1999 on the Economic and Social Partnership, representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations are associated in equal numbers and on equal terms in the operation of the Council of Economic and Social Accord for the determination of the scale of coefficients applied to the various degrees of occupational skill. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of any new developments concerning the composition and terms of reference of this consultative body in respect of minimum wage fixing.

Article 4, paragraph 1. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that workers are informed of the minimum wage rates in force through various sources, such as technical publications regarding wages or the web site of the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family, but also by means of notices posted at the workplace. In this connection, the Committee would be grateful if the Government could specify whether the posting of notices containing information on applicable minimum wage rates is prescribed by national laws or regulations and, if so, transmit a copy of the relevant text(s).

Article 5 and Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the national minimum wage was last determined by Regulation No. 514/2002 and currently amounts to 32 SKK per hour or 5,570 SKK per month. The Committee requests the Government to continue supplying detailed information on the practical application of the Convention, including, for instance, the minimum wage rates in force by sector and occupational category, statistics on the number of workers covered by relevant legislation, inspection reports containing information on the number and nature of violations observed and penalties imposed, and any other particulars bearing on the operation of the minimum wage fixing machinery.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

The Committee notes the Government’s report. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the following points.

Article 1 of the Convention. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that "wage replacement" and stand-by pay represent pecuniary remuneration payable by an employer to an employed person for the time he/she is prevented from or unable to perform any work for various reasons (e.g. leave, obstructions to work, public holiday, stand-by order) but they are not deemed to constitute wages within the meaning of section 4(2) of Act No. 1/1992 concerning wages, stand-by pay and average earnings. In this connection, the Committee is bound to recall that the Convention, in the interest of affording the broadest possible protection to wage earners, uses the term "wage" in a generic sense so as to apply to any remuneration or earnings, however designated or calculated, thus including not only the basic wage but also any other allowance or benefit payable to the worker by virtue of a written or unwritten contract of employment. The Committee notes that the Government is in the process of preparing a new draft Labour Code. It therefore hopes that the Government will take appropriate steps to ensure that the new legislation fully reflects the requirements of the Convention in this regard.

Article 4. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that section 123 of the Labour Code was repealed by Act No. 206/1996 of 20 June 1996. It requests the Government to transmit the text of the said Act. In addition, the Committee would be grateful to the Government for supplying further information on the practical application of section 13 of Act No. 1/1992 on wages in kind, and also indicating the measures taken to ensure that allowances in kind are appropriate for the personal use and benefit of the worker and his/her family, and that the value attributed to such allowances is fair and reasonable.

Articles 6 and 7. The Committee notes the Government’s statement to the effect that draft articles 127 and 130 of the new Labour Code follow closely the provisions of the Convention concerning the free disposal of wages and the operation of workers’ stores. The Committee recalls, in this respect, that the Convention requires appropriate legislative provisions specifically prohibiting employers from limiting in any manner the freedom of workers to dispose of their wages and also guaranteeing that workers are free from any coercion in relation to the use of company stores and services. The Committee asks the Government to communicate a copy of the above draft articles.

Articles 8 and 10. The Committee notes the provisions of Government Decree No. 89/1997 on the amounts of wage (salary) deductions pursuant to forced execution of court rulings. Noting that the said Decree fixes a specific amount, and not a proportion of the wages, to be immune from deduction or attachment, the Committee asks the Government to further clarify whether this amount is deemed sufficient to enable workers and their families to satisfy their basic needs, as required under Article 10(2) of the Convention, and also to indicate whether national laws or regulations provide for the periodic review of such amount. The Committee also requests the Government to provide the text of Government Decree No. 223/1988 establishing the order of authorized wage deductions.

In addition, the Committee recalls that the Convention provides for the protection of wages not only against attachment but also against assignment, and therefore asks the Government to supply information on the measures taken or contemplated to ensure the application of the Convention in this respect.

Article 9. In the absence of response to its previous comment on this point, the Committee again requests the Government to specify the legislative or other provision expressly prohibiting deductions from wages with a view to ensuring direct or indirect payments to the employer or intermediaries for the purpose of obtaining or retaining employment.

Article 12(1). The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the new draft Labour Code lays down an obligation for the employer to provide in the employment contract for concrete intervals of wage payment. The Committee asks the Government to communicate the text of any relevant provision aimed at ensuring the regular payment of wages.

Article 15(c). The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, as from 1 July 2001, section 270(a) and (b) of the Labour Code were repealed by article III(2) of Act No. 95/2000 of 8 February 2000 on Labour Inspection. The Committee notes that under section 17(1)(a) of the new legislation the Labour Inspectorate is entitled to impose fines to employers for violations of obligations in respect of wage regulations up to the amount of 1,000,000 SKK.

Part V of the report form. The Committee requests the Government to include appropriate information in future reports on the enforcement of national legislation regarding wage protection, particularly on the results of inspection visits, the number and nature of infringements observed, and the penalties imposed.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which reads as follows:

Further to its previous comments, the Committee noted with interest the information supplied in the Government’s report, as well as the texts of the Constitution (adopted in 1991), the Labour Code (Act No. 65/1965, as subsequently amended), and the Act No. 1/1992 concerning wages, remuneration for workers on stand-by, and average earnings. It would be grateful if the Government could supply with the next report copies of other legislation referred to in its report, which give effect to the provisions of the Convention, if this has not already been done. The Committee also requests the Government to provide further information on the following points.

Article 1 of the Convention.  The Committee notes that, under section 4(2) of the Act No. 1/1992, "wage compensation" and "cash compensation" are, among other things, not deemed to constitute wages. It asks the Government to clarify what is meant by these terms.

Article 4.  The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the Regulation made under section 123(1)(d) of the Code concerning the payment of wages in kind.

Articles 6 and 7.  The Committee notes the Government’s indication to the effect that legislative measures have not been taken so far. It requests the Government to indicate any measures taken or envisaged to ensure that employers are prohibited from limiting the freedom of the worker to dispose of his or her wages and that the workers are not coerced to make use of works stores or services operated in connection with an undertaking.

Article 8.  The Committee requests the Government to indicate measures taken or envisaged to limit the extent to which deductions from wages may be made.

Articles 9 and 10.  The Committee requests the Government to supply, among copies of the legislation requested above, in particular, the text of provisions giving effect to these Articles of the Convention concerning the prohibition of deductions related to obtaining and retaining employment, and attachment and assignment of wages, respectively.

Article 12(1).  The Committee notes that, under section 119(1) of the Code and section 10(1) of the Act, a wage payment interval longer than the usual one month, may be fixed by individual employment contracts. It asks the Government to take measures to ensure that in such cases wages are paid at the fixed interval of time.

Article 15(c).  The Committee notes that, under the provisions of sections 270a and 270b of the Code, the bodies authorized to carry out inspections can prescribe penalties for violations of legislative provisions. It asks the Government to indicate the penalties actually prescribed concerning violations in relation to wage payment by such bodies, and to provide a copy of relevant laws or regulations.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee notes the information supplied in the Government's report in reply to its previous comments.

Article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government's statement that the Act on the Minimum Wages (No. 96/1996 of the Digest of Laws) was published in the Digest of Laws of the Slovak Republic, thus having become generally known by the persons concerned. The Committee recalls paragraph 359 of its 1992 General Survey on minimum wages, according to which the publication of minimum wage rates in the Official Gazette is not by itself sufficient to ensure that the employers and workers concerned are made aware of the rates in force. It again requests the Government to indicate the additional measures taken or envisaged to ensure that publicity is given to minimum wage rates, for example, through the publication of minimum wage rates in publications other than the official compilation of laws, the posting of notices in places where wages are paid or at the workplace, or by other means.

Article 5, in conjunction with point V of the report form. The Committee notes that the minimum wage is SKK2,700 per month for the year 1997 and applies to all groups of workers in industry, agriculture, services, private sector. It requests the Government to specify if young workers are or are not covered by this minimum wage. It also requests the Government to supply, in accordance with general information on the application of the Convention in practice: (i) the minimum wage rates in force; (ii) the available data on the number and different categories of workers covered by minimum wage provisions; and (iii) the results of inspections carried out (e.g. the number of violations of minimum wage provisions revealed, the penalties imposed, etc.).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

The Committee notes the Government's report on the application of the Convention. It requests the Government to provide further information on the following points:

Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government's statement that legal provisions and regulations on minimum wages are published in the official compilation of laws and come into force on the day after the date of publication. The Government adds that the public is generally well-informed about important legal texts and regulations, such as those relating to minimum wages. However, the Committee refers to paragraph 359 of its 1992 General Survey on Minimum Wages, according to which the publication of minimum wage rates in the Official Gazette is not by itself sufficient to ensure that the employers and workers concerned are made aware of the rates in force. It requests the Government to indicate the additional measures which have been taken or are envisaged to ensure that publicity is given to minimum wage rates, for example, through the publication of minimum wage rates in publications other than the official compilation of laws, the posting of notices in places where wages are paid or at the workplace, or by other means.

The Committee also notes that the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and the Family is responsible for the material and legislative aspects of the governmental decree on minimum wages. It requests the Government to provide information on the system of supervision and the sanctions envisaged in order to ensure that the wages actually paid are not lower than the applicable minimum rates.

Article 4, paragraph 2. The Committee notes the Government's statement that a worker to whom a governmental decree on minimum wages applies and who receives a lower wage can, under section 263 of the Labour Code, bring an action within three years with a view to recovering the difference. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether judicial or other decisions have been issued in this respect. Please supply copies of them, where appropriate.

Article 5. The Committee notes the Government's statement that the available statistics on the number of workers covered by the minimum wage decree does not take into account their distribution by sex and age. It requests the Government to provide such statistics.

Furthermore, the Committee also notes, according to the wage data for the second quarter of 1994, that 0.2 per cent of the workers out of a sample of 188,386 receive average hourly remuneration that is lower than the rate fixed by governmental decree. It requests the Government to indicate the sectors and categories of workers that receive wages that are lower than the minimum rates fixed by the Government and any measures that have been taken or are envisaged by the Government to ensure that the wages actually paid in industry, including home work, are not lower than the minimum applicable rates.

Point IV of the report form. Please indicate, in accordance with these provisions of the Convention, whether decisions have been taken by judicial or other bodies involving questions of principle relating to the application of the Convention and, if so, provide copies of them.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

Further to its previous comments, the Committee noted with interest the information supplied in the Government's report, as well as the texts of the Constitution (adopted in 1991), the Labour Code (Act No. 65/1965, as subsequently amended), and the Act No. 1/1992 concerning wages, remuneration for workers on stand-by, and average earnings. It would be grateful if the Government could supply with the next report copies of other legislation referred to in its report, which give effect to the provisions of the Convention, if this has not already been done. The Committee also requests the Government to provide further information on the following points.

Article 1 of the Convention. The Committee notes that, under section 4(2) of the Act No. 1/1992, "wage compensation" and "cash compensation" are, among other things, not deemed to constitute wages. It asks the Government to clarify what is meant by these terms.

Article 4. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the Regulation made under section 123(1)(d) of the Code concerning the payment of wages in kind.

Articles 6 and 7. The Committee notes the Government's indication to the effect that legislative measures have not been taken so far. It requests the Government to indicate any measures taken or envisaged to ensure that employers are prohibited from limiting the freedom of the worker to dispose of his or her wages and that the workers are not coerced to make use of works stores or services operated in connection with an undertaking.

Article 8. The Committee requests the Government to indicate measures taken or envisaged to limit the extent to which deductions from wages may be made.

Articles 9 and 10. The Committee requests the Government to supply, among copies of the legislation requested above, in particular, the text of provisions giving effect to these Articles of the Convention concerning the prohibition of deductions related to obtaining and retaining employment, and attachment and assignment of wages, respectively.

Article 12(1). The Committee notes that, under section 119(1) of the Code and section 10(1) of the Act, a wage payment interval longer than the usual one month, may be fixed by individual employment contracts. It asks the Government to take measures to ensure that in such cases wages are paid at the fixed interval of time.

Article 15(c). The Committee notes that, under the provisions of sections 270a and 270b of the Code, the bodies authorized to carry out inspections can prescribe penalties for violations of legislative provisions. It asks the Government to indicate the penalties actually prescribed concerning violations in relation to wage payment by such bodies, and to provide a copy of relevant laws or regulations.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

The Committee notes from the general report of the Government the description of the principle of tripartite negotiation for minimum wage fixing, presently in force. It requests the Government to provide a detailed report on measures taken to give effect to each Article of the Convention, following the report form approved by the Governing Body, providing also copies of relevant legislation if they have not already been sent to the ILO.

[The Government is asked to report in detail for the period ending 30 June 1994.]

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

The Committee notes the general report of the Government. It requests the Government to provide a detailed report on legislative or other measures under which each Article of the Convention is applied, following the report form approved by the Governing Body.