E/C.12/1/Add.94
page 6
46.
The Committee urges the State party to take effective measures to raise wages,
prevent wage arrears, and ensure the implementation of article 133 of the Labour Code,
which, in line with the Covenant, stipulates that the minimum wage must not be lower than
the worker’s minimum subsistence level.
47.
The Committee urges the State party to ensure that adequate funds are allocated for
the prevention of accidents in the workplace and to strengthen the resources and powers of
the labour inspectorate so as to ensure that sanctions are imposed on employers who fail to
observe safety regulations.
48.
The Committee recommends that the State party undertake effective measures,
including through affirmative action, to improve the working conditions for women and to
ensure equal pay for work of equal value. The Committee also recommends that the State
party enact legislation criminalizing sexual harassment in the workplace.
49.
The Committee encourages the State party to revise section 410 of the Labour Code
so as to lower the quorum required for a strike ballot.
50.
The Committee urges the State party to ensure that under the new pensions system,
introduced by Federal Act of 1 January 2002, the basic component of pensions is raised to
the minimum subsistence level. In view of the fact that the realization of this goal may take
time, owing to limited resources, the Committee urges the State party to give priority to
raising the minimum pension levels and to ensuring that social benefits are targeted to the
families most in need.
51.
The Committee calls upon the State party to ensure effective implementation of
existing anti-trafficking legislation. It also encourages the State party to proceed with the
adoption of proposed legislative amendments and of the draft act “On Counteracting the
Trafficking of People” which aim at providing more effective protection for victims and
ensuring the prosecution of traffickers. Moreover, the State party should ensure the
availability of accessible crisis centres where victims of trafficking can receive assistance.
52.
The Committee calls upon the State party to intensify its efforts to combat domestic
violence by enacting specific legislation criminalizing domestic violence and providing
training for law enforcement personnel and judges regarding the serious and criminal
nature of domestic violence. Moreover, the Committee urges the State party to ensure the
availability and accessibility of crisis centres where victims of domestic violence can find
safe lodging and counselling.
53.
The Committee urges the State party, in order to fulfil its Covenant obligations
under article 11, to ensure that the increase in available funds in the State budget is also
used to promote an adequate standard of living for all, including through a comprehensive
national strategy to combat poverty. The Committee requests the State party to provide, in
its next periodic report, updated statistical information on a comparative basis on the
results of the efforts undertaken to reduce the number of people living below the
subsistence minimum to 28-30 million by 2006.