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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
JAMES J. DAVIS, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ETHELBERT STEWART, Commissioner
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES 1
BUREAU OF LABOR S T A T IS T IC S /
FOREIGN
LABOR
LAWS
M
# # ' *
llO®
SERIES
LABOR LEGISLATION
OF URUGUAY
JU LY, 1929
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON: 1929
A ft A
ACKNOW LEDGMENT
This translation of the labor laws of Uruguay was made under
the direction of Ethel Y. Larson, of the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
ii
CONTENTS
Page
Introduction and sum m ary_______________________________________________
1-6
W orkmen’s compensation la w ____________________________________________
7-14
Accident-prevention la w __________________________________________________ 14—20
Minimum wage law for rural workers_____________________________________29-32
Eight-hour law ____________________________________________________________ 33-38
Compulsory weekly rest law ______________________________________________ 38-43
Com pulsory weekly rest for drivers of automobiles and carriages, and for
domestic workers_______________________________________________________ 44-46
Prohibition of night work in bakeries, spaghetti, and dough factories, con
fectionery stores, and similar establishments___________________________ 46, 47
Seats for female em ployees_______________________________________________
47
Old-age pension la w ______________________________________________________
47-53
Retirement and pensions for public-service employees and laborers______ 54-62
Retirement and pension fund for employees of banking institutions and
the stock exchange_____________________________________________________ 62-66
National Labor Office_________________________________________________________
h i
66 -7 0
BULLETIN OF THE
U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
n o . 494
WASHINGTON
ju ly
,
1929
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
H IS is the first of a series of bulletins to be published by the
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics on labor legislation
T
enacted in the Latin American countries.
The labor laws of Uruguay have been compiled and translated
from the original texts obtained through the State Department from
the American consul general at Montevideo and represent all the
available labor laws in force at the time.
Workmen’s Compensation Law
T his law provides that all workers, including domestic servants,
hurt in industrial accidents arising out of or in the course of the
employment are entitled to compensation, and that their employers
shall be held liable for such accidents.
Workmen shall have no further rights against the employer than
those provided by this law unless there has been fraud on the part
of the latter. Workers who receive a wage in excess of 750 pesos a
year may not obtain compensation rated upon a higher wage than
this sum, which is fixed as the maximum. To have the right to
compensation the workman must have been incapacitated for work
for more than seven days, but when the disability lasts for more than
30 days compensation shall be paid from the day after the accident.
The worker does not lose his right to compensation, because the
accident may have occurred through a slight or serious fault on his
part, or by some fortuitous event or force majeure, but he does lose
it if he deliberately caused the accident.
Right of action against third parties is permitted, and any com
pensation payment from such third party relieves the employer of his
obligation for an equal sum. Any labor contracts which free the
employer from liability for accidents to workmen are declared null
and void.
Compensation Benefits
Death.—For death from an industrial accident the employer shall
pay the beneficiaries as follow s: The husband or wife married to the
deceased previous to the accident and not divorced or separated at
1
2
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
the time of the accident shall receive a life annuity of 20 per cent of
the annual wage of the deceased worker; if the beneficiary is the
husband, he shall be entitled to the annuity only if he can prove his
incapacity for work. One surviving minor child under 16 years of
age with one surviving parent, being supported by the deceased at
the time of the accident, shall have, irrespective of the legality of its
relationship to him or her, 15 per cent of the annual wage of the
deceased; and for two such minor children, 25 per cent; for three,
35 per cent; and for four or more, 40 per cent. I f the minor children
have neither father nor mother living, the amount may be raised to
20 per cent for each child.
On remarriage the surviving wife or husband shall lose all right
to the annuity and shall receive the amount of two years’ annuity in
full settlement of all claims. I f the deceased leaves neither spouse
nor minor children, ascendents who were supported by him are en
titled to 10 per cent of his wages as a life annuity.
Permanent total disability.—An employee who is permanently and
totally disabled as the result of an industrial accident shall receive a
life annuity equal to two-thirds his annual salary.
Permanent 'partial disability.—In cases of permanent partial dis
ability resulting from accident the employer shall grant the worker
a life annuity equal to half the wage reduction caused by the accident.
Temporary disability.—For temporary disability the employer is
required to pay the employee half the salary he was receiving at the
time of the accident, if his disability lasts more than seven days, to
count from the eighth day after the accident.
Persons protected by this law shall be entitled to the annuity only
if they lived in the territory of the Republic when the accident oc
curred and while they remain therein. I f they leave the country they
lose the right to the annual annuity and receive as full compensation
an amount corresponding to three years’ annuity.
This law does not apply to occupational diseases.
Accident-Prevention Law
T h e f i r s t labor law of Uruguay was th e accident-prevention law
enacted in July, 1914, which, by every possible means, technical and
otherwise, seeks to safeguard labor against accidents in various in
dustries among which are the following: Woodworking industries,
metallurgical shops, and building and wrecking undertakings.
Supplementary decrees were passed in 1915 extending the funda
mental provisions of the law to railway employees and those engaged
in factories, mines, and quarries using explosive substances. A decree
enacted on November 15, 1918, regulates in detail the hygienic and
safety conditions of the mining industry which was followed by an
other two years later specifying those measures which were obligatory
for the prevention of accidents in maritime work.
Minimum Wage Law for Rural Workers
A c c o r d i n g to the provisions of the Uruguayan minimum wage law,
rural laborers between the ages of 18 and 55 engaged in agriculture
or stock raising are to receive a minimum wage of 18 pesos a month,
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
3
or 72 centesimos a day, when employed by proprietors whose total
productive land is assessed at more than 20,000 pesos. When the real
property of the employer is assessed at more than 60,000 pesos the
minimum rural wage shall be 20 pesos a month, or 80 centesimos a
day.
Agricultural workers 16 to 18 years of age and those over 55 are
not to receive wages less than 15 pesos a month, or 60 centesimos
a day.
Laborers over 16 suffering from a physical defect, organic disease,
or similar disability, may be paid less than the minimum wage. In
such cases the wage shall be fixed by the departmental council of
administration or the auxiliary council of the district, with the advice
of the local medical officer.
Rural laborers shall have Sundays free each week or a substitute
free week day when exceptional circumstances necessitate work on
Sunday.
In addition to the minimum wage the employer is required to
furnish his workers with hygienic housing and sufficient food, or in
lieu thereof the sum of 50 centesimos a day or 12 pesos a month. The
worker is allowed to choose either the housing and food or the money
compensation.
The decree provides that the workers’ dwellings must be easily
ventilated, weatherproof, and kept thoroughly clean at all times.
Employers violating any of the provisions of this law are liable
to a fine of 10 pesos for each laborer involved and for a second offense
a fine of 25 pesos.
Eight-Hour Law
T his republic adopted the 8-hour day law on November 17, 1915.
The law applies to workers in factories, workshops, shipyards, quar
ries, construction enterprises and ports, to clerks and other employees
in industrial and commercial houses and to motormen, conductors,
and other employees on railroads and street railways. By subsequent
decrees it was extended to messengers, employees in moving-picture
houses and legitimate theaters, seamen, and workers in creameries,
breweries, and refrigerating plants.
Compulsory Weekly Piest Law
A law requiring a weekly day of rest of at least 24 hours for all
salaried employees, wage earners, managers, and directors of indus
trial and commercial establishments, including religious and chari
table institutions, was promulgated by the Government of Uruguay
on December 10, 1920. This law provides two types of rest: (1)
An obligatory day of rest after six da}^s of labor, preferably on
Sunday; and (2) a rest day every six days, or after five days’
work, to be taken in rotation by the personnel of the establishment.
Exceptions to the requirement that the rest day be on Sunday
are permitted in certain specified instances, as in continuous indus
tries and in those in which Sunday dosing would work hardship
to the public, in which case rest is given on another day of the week,
either simultaneously to the entire personnel or in turns, or as other
wise provided. No exceptions are permitted in the case of women
4
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
and of minors under 16 years of age. I f they can not be given
Sunday rest, they must be given the rotating rest of one day after
every five days’ work. Shops are forbidden to open on the day of
rest, but the department or local council may authorize trading
at fairs and peddling on days of rest.
No one may be employed on his rest day without his consent, and
in case of being so employed he has choice of a compensatory rest
day or at least double pay for the time worked. Under a written
agreement between employer and employee, half of the rest days
due a person employed on his day of rest may be allowed to accumu
late for a vacation.
The law is now applicable to domestic workers and drivers o.f
automobiles and carriages.
Prohibition of Night Work in Bakeries, Spaghetti and Dough
Factories, Confectionery Stores, and Similar Establish
ments
N i g h t work has been the object of a special decree of March 19,
1918, in which the labor of employers and workmen in bakeries and
of workmen only in spaghetti and dough factories, confectioneries,
and similar establishments is prohibited between 9 p. m. and 5 a. m.
Each proved violation of thi^ law shall be punished by a fine of
100 pesos, and of twice that amount in case of repetition.
Seats for Female Employees
T h e furnishing of seats in stores, shops, drug stores, factories,
workshops, and other establishments employing women is made com
pulsory for the use of woman workers, when their work permits, by a
decree o f July 10, 1918.
Violators of this law shall pay a fine of from 5 to 10 pesos for the
first offense and 50 for following offenses.
Old-Age Pension Law
A n o l d - a g e pension law provides for the pensioning of all persons
reaching the age of 60 years, or other persons becoming absolutely
incapacitated and who are indigent, regardless of age. The annual
pension must not be less than 96 pesos and may be paid in cash or
in direct or indirect aid. Foreigners or naturalized citizens having
resided 15 years continuously in the country are entitled to pensions.
The fund for the payment of these pensions is to be derived from
the following sources: (1) A monthly tax of 20 centesimos payable
by each employer for each person employed by him; (2) a surtax
on real estate having a value of not less than 200,COO pesos: (3) a
tax on playing cards of 20 centesimos per pack for imported cards
and 10 centesimos for domestic cards; (4) an increase of 12 centesi
mos per liter of the present tax on imported liquors, absinthe, bitters,
cognac, whisky, etc.; (5) an internal-revenue tax of 60 centesimos
per liter is placed on imported or domestic alcohol, except that in
tended for denaturing; (6) the present tax on imported brandies is
increased 13 centesimos.
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
5
Retirement and Pension for Public-Service Employees and
Laborers
T h e l a w o f October 6, 1919, provides for the pensioning of all
employees who are now or may be hereafter employed in the rail
road, telegraph, street railway, telephone, and water and gas dis
tributing services in the Republic. Employees in restaurants and
confectioneries, adjuncts of the railroad service, are included, even
though employed by concessionaires.
The fund is supported by an assessment of 8 per cent on all wages
and earnings of the employees, payable by the employers; a compul
sory deduction of 4 per cent of wages paid; donations and legacies
left to the fund; fines collected for violation of this law; receipts
from sales of articles left on the railroads and railways; overpay
ments not reclaimed within six months; interest on accumulated
funds; the increase in wages of an employee or laborer the first month
after wages are increased, providing such wages exceed 50 pesos, if
permanent, and, after three years, a tax of from 1 to 3 per cent on
charges paid by patrons of the various services.
To be entitled to retirement with full pension a service of 30 years
is required, but a right to a proportional pension is acquired after
10 years of service, continuous or not, in any of the mentioned serv
ices, if the employee is (1) discharged, (2) physically incapacitated
to continue in his employment, or (3) 50 years of age, whether at
that date in active service or not. Employees in these three classes
are entitled to one-thirtieth part.of full pension for each year of
service.
Provision for Dependents
Upon the death of a contributing employee, the widow, invalid
widower, children, or, if there are no children, the parents, and if
these are not living, the unmarried sisters of the deceased are entitled
to a pension. I f the deceased was in receipt of a retirement pension,
the persons enumerated are entitled to a pension subject to the fol
lowing conditions:
I f he had served 10 years, the dependents are entitled to a pension
equal to that to which he would have been entitled had he been re
tired for incapacity. I f he had served less than 10 years, the con
tributions are deposited with the State Insurance Bank, which will
grant pensions based upon this sum.
A full pension is equal to 50 per cent of the retirement pension.
Pensions run from date of death. Their sequence is as follow s:
(1) To the widow, or incapacitated widower, concurrently with the
children.
(2) To the children alone.
(3) To the widow concurrently with the parents of the deceased,
provided they were dependent on him.
(4) To dependent parents.
(5) To unmarried sisters, if dependent.
Pensions cease upon the widow’s or mother’s remarriage; when the
sons reach the age of 18 years; when the daughters or sisters reach
the age of 25 years, unless in the former case they are incapacitated.
All pensions terminate upon emigration of the beneficiary.
6
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
In cases (1) and (2) when the right to a pension ceases as to any
one of these, that portion is distributed among the other children
who are beneficiaries.
Dependents may not benefit from more than one pension. In case
they are entitled to more than one pension they may elect which they
will accept.
Retirement and Pension Fund for Employees of Banking
Institutions and the Stock Exchange
A r e t i r e m e n t and pension fund was created for employees of
banking institutions and the stock exchange by the law of May 14,
1.925.
The fund is to be derived from the following sources: (1) A
monthly contribution by the banks and stock exchange of 12 per cent
of the salaries of the employees who join this fund; (2) a compul
sory deduction of 5 per cent from the salaries of such employees;
(3) back payments of 6 per cent of the amount of salaries received
by the employees during the years with which the employee is credited
and of 12 per cent when the payments have to be deducted from his
pension; (4) the difference in salary for the first month in which
an employee receives an increase of salary; (5) a yearly tax of onehalf per 1,000 on the amounts loaned by each bank on mortages,
promissory notes, and overdrafts; (6) interest on accumulated funds;
(7) donations and legacies; (8) fines collected in accordance with
the present law.
Under the following conditions bank employees are entitled to a
pension: (1) At the age of 60 years; but for each year of service
in excess of 30, one year shall be deducted from the age; (2) by
being physically incapacitated; (3) by loss of employment not due
to the immorality of the employee.
A minimum of 10 years’ service is required for obtaining a pen
sion. When an employee dies after 10 years’ service, a pension shall
be granted to his widow and children or in lieu thereof, his parents,
or if his parents do not survive him, his unmarried sisters. This
pension shall consist of 50 per cent of the pension to which the de
ceased would have been entitled at the date of death, increased by 10
per cent for each minor child, until reaching as a maximum the full
amount of the pension. The above-mentioned heirs shall be paid as
a bonus, an amount equal to six months of the full salary of the
deceased at the time of death.
National Labor Office
A d e c r e e of October 10, 1919 describes in detail the manner in
which the Uruguayan Labor Office is to be administered and the
personnel intrusted t h e r e w i t h , including among others a director, an
assistant director, a secretary, and an inspector general and his aides.
The office whose principal functions are the inspection and regulation
of social legislation, has special sections devoted to industrial acci
dents and the employment of women and children.
7
I.ABOB LEGISLATION IN URUGUAY
W ORKM EN’S COMPENSATION LAW
LAW OF NOVEMBER
26,
1920
I
C h apter .— Conditions necessary for the application of the principles of this
law.
Employer's civil liaMUty. A rticle 1. Any employer responsible fo r the carry
ing on of the industries or the execution o f works included under the provisions
of the present law is liable at civil law for any accidents to his workers arising
out o f or in the course of the employment in the manner determined by the
follow ing articles.
Who is an em ployer— W ho is a w orker.— A r t . 2. For the purposes of the
present law, by employer is meant any person, enterprise, or company that
utilizes the labor of workers, irrespective o f their num ber; and by worker,
anyone who habitually performs manual work on another’s account outside of
his own home.
A rt. 3. Employees, minors under 21 years o f age, and apprentices shall be
considered workers*
W ork covered by the law.— A rt . 4. All workers who suffer accidents and who
are engaged in the industries or occupations specified herein have the right to
com pensation: [Arranged alphabetically in Spanish.]
{a) Oils (factories) ; aqueducts (w orks) ; sharpeners (w orkshops) gravelers (w orks) ; agriculture (persons exposed to danger from machines) ; mineral
waters (enterprises) ; wires (manufacture) ; masonry (w orks) ; culverts
(w orks) ; alcohols (factories) ; pottery (manufactures o f) ; fiber sandals (fa c
tories) ; amphibians (hunting o f) ; sands (extraction o f) ; elevator operators;
clays (extraction and w ork in g ); sawmills; sawdust (fa c to r ie s ): asphalters
(w o r k s ); asphalt (fa c to r ie s ); shipyards; harness (w ork sh ops); automobiles
( repairs).
(&) Scales (factories) ; floor tiles (factories) ; ballast (extraction) ; ferry
men; barracks (o f every k in d ); varnishes (fa c to r ie s ); trunk factories;
beverages (fa c to r ie s ); warehouses; pump factories; fire fighters; forests
(exploitation o f) ; divers.
(c) Stables; electric transmission cables (laying, repair, and maintenance) ;
coffee (preparation); box factories; boilers (installation and construction );
braziers; heating (installations) ; footwear (factories and workshops) ; streets
(cleaning) ; metal beds (manufacture) ; roads (construction, repair, and main
tenance) ; quarries; conduits for gas or running water (laying) ; freight (enter
prises) ; carpenters; bill posting (enterprises) ; pasteboard (factories) ; cement
(fa c to r ie s ); pork (p rod u cts); breweries; brushes (fa c to r ie s ); varnishes
(preparation) ; chocolates (preparation) ; cigars and cigarettes (manufactur
ing) ; circuses (workers other than perform ers) ; nails (factories) ; glue
(manufacturing) ; spring mattresses; drivers of vehicles (on a salary or wage) ;
confectioners; preserves (factories) ; construction in general, on land or sea;
stone-cutting; corsets (factories) ; hides (m anipulation); tanneries.
(d) Wrecking of buildings; warehouses o f all kinds; dry-dock w orkers;
unloading (en terprises); distilleries; dikes; dredging; drugs (factories and
warehouses) ; sweetmeats (factories).
(e) Building construction (entire personnel, irrespective of occupation) ;
electricity (en terprises); grain elevators; packing of merchandise or fru it;
bookbinding; excavations; brooms (m anu factu ring); stone carvers; patent
medicines (m anufacturing); stevedores of all kinds; explosives (making and
handling).
(f ) Factories producing: Oils, alcohol, sawdust, asphalt, scales, floor tiles,
varnishes, beverages, purses, metal beds, coffee, footwear, cements, brushes,
chocolates, cigars, cigarettes, nails, glue, spring mattresses, preserves, belts (fo r
machinery), creolin, drugs, sweetmeats, paste (library), brooms, explosives,
hard-tack, crackers, caps, guano, ice, inflammable substances, soaps, mosaics,
ammunition, paper, perfumes, paintings, pork products, vehicles, clothing, soda,
hats, tobaccos, fabrics, candles.
(g) Shed builders; hard-tack and crackers (factories) ; livestock (slaughter
ing and meat preserving) ; gas (production and installation) ; caps (factories) ;
guano (factories).
(h ) Ice (fa c to r ie s ); hippodromes (working person nel); tin shops; molds
(fa cto rie s ).
(i) Printing; inflammable substances (where made and used industrially).
( j ) Soaps (factories).
—
;
8
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
(I) Bricks (ovens and fa cto rie s ); steam laundries; liquor shops; lithog
raphy.
( m ) Lumber (mills, exploitation, cutting, and measuring) ; machines (w ork
shops h a v in g ); marble w orks; slaughterhouses; messengers (en terprises);
metal w ork; mines; m ills; motors (use o f ) ; mosaics (fa c to r ie s ); furniture
stores; furniture (factories, workshops, e tc .); moldings (con stru ction );
ammunition ( factories).
( p) Bakeries; paper (m ills ); lightning rods (placing, maintenance, and
repair) ; paving (construction, maintenance, and repair) ; perfumes (factories) ;
fishing (enterprises) ; weighing (enterprises) ; workmen in commercial enter
prises; stones (w ork in) ; piles (placing) ; painting (factories) ; feather dusters
(factories) ; pork (products) ; wells (diggers) ; bridges (general w ork) ;
chemical products (factories).
(q) Chemicals (manufacture of products).
(r ) Electric transmission systems; sugar refineries; repair o f buildings
(entire personnel) ; repair o f railw ays; vehicles
(factories) ; clothing
(factories).
(«) Salting establishments (salted meats and fish) ; land drainage (w orks) ;
tallow (products) ; mechanical saws (use o f) ; soda (factories) ; hats (fa c
tories) ; stud farm s (w orking personnel).
( t ) Tobacco (fa c to r ie s ); saddleries; stone and marble carving; tapestry
shops; theaters (service employees) ; fabrics (factories) ; telephones (w orks) ;
telegraph (w o rk s ); dyeing establishments; submarine w ork; land and water
transportation; crews of ships (warships excluded).
(u) Factories in general.
( v) Shipyards; candles (fa c to r ie s ); railw ays; windowpanes (making and
settin g).
Industries similar to those just enumerated, and, in general, all industrial
enterprises or occupations which involve the use of power other than man power.
The executive authority shall have the power, at any time, to increase the
number of industries or occupations included in this article.
Dom estic and other kinds of service. — A rt . 5. Liability is extended to domestic
work and to other services which employers may require o f their workers or
employees in establishments belonging to them.
Home work.— A r t . 6. The worker who, in his own home, works for another,
is not included under the provisions o f the present law by the fact that he is
occasionally assisted by one or more of his fellow workers.
Rights of worker. — A r t . 7. A worker protected by the present law shall have
no other remedies against the employer in case of an industrial accident than
those accorded him under this laiv, unless the accident was brought about by
fraud on the part o f the employer.
Maximum compensation. — A rt . 8. Persons covered by this law whose annual
earnings exceed 750 pesos shall be entitled under its provisions only to the
benefits fixed for a salary of that amount, which for legal purposes, is fixed
as the maximum.
When entitled to compensation.— A rt. 9. In order to be entitled to com
pensation, other than the medical care accorded him under this law, the accident
must have rendered the worker incapable of working for more than seven days
including holidays.
Loss of right.— A rt. 10. The worker does not lose his right to claim com
pensation under the present law because the accident may have occurred through
a slight or serious fault on his part, or by some fortuitous event or force
majeure, but he does lose it if he deliberately caused the accident.
I f the accident was due to force majeure, foreign to the work, the employer
shall not be required to pay com pensation; but if the worker claims compensa
tion, the employer must prove that the accident occurred through the cause
mentioned.
In default o f this proof, the worker shall be entitled to the compensation due.
Action against third parties causing accident.— A rt . 11. In addition to the
action against the employer, accorded by the present law, the injured employee
or his lawful heirs retains the right to claim damages for the injury against a
third party responsible for the same under provisions of the Civil Code.
By a “ third party ” is understood any person other than the employer and
his employees and workers.
The compensation obtained from a third party, under the provisions of this
article, shall reduce the obligation of the employer in an amount equivalent to
the amount of damages awarded.
W O RKM EN ’S COMPENSATION LAW
9
In case the accident has produced a permanent disability or the death o f the
worker, said compensation shall be in the form o f an annuity, the capital
required to produce same being deposited in the State Insurance Bank.
Action against a third party responsible [for the accident] may be brought
by the employer at his own expense and in the name and place o f the injured
employee or his lawful heirs. In case it is brought jointly by the injured
employee or his lawful heirs and the employer, they shall plead jointly being
represented by a common attorney. In case o f the intervention of the State
Insurance Bank, the party designated by this institution shall have preference.
Invalid contract.— A rt . 12. Any labor contract relieving the employer from
liability for accidents that may occur, or which is not in conform ity with the
provisions o f this law, shall be null and void.
Compulsory insurance for Govermnent employees. — A rt . 13. The State, the
provincial governments, and other bodies corporate having charge of public
enterprises are subject to the obligations imposed by this law on the employer,
when they have persons in their service perform ing the work specified in
article 4 and are required to insure such persons in the State Insurance Bank.
C h apter II.— Compensation for industrial accidents
A rt. 14, The compensation for industrial accidents provided for in this law
shall be governed by the follow ing provisions:
Temporary disability
(a ) In case o f temporary disability the worker shall
be entitled to a daily compensation equal to h alf the wages or remuneration
paid him at the time of the accident, counting from the eighth day follow ing
the accident provided that the disability has lasted more than one week.
When the disability lasts for more than 30 days, the compensation shall be
paid from the day follow ing the accident.
Permanent partial disability
(b ) In case o f permanent partial disability
the worker shall be entitled to a life annuity equal to half the wage reduction
caused by the accident.
Permanent total disability.— (c ) In case o f permanent total disability the
worker shall be entitled to a life annuity equal to two-thirds o f his annual
pay ( full pension).
A rt. 15. When the permanent partial disability does not amount to 10
per cent reduction of ability to carry on the trade, an annuity shall not be
granted.
Cure or healing of wound.— A r t . 16. The compensation for temporary dis
ability ceases at the time of complete cure or when the wound is healed. In
the latter case, if there is permanent disability, the amount o f the annuity shall
be determined at once.
D eath*o f worker.— A rt . 17. I f the accident results in the death o f the worker,
his lawful heirs shall be entitled to an annuity in accordance with the following
provision s:
W ho are entitled to annuity.— 1. A life annuity, equal to 20 per cent o f the
annual wages or remuneration, for the surviving spouse if not divorced or
separated, provided the marriage took place prior to the accident.
An annuity will be given the husband, only when he can prove his incapacity
for work.
2. An annuity, to be determined in accordance with the following provisions,
for children under 16 years o f age who were supported by the worker, when
this fact is duly proved, irrespective of their legal relationship to him.
P roof shall not be necessary when such minors are legitimate or illegitimate
children of the deceased worker.
3. Minors shall be considered as: satisfying the conditions in the preceding
paragraph o f this article, if they are descendants or collateral relatives even
to and including the third degree o f the deceased worker, and have lived in the
same household with him.
(a )
If the minors have a surviving father or mother, the annuity shall be
15 per cent of the annual wages, if there is only one c h ild ; 25 per cent if there
are tw o ; 35 per cent if there are th ree; and 40 per cent if there are four or more.
(&) I f neither father nor mother survives, the annuity may be as much as
20 per cent of the annual wages for each o f them.
Loss o f rights by surviving spouse.— A rt. 18. The surviving spouse shall lose
all right to the annuity on contracting another marriage. In this case he
[or she] shall receive as final compensation tw o years’ annuity.
.—
.—
10
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
All right to the annuity or compensation shall be lost if he [or she] should
fail to conduct himself or herself properly.
Amount of annual annuity.— A rt . 19. The annual annuity granted under
article 17 to persons mentioned therein, may in no case exceed two-thirds of
the annual earnings. I f the total amount o f the annuities should exceed
two-thirds of said earnings, each annuity shall be reduced proportionately,
so that together they will not exceed the amount fixed as the full annuity.
Case in which ascendents are entitled to annuity— Art . 20. I f the deceased
worker does not leave any o f the beneficiaries specified in article 17, ascendents
who were supported by him shall be entitled to a direct life annuity equivalent
to 10 per cent of the annual wages for each, the total amount, however, not to
exceed 30 per cent o f the annual earnings. I f the total should exceed this
sum, the annuities shall be reduced as provided in article 19.
Payment of annuities.— A rt . 21. The payments of compensation for industrial
accidents shall be made monthly, and shall be nontransferable and unattachable.
Expenses for medical attendance and 'burial.— A rt . 22. The employer shall
also bear the expenses of medical attention and burial of the worker who
dies as the result o f an industrial accident. The burial expenses shall in no
case exceed 40 pesos. The granting of free medical and pharmaceutical treat
ment shall also include appliances necessary to the success of the treatment
or for lessening the consequences of the injuries.
Prescription.— A rt . 28. Action for compensation shall lapse two months from
the date of the accident.
C h apter III. — Special rules for determining amount of compensation
Basis of calculation.— A rt . 24. The annuity shall be calculated on the basis
o f the annual remuneration received by the injured employee as wages or
pay during the last year o f his employment in the establishment.
A rt . 25. I f the worker has not been employed in the establishment during
a whole year prior to the accident, the compensation shall be determined on
the basis o f the annual remuneration received by workers of the same class
in the same establishment or similar ones near by.
In case this determination should not be possible, the average wage received
by the worker during his stay in the establishment shall be multiplied by 300.
Apprentices and young persons under 21.— A rt . 26. Apprentices and workers
under 21 years of age receiving no remuneration, or that which is less than
the pay of other ordinary workers, shall be entitled, in case o f permanent dis
ability, to compensation calculated on the basis of 300 times the lowest wage
earned by the ordinary workers in the same establishment or in a similar one
in the same locality.
By “ ordinary worker ” is understood one who performs all kinds of work
pertaining to his trade or profession, without being exceptionally skilled therein.
In the matter of temporary disability o f a worker under 21 years of age, the
amount of compensation shall be calculated on the basis of the actual wages o f
such worker.
P iecew ork,— A rt . 27. I f the worker was paid by the piece, the annual wage
shall be calculated by multiplying by 300 his average daily earnings during the
last three months preceding the accident.
In case this determination is impossible, the ordinary wage o f able-bodied
workers shall be taken as a basis.
Preexisting partial disability.— A rt . 28. If a worker who has become perma
nently and totally incapacitated for work by an accident was, prior to the
accident suffering from a physical injury or defect which partially incapacitated
him for work he shall be entitled to an annuity equal to half the reduction in his
wages resulting from such accident, or to two-thirds of the usual earnings o f
workers in similar employment in the locality.
Computation of tips and bonuses.— A rt . 29. I f in the industry or occupation
to which the worker belongs, tips or bonures which he receives from the em
ployer or customers are habitually taken into account in his remuneration, such
tips and bonuses shall be considered in establishing the basic wage, except
when such gratuities were only occasional.
W hat is understood by wages.— A r t . 30. By “ w a g es” is meant, for the pur
poses of this law, the remuneration rer-eived by the worker from the employer for
his work. When the worker is paid, wholly or partly, in kind, either in food,
in the use o f dwellings or in any other form, in determining his wages the said
remuneration shall be computed at its average value in the locality.
W O R K M E N ’S COMPENSATION LAW
11
31.
Settlement of d isputes— A rt.
Disputes occasioned by the fixing of. the
basic wage shall be decided by the judge within 10 days follow ing the report
the National Labor Office. They shall be decided by separate award and
without waiting for the settlement of other disputed questions.
to
C hapter IV .— Procedure in case of accident
R eport o f accident.— A rt. 32. Every accident which incapacitates a worker
for employment for more than three days must be reported by the employer
before the fifth day, including Sundays and holidays, to the justice o f the
peace in the district where the accident occurred.
A rt. 33. The worker injured in the accident, or his representatives, may
also report it to the same magistrate within two weeks.
Medical certificate.— A rt. 34. If, after two weeks follow ing the accident, the
worker has not gone back to work, the employer is required to present to the
justice of the peace to whom the report was made a medical certificate showing
the worker’s condition, the probable consequences of the accident and the ap
proximate date when the final result thereof may be known.
Item s to be contained in report.— A rt. 35. The report must give the name and
address o f the employer, the location of the establishment, the time at which
the accident occurred, its nature, the surrounding circumstances, the nature of
the injuries, the name, address, age, and civil status of the injured worker, and
the names and addresses o f witnesses who were present at the accident or
had knowledge thereof.
Judicial inquiry.— A r t . 3 6. Immediately n^ter the presentation o f the report,
the justice of the peace shall commence a summary inquiry, taking testimony
of the injured employee if his condition permits, and also o f the employer and
the witnesses.
He shall make inspections in cases requiring attention, and shall order the
technical investigations and medical examinations that may be necessary.
In case o f death, and on the petition of the party concerned, he shall order
an autopsy to be perform ed within 48 hours.
Inform ation to be furnished in judicial, mquirp.— A rt. 37. The justice of the
peace shall endeavor to secure proof o f :
(a ) The cause, nature, and circumstances o f the accident.
(b ) The persons injured in the accident, where they can be found, and the
place and date of their birth.
(c) The nature of the injuries.
(d ) The persons who under articles 17 and 20 of this law , are entitled to
compensation in case of the worker’s dea th ; likewise the date and place o f
birth of the same; they shall procure from the civil register’s office the proper
certificates, which shall be issued free of charge.
(e ) The daily and annual wages o f the injured workers.
( f ) In the case o f apprentices or workers under age, he shall also' endeavor
to secure proof o f the wages o f ordinary workers employed in the same estab
lishment or in similar ones in the locality.
A rt . 38. The summary inquiry shall be begun with the knowledge o f the
parties concerned, who may demand any judicial proceedings they may con
sider necessary.
A rt. 39. In lawsuits and disputes arising between the employer and the
injured worker, or his lawful heirs, the departmental judge (ju ez letrado
departamental) shall be the competent authority, in the first instance, to render
a decision and the justice o f the peace of the district in which the accident
occurred shall forw ard the report of the summary inquiry to such departmental
judge.
An appeal from his decision may be taken to the court o f appeals, whose
decision shall be final.
An appeal shall be granted only by sending it back to the lower court for
a new trial.
Procedure.— A rt. 40. The procedure in such cases and in all disputes arising
in connection with the application o f this law, shall be that established by the
Code o f Civil Procedure fo r actions fo r possession.
Document closing the investigations.— A rt. 41. I f the two parties come to an
agreement, the justice o f the peace shall prepare a document to be signed by
the interested parties, describing the accident and fixing the compensation due
the injured worker. The agreement shall be invalid if the legal adviser o f the
12
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
National Labor Office has not had a part therein and the document must be
signed by him, or by the fiscal agent if the accident occurred outside the capital.
I f the worker injured in the accident resides outside the capital of the
Department, the fiscal agent may appoint some one to represent him.
A rt. 42. The record that closes the summary inquiry shall likewise state
whether there is ground for compensation, or whether the victim has received
the whole amount due him, and if he has recovered.
Revision.— A rt . 43. In cases where, after fixing the compensation death
results from the accident and also in cases where the disability becomes greater
or less, the injured worker or his lawful heirs, and also the employer, may
demand a revision of the judicial decision as to the nature o f the accident and
o f the amount of the compensation.
Proceedings for revision may be instituted not later than a year follow ing
the final decision or the agreement of the parties before the justice of the peace,
and may be renewed each year until the disability is declared final rind
unchangeable.
The procedure to be follow ed shall be that for actions for possession, and
the case shall be brought before the departmental judge.
The lawful heirs may institute proceedings to substitute the obligations
imposed on the employer by article 14 for those imposed on him by article 17.
The worker may institute proceedings to obtain an increase o f the annuity,
and the employer, to obtain a decrease in or relief from the obligations imposed
upon him by the first decision or by the agreement entered into before the
justice o f the peace.
C h apter V,— Provisions tending to insure payment of compensation
Privileged credit.— A rt. 44. The sums due to the injured workmen or his law
ful heirs for medical attendance and compensation, shall be privileged as
provided in clause 4 o f article 2369 of the Civil Code and of clause 4, article
1706 of the Commercial Code.
Insured workmen.— A rt . 45. I f the employer proves, by means of the policy,
that he has insured his workers in the State Insurance Bank, said worker has
no right of action against him on account o f accidents covered by the present
law.
In such case the worker shall have a right o f action only against the State
Insurance Bank, in accordance with this law.
A rt. 46. The State Insurance Bank, in the risks which it covers, shall be
substituted for the employer as to all the rights and obligations resulting from
the present law, and may hold the employer responsible when he has not
complied with existing laws and regulations concerning the prevention of in
dustrial accidents.
Uninsured workers.— A rt. 47. An employer who has not taken advantage of
the permission to insure his liability arising from occupational risk, under the
provisions of the present law, shall be required to deposit in the State Insurance
Bank an amount equal to the annuity or annuities owed, within 10 days from
the agreement of the parties before the justice of the peace, or from the de
cision rendered. The deposit of the said amount may be demanded by the
interested party or by the State, following the judicial proceedings.
A rt. 48. The capital representing the value o f the annuities shall be calcu
lated according to the tables adopted by the State Insurance Bank.
Proceedings gratuitous to worker.— A rt . 49. The summary inquiry, and also
the judicial proceedings initiated for the purpose of complying with the present
law, shall be entirely free to the protected worker by the legal adviser o f the
National Labor Office.
The worker shall also be relieved from the payment of stamp duties, and may
authorize action on his behalf by the public official who represents him in the
case, by means of a simple letter attested before the notary when it is presented.
Privation o f benefit.— In case a worker is found guilty of feigning illness
from an accident or of having intentionally caused it, he shall be deprived
o f all benefits.
Advising the worker. — A rt . 50. The National Labor Office shall advise the
worker and furnish him with the forms for the documents or statements which
he has to submit to the judicial authorities in order to secure the rights
accorded him by the present law. In case of controversies that require the inter
vention of an attorney for the defense of a worker’s rights, the National
W O RKM E N ’S COMPENSATION LAW
13
Labor Office shall furnish one, For this purpose there shall be created the
position of attorney in the National Labor Office, whose duties shall be regu
lated by the executive authority within the limits set forth in this law. The
monthly salary o f the attorney shall be 150 pesos and he shall be appointed
by the executive authority. Outside the capital,, until special officials charged
with the same advisory functions are designated, the defense of the worker
shall be in charge of the fiscal agents.
W orker’s action against insurer.— Art. 51. The worker may bring an action
directly against the insurer under article 1256 o f the Civil Code.
C h apter VI.— General provisions
W ork not included— IIow employer may take advantage of the law,— A rt. 52.
Any employer who undertakes operations in which workers are employed, but
who for any reason is not included under the provisions of this law, may come
thereunder by enrolling in a register which shall be kept for such purpose by
the National Labor Office.
The enrollment is revocable and shall be without effect if the employer
notifies said office in person to cancel it, but in this case obligations contracted
while the enrollment was in force shall continue.
Judges’ investigations.— A rt. 53. The justices of the peace shall send, every
month, to the National Labor Office detailed notes of the investigations of
industrial accidents, of their results, and of the proceedings arising out of
said investigations.
Penalties for not reporting accidents.— A rt. 54. An employer who, having
knowledge of the occurrence of an accident to one of his workers protected by*
this law, fails to report the same to the justice of the peace, shall pay a fine
of from 25 to 100 pesos.
In case of repetition, the fine may be increased to 600 pesos.
Penalties for concealing or falsifying wage.— A rt. 55. An employer who con
ceals or falsifies the wage of his workers shall be punished by a fine of from
100 to 2,000 pesos, under article 36 of the Civil Code.
Obligation of w orker receiving compensation.— A worker receiving compensa
tion for permanent disability shall be required to make a monthly written
statement to the State Insurance Bank regarding the places where he works
and the wages or remuneration which he receives. Any false statement in
this respect shall be a sufficient cause for the discontinuance of the compensa
tion.
D octors of public health service and of civil service.— A rt. 56. Doctors of the
public health service and those of the civil service shall be required to advise
the judicial and administrative authorities, or the State Insurance Bank, when
ever called upon, on all medical and legal questions arising under the present
law.
Labor a/rbitration.— A rt. 57. Every industrial dispute which arises under this
law in respect to the extent of the Injuries and their probable results shall be
submitted to arbitration in accordance with article 533 of the Code of Civil
Procedure.
Residence condition.— A rt. 58. Persons protected by the present law shall be
entitled to the annuity only if they lived in the territory of the Republic when
the accident occurred and wThile they remain therein. If they move therefrom,
they shall lose the right to the annuity, and receive,as full compensation an
amount corresponding to three years’ annuity.
Occupational diseases.— A rt. 59. This law shall not apply to occupational
diseases.
Employer's exem ption from formalities of procedure.— A rt. 60. An employer
who, under the present law, has insured his workers against industrial acci
dents in the State Insurance Bank, shall be exempt from the formal procedure
prescribed therein for cases of accident, provided he shall give notice of the
accident to the offices of the said institution in Montevideo within 48 hours, or,
if he is outside of the capital, shall send a registered letter within the same
period. The bank shall proceed to make the proper report.
W orker's medical attention.— A rt. 61. The injured worker who is insured in
the State Insurance Bank shall be required to accept the medical attention
provided or prescribed by that institution in each case, unless lie procures
such attention at his own expense or through a mutual aid society, without
prejudice to the right of the bank to supervise the progress of the injuries,
43796°— 29------ 2
14
I jABOB LEGISLATION OF TJEUGTJAY
The services of the national public health officials shall be gratuitous to the
bank.
Pow ers of inspect errs.— A rt. 62. The inspectors of the State Insurance Bank,
those of the National Labor Office and officials designated by the executive
authority shall have free access to all work places for the purposes o f insuring
compliance with the provisions concerning accident prevention.
Administration workers.— A rt. 63. Workers insured in the State Insurance
Bank who are employed by the national administrative authorities, shall not
receive from the latter while under medical treatment for temporary disability
and so long as it lasts, any other remuneration than that fixed by the present
law.
Use of fines and retained salaries.— A rt. 64. The sums derived from fines
imposed by this law and the amount of the salaries of workers employed by
the national administrative authorities retained by virtue of the preceding
article, shall be used to increase the resources o f the National Public Health
Department.
C h apter V II.— Temporary provisions
A rt. 65. This law shall come into force six months after its promulgation by
the executive authority.
ACCIDENT-PREVE'NTION LAW
LAW OF JULY 21, 1914
W ork included.— A r t ic le 1. Managers of industrial establishments, directors
of construction work of all kinds, those who operate mines and quarries and
any other work in which there is danger for the operatives, are required, from
the promulgation of the present law, to take measures for the defense and
safety of the workers, in order to prevent accidents caused by the use o f
machines, gears, etc.. and also by defects in the general installations.
Such measures shall be those prescribed by the regulations to be issued by the
executive authority, who shall issue specific regulations for each industry or
group of analogous industries.
These regulations shall be revised from time to time, in order that they
may be modified or amplified as suggested by knowledge and experience.
Technical inspection.— A rt. 2. The mechanical elements of work which
because o f its dangerous nature is liable to cause injury must be inspected
whenever it is considered necessary.
Engines, wheels, turbines, etc.— Art. 3. The places where steam engines,
wheels, turbines, or other power-producing mechanisms are used, must be
isolated from the places in which the other activities of the shop are carried on
Access to said places shall be permitted only to persons intrusted with the
supervision or technical management of the equipment.
Women and children.— A rt . 4. Women and children may not be employed in
the cleaning or repair o f running motors, machines, or other dangerous trans
mission agents.
Gears, belts, etc.— A rt . 5. All mechanical gears, belts, etc., which act w ith
running m otors that are dangerous, shall be surrounded by railings, gratings, or
defensive screens.
P rojecting parts, etc.— Art. 6. Projecting parts of the machines, sharp in
struments, and the like shall be thoroughly protected.
Masonry, etc.— A rt. 7. Where masonry work, painting and decorating, or re
pairs in general, are done at a height of more than 3 meters, the platform s
used in such work shall be provided with guards 96 centimeters high on each
side.
Supervision of law.— A rt. 8. The Labor Office shall be charged with the
supervision of the application of the provisions o f the present law in the
Department of the capital [M ontevideo]. In the other Departments this work
shall be in charge of the municipal government.
The bureaus named have ample power to employ, to chat end, the personnel
thereof.
Fines.— A rt. 9. Any establishment that fails to observe or does not obey the
requirements of this law, f. iall be fined 50 pesos, for each offense reported.
(See law of May 29, 1916, fixing the procedure for the imposition of fines.)
ACCIDENT-PPvEVENTION LAW
15
Local governments.— A rt . 10. The State and municipal local governments are
required to adopt, for the protection of the workmen in their employ, all pre
cautionary measures possible in the light of the progress of science and tech
nology.
Employer's liability.— A rt. 11. In case of accident, noncompliance with the
provisions prescribed by the regulations relative to the application of this law
shall render the manager or employer civilly liable. (See law o f November
26, 1920, concerning workmen’s compensation.)
In such case the managers or employers shall compensate the injured employee
or employees or their lawful heirs in the manner provided by the Civil Code,
and the fact of the workmen being insured against accident shall not remove or
in any way m odify such liability.
A r t . 12. This law shall become effective six months after its promulgation.
A rt. 13. The executive authority shall issue regulations under the present law.
REGULATORY DECREE OF A P R IL 14, 1915
A rticle 1. Workshops, factories, and all establishments or shops in which
work is carried on, and also work in the construction of buildings and any other
class of work in which workmen are employed, shall be subject to the follow ing
provisions in addition to those fixed in articles 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the law of
July 21, 1914, concerning accident prevention.
Enteh'prises and industries in general
Motors and dynamos.— I. Motors of all kinds and dynamos shall be installed
in special places or on sites inclosed by railings or barriers. Access to said
special places or isolated sites shall be absolutely forbidden to persons not con
nected with the service o f motors and dynamos. This prohibition must be
called to the attention of the workmen by means of a notice to be posted at
all times in a conspicuous place.
Compulsory signals.— II. Before the operation of the motors or of the trans
missions is begun or resumed, an agreed-on signal must be given which can be
heard clearly in all the rooms in which there are machines or mechanical
apparatus depending on the motors or on the transmissions.
[Added by decree of June 10, 1921:] The signals must be given by means of
megaphones or alarm bells which may be heard clearly wherever there are
workers. Such signals shall consist of a first sound of warning follow ed by an
interval of three minutes and then two more sounds. In industrial establish
ments with different sectors, bells for the main shafting shall be used also, with
megaphones having adequate acoustic properties for the secondary shafting.
III. The mechanism starting or stopping the operation of the motors must be
freely accessible and easily operated.
Machines and transmissions.— IV. The working parts of machines and trans
missions and especially flywheels, connecting rods, gears, pulleys, ropes, friction
wheels and cones, the projecting movable parts, etc., when they may constitute
a danger, and also the other parts of motors and operating machines recognized
as dangerous, must be provided with adequate safety devices. Transmissions
within reach must be protected to a height of 1% meters.
The safety devices must not be removed without express authorization of the
head of the workshop and for definite and purely momentary purposes.
Stationary stairways and elevated platforms which form a part of the work
shop shall be provided with firm railings.
Machines for cutting or chipping, which operate at a very high speed, such as
saws, crushers, planers, surfacers, matchers, lathes, and the like, must be,
so far as possible, placed in such a way that the operator may not be able,
from where he works, involuntarily to touch the dangerous parts.
Oiling or greasing of transmissions or motor.— V. The oiling or greasing of
the transmissions and motor must be done wThile they are not running, except
when such operations are in no way dangerous.
The uprights of the transmissions must not have nails or screw s; the service
platforms and the stairways shall be firmly constructed and kept perfectly
clean, and shall be provided with railings. The stepladders, besides having the
necessary strength, shall be provided with hooks ; at the top and with rubber
nibs or tips at the bottom in such a way as ; o assure their not slipping
during use.
16
LABOR LEGIStiATION OF URUGUAY
Repair or replacing of mechanical parts.— VI. In case of repairs or replace
ment of any mechanical part, immobility of the machines or of the transmission
apparatus must be assured by some means that absolutely prevents the unex
pected resumption of operation.
The same precaution against danger must be used, when necessary, in charg
ing, regulating or cleaning the machine or apparatus.
Special warnings.— VII. By means of special warnings posted in the rooms
where machines or mechanisms are installed, the operators shall be advised to
use close-fitting suits, excluding from their clothing anything loose that might
be caught by the parts in motion.
The operators must also be protected from chance projections, whether of the
parts in motion or of the material in process of manufacture, by those means
which practice has proved to be adequate. Workmen who carry or work
materials which have a high temperature, or who handle substances of high
electric potentiality, must be provided with the necessary appliances for protec
tion which experience dictates.
Clothing near the machines.— V III. Operators are forbidden to lay clothing
near the machines.
H oists, elevators. lifts, cranes, and the like.— IX . Hoists, elevators, lifts,
cranes, and similar machinery must bear a written statement of their tonnage
capacity, and if they are not provided with safety devices they must not be
used for carrying persons.
X. The movable parts of hoists, lifts, and elevators must be so constructed
as to execute without danger the operations for which they are designed.
Elevator shafts at the side o f stairways or passages must be protected in
such a way that no one can inadvertently project his head or body into them.
Entrances to elevator shafts must be provided with doors or barriers, pre
ferably those closing automatically.
Construction and installation of dynamos.— X I. Dynamos must be constructed
in such a way that the wires and the parts designed to carry the current are
well insulated.
Said dynamos may never be installed in a room in which explosive materials,
detonating gases, or inflammable powders are made or handled.
Uncovered conductors of electrical current, whether in the central generating
plants or in the consumption plants, must be out of reach of persons; and if
this condition is not easiiy attainable, they must be protected by adequate
safeguards.
The cross-section of each conductor must be in proportion to the intensity
of the current to be carried, so that excessive heating may be rendered impossible.
In shops where there are conductors of different voltage, they must be
marked with special colors and clearly indicated to the workers by means of
a visible diagram.
Travel passages.— X II. Passages designed for travel in the work places, and
those providing access to the same, must have sufficient height and width so
that workmen may pass without danger of being injured by machines or mecha
nisms in operation.
Pits, pools, and deposits of hot corrosive liquids, when on a level with the
ground, must be covered or protected by a railing.
E xit of workmen.— X III. Necessary measures must be taken for assuring, in
any case, the prompt and easy exit of the workmen from the work places.
R eserves for lighting and lubricating.— X IV . Reserves o f oils and kerosene
for the lighting service or for lubricating the machines, must be stored in
special places, far from boilers, dynamos, and stairways.
The lighting o f establishments must be adequate so that the workmen may
clearly distinguish the machines and transmission apparatus with which they
might come in contact.
Parts of floor nearest to machines.— XV. The parts of the floor which are
nearest to the machines and the space thereunder must be kept in such a
condition that the workmen may run no danger o f slipping or falling.
First-aid supplies-.— X V I. These who conduct enterprises, industries, or con
struction works are required to keep, in establishments wherein the work is
being done, the first-aid supplies required by the Labor Office.
Special provisions for woodworking industries
Em ery works, hard!rood turning, etc.— I. In work ,of any kind which may
result in injury to the eyes (emery, hardwood turning, etc.), the workmen shall
ACCIDENT-PREVENTION LAW
17
wear protective glasses with lenses at least 2 millimeters thick. These glasses
shall be provided by the employer.
Circular saws.— II. Circular saws shall be provided with adequate safety
devices. The connecting rods and cranks of jig saws must be carefully inclosed.
Band saws.— III. Band saws must be covered above and below the work
bench, leaving free only the space required for the work.
Joiner's planes.— IV. For joiner’s planes the cylindrical head shall be adopted,
and in the concave part of the blades a piece of metal inserted which will
leave open only the space required for their functioning.
The cramp irons shall be as close together as the use of the machines will
permit.
Drills.— Y. Above the log drills there shall be fastened a safety ring slightly
larger in diameter than the drill itself; or any other effective means of pro
tection may be used.
Special provisions for metallurgical shops
F orge workers, etc.— I. Forge workers, emery workers, and, in general, all
those who may be injured by particles of iron or coal, shall wear protective
glasses with lenses 2 millimeters thick.
Forges.— II. Forges must be isolated, so far as possible, from the rest o f the
shop, and especially from any inflammable or explosive substance.
Compressed oxygen.— III. The greatest precautions dictated by experience
must be adopted in work using compressed oxygen.
Repair of automobiles.— IV. In automobile repair shops it is strictly for
bidden to go down into the pits with any other light than electric. There shall
be posted at the entrance o f the shop a placard, conspiciously placed, reading,
“ Smoking prohibited,” severe penalties being imposed on workmen who dis
regard such order. There shall always be kept on hand a sufficient quantity
of sand for attacking any fire which starts,
Building and wrecking
Contractor'1s duty.— I. During the foundation work and construction, and
also in the wrecking of buildings, the contractor is required to provide for the
safety o f the workmen, both inside and outside the building and in the imme
diate vicinity.
Beginning of work.— II. The work of construction or o f wrecking must not
begin until the safety devices (scaffolding, etc.) are in order.
Materials of devices.— III. The materials of such devices must be of good
quality and adapted to their purpose, and must be in perfect condition.
W ork on public thoroughfares.— IV. When construction work, excavations,
etc., are being performed on public thoroughfares or adjoining land, they must
be closed to traffic.
Scaffold extending to the street.— V. When the scaffolds extend to the street,
they must be separated from it by means o f a wooden fence, or there shall be
built at a height of 3 meters from the walk a protection roof formed of dove
tailed planks with a minimum thickness of 0.04 meter and sloping toward the
construction.
Foundation work near buildings with shallower foundations.— VI. Where
foundation work is being done at the side of buildings with foundations not
so deep as those under construction, the necessary excavation shall be made
by degrees, the masonry work progressing as the excavation advances.
Shafts and canals.— V II. Shafts and canals must be well supported. Shafts
must be provided with a solid tubing (series o f cast-iron cylinders) which
must not be removed until the coating o f masonry has reached the lower part.
Uprights of scaffolding.— V III. Uprights shall in no case be permitted to be
set at a greater distance than 4 meters a p a rt; they shall be solidly embedded in
the ground at a depth of 0.50 to 1 rneter and shall rest on horizontal braces
or on masonry. In addition they must lean slightly toward the building. In
cross section they shall be 15 by 15 for the first story, and 10 by 10 for the
other stories. When they are formed of various pieces, care shall be taken
that each piece be as long as possible. The joining of these pieces shall be
effected by means of iron hoops or bolts.
Joists.— IX . Joists, which must have a minimum cross section o f l 1/^ by
15, must not be more than 1% meters apart and must be solidly fixed to
IS
LABOR LEGISLATION OP tTBUGTJAY
the uprights by means o f iron hoops or bolts. The uprights are to be joined
together by means of cross-braces in sufficient number.
Planks.— X. Planks must be proportioned to their purpose, and must not
in any case be less than 0.04 meter thick. When it is necessary to join vari
ous planks, the joining must be exact at the edges and overlap at the ends not
less than 0.50 centimeter, and be fastened with nails in sufficient number. The
planks must be secured over the joists in like manner. Each platform shall
not be less than 0.80 meter wide.
Railings on the -platforms.— X I. On the outer side o f each platform, and in
contact with it, there shall be placed a railing formed o f a plank set at right
angles thereto, and on the outer side of the uprights shall be affixed two rails
o f resistant wood, one at 0:7 meter from the platform and the other at 1.4
meters.
Loads on scaffolding.— X II. Scaffolds must not carry excessive loads in re
lation to their strength or be placed unequally. Swing scaffolds must be
loaded as lightly as possible, be firmly fastened to the building, and have safety
rails of a minimum height of 0.40 meter.
Secondary platform.— X III. The platform immediately under another on
which work is in progress must not be withdrawn.
Scaffolds on trestles.— X IV . When work is in progress on scaffolds resting
upon trestles, the latter shall not be more than 2.50 meters apart and shall
be firmly fixed to the ground.
Scaffolds on stairways.— XV. Scaffolds over stairways must not be used except
for light work ( tinning, painting, etc.). They must have safety rails and in
accordance with Article X I must be firmly attached to the building. The
stairways must project not less than 0.80 meter from the part occupied by the
topmost platform.
Gangways.— X V I. Gangways must have a minimum width of 0.80 m eter;
they shall be provided with nailed transverse strips and firm railings, whose
uprights shall be attached firmly to the scaffolding or floor. I f intended for the
transport o f materials, they shall be at least 1.2 meters wide, and there shall be
a landing each two stories as a minimum. Gangways shall have a maximum
si ope of 40 per cent. Care shall be taken, also, to keep them well cleaned.
Openings for ■stairw ays.— X V II. Openings for stairways must be covered tem
porarily until the stairways are in place.
Precautions concerning hoists.— X V III. Workmen engaged at the wheel or
rope of hoists must place themselves at a suitable distance so that they may
not be injured by falling objects.
X IX . If is strictly forbidden to use the hoists for carrying ’persons.
$'• (f ^’ds for outside walls.-—X X . Scaffolds for the repair or construction of
ou«^id' ^ oils must not be removed until the roofing work is completed.
B< 11ri< s or mansard roofs.— X X I. In the construction of belfries or mansard
r< «>f\ ihe highest platform must be placed at least 0.70 meter above the spouts
and must be made of well-joined planks and be provided on the outer side
with a firm railing 0.80 meter high. In new7 constructions, the upper tem
porary floor must not be removed until the completion of the aforesaid work.
Roofing work.— X X II. Workmen engaged in roofing and similar work roust
wear a substantial belt, to which shall be attached a rope fastened at the other
end to a point of sufficient resistance.
Epileptics, drunkards, etc.— X X III, Epileptics, drunkards, or persons suscept
ible to dizziness must not be allowed access to the scaffold.
W recking of old M ildings.—X X IV . All possible precautionary measures shall
be taken in the wrecking of old buildings, care being taken not to overload the
scaffold with debris, which shall be lowered by means o f hoists, tubes, or
skids.
Inspection.— A r t . 2, The Labor Office shall have charge of enforcing compli
ance with these provisions.
A rt. 3. The inspectors and internal revenue officers shall observe in the fa c
tories inspected by them in the line of duty whether or not the requirements
of these regulations are complied with, and shall report to their superiors.
The board of internal revenue shall in each such case transmit the evidence
to the Labor Office.
A rt. 4. Enforcement of the law regarding construction shall be in charge of
- the inspectors of construction who form part of the personnel of the census
section of the board of direct taxes.
In the case of the latter the procedure shall be as established in the preceding
article.
ACCIDEKT-PEEYEJSTTIOlSr LAW
19
Period for conforming to the law.— A rt . 5. Establishments which are found not
to be conforming to the requirements of the law and these regulations shall
appear before the Labor Office and specify the time needed for such conform
ance. After examination of the case and the plea relating thereto the Labor
Office shall transmit the matter for decision to the Department o f the Treasury
[now the Department o f Industries].
REGU LATORY DECREE OF JUNE 25, 1915
Use of explosive substances— factories, mines, quarries
A rticle 1. In order to prevent industrial accidents, the follow ing protective
and safety provisions are approved, and must be complied with by enterprises
which use explosive materials and by the workers in factories, mines, quarries,
etc. Enterprises that handle or apply explosive materials, whether by engaging
in the manufacture, preservation, distribution, or transportation of the same,
or by making use o f said materials, must, in addition to the regulations govern
ing enterprises and industries in general, be bound by those which follow
h erew ith:
Lightning ?~ods.— 1. Every building designed for the manufacture, handling,
or storing of explosive materials must be protected throughout by a sufficient
number of lightning rods, the number to be determined in each case by the
National Labor Office.
Clothing appropriate for the wor~k.— 2. In buildings designed for the manu
facture, handling, or storing of explosive materials, all the workmen, on enter
ing the establishment, must change clothing (footw ear included) and dress
appropriately.
Sandals, fiber sandals ( alpargatas) or sabots ( su ecos) shall be used as work
shoes. The sandals shall have neither nails nor eyelets. The sabots shall have
only the necessary eyelets, which shall be exclusively of tin or copper.
Collection of waste materials.— 3. The waste materials from shops where
explosives are manufactured, manipulated, or handled, shall be carefully col
lected and destroyed or used in accordance with the orders issued by the
foreman.
Doors of shops.— 4. The doors o f the shops must open from within outwards.
During working hours, weather permitting, said doors, in general, must remain
open ; otherwise they shall merely be latched and shall never be fastened by
means of locks or keys.
Drying chambers and stoves.— 5. Drying chambers for explosives and the
stoves shall be exclusively steam or electric. The shops must be lighted only by
electricity. The electric wires must be insulated in such a way as to avoid any
contact between them.
Supplies of explosives.— 6. In the aforesaid shops there must not be a greater
quantity of explosives than is absolutely necessary to continue the work. Any
excess shall be kept in appropriate places at a distance not less than 12 meters.
As soon as the day’s work is completed, all the explosives in the shops (except
ing the drying chambers) shall be taken to the appropriate warehouses.
Fire prevention.— 7. In shops manufacturing or using explosives adequate
measures rhall be taken for the rapid extinction of possible fires.
Pumps, hydrants, and all equipment for the extinction of fires shall always be
kept in perfect condition.
8. The workers are forbidden to smoke or to carry matches or other inflam
mable substances.
■Entrance to warehouses and rooms.— 9. Entrance to warehouses and distribu
tion rooms, and also to the premises for the handling of explosive materials,
shall be permitted only to the employees working therein.
Handling of cartridges and thawing *of explosives.— 10. The handling of
charged cartridges and the thawing o f explosive materials shall be done only
by day and by experienced workmen under the direction of a foreman and
in special rooms situated at a suitable distance from the point where the other
work is performed.
The thawing must be done in appropriate receptacles, heated from the outside
by means o f hot water and in such a way that the water and the explosives
may not come in contact.
It is forbidden to heat explosives for the purpose of drying or thawing them
either by exposing them directly to the fire or by placing them in lighted or
20
I.ABOB LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
heated furnaces. Tlie workers are forbidden to carry dynamite or other such
explosives on the clothing.
Dynam ite.— 11. Dynamite, whether loose or in sticks, which gives forth a
sharp odor or reddish vapors— these being indications of its imperfect prepara
tion or of its chemical change— must be gotten rid of by burying it in damp
ground at a safe distance and then by destroying it so far as practicable.
This destruction must be accomplished by burning the dynamite in small
quantities, arranged in strips or in sticks open at both ends, by means o f a
quick match or sulphur fuze (any cap or fulminating material being absolutely
prohibited) of such size that, when it is lighted, the operator may have time
to get away to a place of safety.
This operation shall be performed in the open air and. in a place free from
rocks, observing all precautions to avoid injuries in case the dynamite should
explode instead of burning slowly.
Precautions against explosives.— 12. In places of storage or of safe-keeping,
and also in the transportation and use of explosives, the workers are strictly
forbidden to smoke or to have with them matches or other inflammable
substances.
Explosive containers.— 13. Chests, casks, or any other receptacle containing
explosives may be opened only by means of instruments made ox wood, copper,
or bronze.
Mines and quarries.— 14. In mines and underground quarries the distribu
tion and delivery of explosive materials must be made by those charged ex
pressly with this work, in quantities not exceeding the requirement o f each
crew for each day. In all cases the quantity unused shall be returned to the
management by the workmen referred to before leaving the work.
Workmen are absolutely forbidden to carry home the explosives delivered
to them for the work.
Pow der magazines.— So far as possible, powder magazines must be located at
a distant and high place. They shall consist of inclosed premises, with walls
o f slight resistance (o f brick, for example), and shall have a conspicuous sign
readin g: “ Powder magazine.” Powder magazines must be located at least
75 meters from work places.
Carrying of explosives.— 15. Explosive materials may be carried from the
powder magazines to the quarries only in baskets, chests, or metal flasks, care
being taken to separate explosive substances of different kinds, and these from
the fuzes and caps.
For the carrying there shall be observed, also, the following ru les:
(a) The workmen charged with the carrying must, in a loud voice, warn
persons whom they meet on the way.
(b ) The carrying must be performed under the guidance of the foreman.
(c) The workmen carrying the explosives may not carry lights. Those
who accompany them may carry lights that are inclosed.
(cl) The receptacles used for the carrying must be closed.
Use of nitroglycerine.— 16. It is absolutely forbidden to use free nitro
glycerin for charging and exploding blast holes.
Caps and fuzes.— 17. Sticks of dynamite or o f other such explosive materials
must not be provided with caps or fuzes except in the proportion that such
material is being used.
To adapt the cap or fuze, pincers or sma1! pliers, which shall never be of
iron or steel, must always and exclusively be used.
Charging of holes.— 18. The charging of the holes shall be done by means of
ramrods made of wood, zinc, copper, tin, or bronze, it being absolutely forbidden
to use iron, steel, or other substances that may cause sparks.
In order to tamp the holes, only materials which absolutely contain neither
granite, quartz, pyrite, nor metallic nodules shall be used. Sticks of dynamite
or other such explosives may be shoved into the rear of the holes only by means
o f wooden rammers.
The fuzes must be long enough for the workman lighting them to have time
(15 minutes as a minimum) to take refuge in a place of safety, sheltered from
the fragments hurled by the explosion.
Firing of holes.— 19, In general, the holes must be fired and exploded in the
time of inactivity between two shifts of workers, or, at least, at hours fixed in
advance, so that nothing will interfere with taking due precautions.
Precautions to be adopted.— 20. Before firing the holes, the foreman himself
must order all persons to take shelter in a place of safety at a suitable distance
from the holes.
ACCIDElSrT-PREVEKTIOSr LAW
21
21. Notice of the firing of the holes shall be given only by the section chief
or by the workman expressly charged therewith, and all persons in the vicinity
are to be warned to take shelter, giving them the necessary time and letting
them know the number of charges th af are to be exploded.
22. During the explosion of the holes in one quarry, work must be suspended
in the adjoining quarries, and the workmen of the latter must take shelter the
same as if the holes to be exploded were there.
23. In each working quarry the holes must be exploded in such manner that
the explosions may be easily counted, unless the firing is effected simultaneously
by electricity.
24. The workmen intrusted with this work must, themselves, as soon as they
have lighted the fuzes, go quickly to a place of safety, and shall then endeavor
to count the explosions exactly, so as to see if there are any misfires. In case
there are, the aforesaid workmen shall give immediate notice to whoever is in
charge of the work. Meanwhile, no one may enter the quarries in which there
is a misfire, until after the arrival of the section chief and with his permission.
25. I f a hole does not explode, it is strictly forbidden to enter the quarries in
which it is located before the end o f 30 minutes at least.
26. The hole that fails to explode must not have the tamping removed. It
may be made to explode by means o f a charge placed over the first only in case
this operation may be effected without using iron or steel instruments and
without striking against hard substances. In case it is not possible to proceed
in this way, a bomb ( peiardo) shall be planted near the unexploded hole, it
being absolutely forbidden to abandon unexploded holes.
27. After the explosion of one or more holes and although it is certain
(from having counted the explosions) that there is no hole yet to explode, five
minutes must pass before anyone enters the quarries.
28. It is forbidden to charge anew the passages or dugouts o f the holes, if
they have not beforehand been prudently and carefully explored. The explora
tion may be made only in accordance with instructions given by the overseer o<r
his representative.
Protective glasses.-—2d. In the working of mines and quarries the workmen
shall wear protective eyeglasses with lenses 4 millimeters in thickness. These
glasses shall be provided by the employer, and any workman who refuses to
use them shall not be permitted to work.
Railings and wire fence.— 30. In quarries o f more than 1 meter in depth, the
whole outer boundary must be protected by means of railings or a wire fence.
REGULATORY DEGREE OF JUNE 25, 1915
Railiua y enterprises
Protection and safety provisions,— A r t ic l e 1. Approval is given to the follow
ing protection and safety provisions for preventing industrial accidents on
railw ays:
1.
To prevent accidents to workmen in their work on railways the follow ing
provisions must be observed.
(a) Those contained in the regulations for building and wrecking.
(I)) Those contained in the regulations for the prevention o f accidents in
enterprises or industries.
(c) Those established for accident prevention in quarries.
Acts forbidden to employees.— 2. It is also forbidden to the employees of
railw a ys:
(a) To board or alight from cars or locomotives in motion.
(Ij) To get between two cars in order to couple or uncouple them, or to
tighten or loosen them, when both are in motion.
(c) To station themselves, during regular switching work, between two cars.
(d ) To take hold of the buffers and drawbars of cars in motion, and to ride
on the steps of the coaches while the train is moving, except under extraordinary
circumstances involving the safety of the train or in case of having to bring
aid to the passengers.
(e) To remain on the roofs of the cars or to walk over the same when they
are in motion.
( f ) To stand or walk in the middle of the track in front of moving cars;
standing or walking must be done on one side and at a suitable distance.
(g) To remain on the roofs of the coaches, in order to make ready to light
or to extinguish the lights, while the train is in motion.
22
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
Service lantern.— 3. The railways must arrange that each employee engaged
in switching during the night or who, by the requirements of the service, is
required to walk the tracks, be provided with a lighted service lantern.
Loading, carrymg, and unloading.— 4. Stations, storehouses, and warehouses
must be provided with machines, ropes, movable bridges, wedges for blocking
the wheels of the cars, and other appliances for whatever may ordinarily be
required in the work o f loading, carrying, and unloading, by hand, materials
and merchandise which because of their volume or weight may require the
services of more than one man.
Safety hooks.— The doors o f merchandise storehouses, of locomotive and
coach sheds must be provided with hooks and other fixtures, so that they may
be fastened by the workers intrusted with opening said places.
Winches, cranes, etc.— 6. Winches, stationary and traveling cranes, and der
rick cars must bear, in clear and easily seen writing, a statement of their ton
nage capacity, and must, as is the case with the shafting and pulleys, be pro
vided with brakes or other apparatus suitable for stopping operation.
The derrick cars must also bear a statement o f the maximum load which
they can raise without being fastened on the rails.
The management must also ord er:
(a ) That the person placed in charge of the operations, before proceeding to
raise the loads, assure himself of the good condition of the mechanism and of its
regular functioning.
(b ) That the derrick cars be anchored to the rails by means of suitable
apparatus when the weight to be raised so requires.
(c ) That the loads to be raised do not exceed the tonnage of the mechanism.
(d ) That it is forbidden to stand under the raised load when it is either
ascending or descending, and to abandon the machine while there is a load in
the air.
(e ) That on finishing each operation, the employee in charge see that the
hoisting hook of the machine remains in such a position that it may not be
jostled by moving vehicles in the station.
( f ) That the machines above mentioned be inspected every live years, at least.
7. The operations of loading and unloading must not be performed while the
vehicles are in motion. The weight on the vehicles must not be greater than
their tonnage.
Receptacles with inflammable liquids.— 8. The management must require that
the large reserve receptacles containing inflammable liquids, for lighting the
shops, for lubricating the machines, or for other uses, be kept in rooms designed
exclusively for this purpose.
By means of a notice posted on the outside of said rooms, the workmen must
be prohibited from entering or approaching with flame lamps that are not pro
tected by glass globes or in some other way.
The use of free flame lamps must be prohibited, also, in rooms where benzine,
kerosene, or other inflammable liquids are stored or in rooms where there are
gas regulators. In such rooms, as in merchandise storehouses, smoking must
be prohibited.
Supply tanks.— 9. Supply tanks must be provided with safe ladders. W ells
and cisterns on a level with the ground, and excavations for work in the stations,
must be provided with adequate guards.
Stop signals.— 10. Station tracks on which cars are repaired must be pro
tected by stop signals; and engineers must be given notice that they must
observe said signals.
W orkers not in normal condition.— 11. The management must give strict
orders to station masters to demand the retirement of workers who show clearly
that they are not in normal condition, mentally or physically.
Switching.— The management must likewise order that engine switching be
done at a limited speed, in proportion to the means for braking, so that it
may be possible to stop quickly and in a short space, especially at night, when
there is fog, and when the engine is approaching a train ready for leaving.
The switching engines and those running temporarily on the station tracks
must have the regulation lights lit at night.
Departure of train.— 13. Station masters, before giving starting orders to
th- -onductor, shall assure themselves that the train is in running order, as
regards the couplers, brakes, and signals, and that no one is on top, under, or
between the cars.
ACCIDENT-PEEVENTIOlSr LAW
23
Uncoupling of coaches on grades.— 14. In case it is necessary to uncouple
the cars of the train on grades of more than 6/000' the part to be separated
must be provided with a number of brakes proportioned to the highest grade.
Doors of baggage cars.— 15. The panels of the doors of baggage cars, in the
compartments set aside for the employees, must be provided with grab irons
or with inside handlebars, to which it is possible to cling while the train is
running.
Doors of watchmen’s houses.— 16. Fences must be built, or bars or other safe
guards placed in front of the doors of watchmen’s and signalmen’s houses, and,
in general, of building's near the tracks with openings toward the same, in
order that employees may not directly cross the tracks.
Signals to he given by engineer.— 17. The management must see that the
engineer gives a warning signal, by means of the usual whistle, in the following
ca ses:
(a) Before starting the locomotive.
ib) In the vicinity of grade crossings, o f stations, of tunnels, of deep and ex
tensive excavations encountered on a curve, and also on approaching stretches
where the vision is intercepted by plants, houses, or other objects, and when
ever he sees persons or animals on the tracks,
(c)
On approaching a place where work is under way, in the stations or
on the tracks, in which case the warning signals must be given repeatedly in
order to attract the attention of the men engaged on said work.
Excavations near the trades.— 18. Excavations under way near the main
tracks must be performed in sections and after the tracks have been supported
by means of props, a new foundation, or in some other manner.
Running of work cars.— 19. WTork cars shall not be permitted to run without
the necessary employees and under the charge o f the watchman or section chief
of the branch or of some other agent expressly authorized.
They must be run at a speed not exceeding that established in the regulations
and observe every precaution, especially on steep* grades and at grade crossings.
They must be withdrawn or removed from the track 15 minutes at least
before the time fixed for the arrival or passage of a train.
Automatic coupler.— 20. For cars built or imported in the future, automatic
couplers shall be required.
REGULATORY DECREE OF NOVEMBER 15, 1918
Mines
Plans must be presented.— A rticle 1. Any person, company, or enterprise
working mineral veins, peat bogs, or quarries, taking or extracting from the soil
substances covered by the mining code, whether by means o f shafts, galleries,
tunnels, or open trenches, shall be required to present to the office of the inspec
tor of mines and industries, before beginning the work, a plan whose scale shall
not be less than 1 to 100, with horizontal and vertical outlines of the workings
and structures planned, and also o f the installations with suggestions for the
safety of the work to be undertaken, for the purpose o f protecting the workmen
from cave-ins and falling stones and from soft, loose earth appearing on open
ing excavations, shafts, galleries, etc.
Said plan shall be presented in duplicate; one copy shall remain on file in the
office of the inspector o f mines and the other, countersigned by this office, shall
be kept where the work is being performed, in order that it may be shown at any
time to the public officials authorized to conduct inspections.
Changes in plans.— A rt . 2. In December o f each year, or before if there are
changes of importance, the interested parties shall present in writing to the office
of the inspector of mines and industries the changes made, am plifying or chang
ing the plans by others more complete than those of the preceding year. There
must also be presented each six months to the said office of the inspector a
resume of the work accomplished, with an indication o f the nature o f the soils
penetrated, hardness o f the rocks, etc., and, so far as possible, the safety meas
ures adopted with regard to the employees and the work. They shall be re
quired also to present a planimetrical diagram in horizontal and vertical pro
jection, showing the visible veins or definite or supposed beds, in order to be
able to appraise exactly the horizontal and vertical outlines of the work to be
done in relation to the drainage and to prevention of accidents by cave-ins, etc.,
due to pressure, overburdening of the ground, etc, provided this be thought
necessary by the bureau of mines.
24
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
Both the plans for presentation and the statement of the changes referred to
in the present and preceding articles shall be signed by a legally authorized
person.
Abstract of the work.— A rt . 3. Within 30 days after the first publication of
this regulation in the D iario Gficial, the office of the inspector of mines and
industries shall require of all persons or enterprises at present in charge of
active mines the presentation o f the plans provided for in articles 1 and 2,
fixing a time limit, which may not exceed four months, for their presentation.
In case these plans are not presented, the mines office shall have them pre
pared at the expense o f the lessee or owner of the mine, who shall still be liable
to the fine fixed by article 9 of the lav/.
Showing of plans.— A r t , 4. The plans on file in the mines office may not be
shown without the express authorization of the owner or legal representative
o f the concessionary firm or company, but once the concession is declared at an
end, for the causes set forth in the mining code, not only may the plans be
shown, but copies of them may be given to anyone on request, provided the
State should decide not to reserve to itself the right o f operation.
Criticisms of plans.— A rt . 5. The office of the inspector of mines and industries
shall examine minutely the plans presented, and if it should be found that the
projected work or installations offer any danger or do not offer complete safety
to the workers, it shall make a clear statement of the criticisms in the case
and indicate the way in which they are to be met, notifying tlie owner or rep
resentative o f the mine, in order that such things may be remedied within a
specified time, fixed according to circumstances.
Procedure in case of opposition by the interested party.— A r t . 6. In case the
person to whom the criticisms referred to in article 5 are made should not con
sider them reasonable, he shall be required to state in writing to the office of
the inspector of mines and industries the reasons for his opposition.
Said office shall report the matter and shall set forth the precedents relating
thereto for the determination of the department of industries.
Shafts, galleries, ' and openings.— A rt. 7. Shafts, galleries, and openings in
general must be firmly supported, either by iron, masonry, or tubing, when the
nature o f the strata crossed requires it; when the supports are columns or
posts they must be of the required dimensions, be placed one in front of another,
with uniform inclination and on the same vertical plane.
The workers must have constantly within reach a supply of suitable props
and timbers, in case of crumblings or landslides.
Underground or surface work.— A rt. 8. In underground or surface work steep
excavations shall be avoided, but stepped slopes shall be formed, adapted to
the nature of the ground so that at all times they may remain firm and secure
without collapse or break of any sort.
Shafts and inclined planes.— A rt . 9. When in galleries or tunnels shafts or
inclined planes are constructed, they shall be at all times closed by movable
barricades or railings in such a way as to prevent accident to the workers.
These barricades shall be removed, if necessary, while the passage is being used,
but shall be replaced at once after use.
Shafts, galleries, and excavations that have been abandoned are to be closed
in like manner. On that part of the surface where trenches or excavations have
been made suitable parapets, fences, or guards shall be placed, so as to avoid
accident either to persons or to work animals. The exit or exits of the galleries
shall be indicated by means of lamps, illuminated arrows, or other convenient
means, so that in case of danger the workmen can move rapidly toward the
exit.
Use of explosives .— Am?. 10. Explosives used in the operation of mines and
quarries must be kept and used in accordance with the precautions and safety
provisions contained in the regulatory decree of the law relating to prevention
of industrial accidents dated June 25, 1915.
Ventilation of mines.— A rt . 11. Mines must be kept in such a perfect state
of ventilation that the workmen may not suffer from vitiated air or by the
retention of unhealthful gases or noxious fumes or by infiltrations or accumula
tions of water. For this purpose, in every operation where the exits o f gal
leries are not on a level with the ground, or when these galleries are more than
30 meters in length, ventilation shafts or chimneys, 50 meters apart, shall be
provided, which will communicate with other galleries higher up.
I f there are two or more draw shafts, situated at a distance not greater than
100 meters from each other, over the same gallery or over different galleries
in communication, the ventilation shafts between them may be omitted.
ACCIDENT-PREVENTION LAW
25
It, is forbidden to work where the lamps burn with difficulty or are extin
guished for lack of air, and also to work in darkness. Offenders shall be pun
ished by the fines prescribed for such violations by article 105 of the mining
code.
Noxious or explosive gases.— A r t . 12. In cases where noxious or explosive
gases are given off, in addition to proper ventilation by means o f currents of
fresh air or draft, either natural or forced and artificial, the follow ing safety
measures shall be observed:
(a )
There shall not be left, either in the high or the low parts of the mine,
any hollow places where the gases may accumulate.
(&) For lighting, nothing but electric light or safety lamps shall be used.
(c ) The holes shall not be fired until after the workmen have left the mine
and there is assurance that no danger exists for them.
(d ) In lighting fuzes, substances that are capable of burning with a flame
shall not be used.
(e) When safety lamps are used, they must be locked and kept in special
places.
( f) The lamps shall not be handed to the workmen until it is time to begin
the work underground; they shall be locked and in perfect condition ; and it is
forbidden to open the lamps during underground work.
(gt in w oik where inflammable gases are given off or escape, it is absolutely
forbidden io --moke, carry matches, or use anything capable of producing fire.
Pivraitliotiv t gainst explosive of inflammable gases.— A rt. 13. In work where
explosive or i:ill<immable gases are given off or where the ore is susceptible of
catching fire, necessary and proper measures must be adopted for obtaining,
so far as possible, independent ventilation, and the conduits for the entrance
and exit o f the air shall be constructed so as to resist explosions and fire.
W ater or portable pumps which permit o f fighting the fire immediately must
also be kept at hand.
Shafts for passage of ■
t vorkmen.— Ar£. 14. Principal or secondary shafts which
serve for the passage of workmen shall have strong and well-secured stairways
provided with handrails. Workmen shall not be permitted to pass along thes«
stairways while carrying working tools or instruments, but such tools or instru
ments shall be taken to the place designated for their use either before or aftei
the entrance or departure of the workers. In case there is only a main shaft,
the movement of workmen shall be at fixed hours, all raising and carrying of
the ore being deferred during this time.
Stairways.— A r t . 15. The stairways used in shafts must be made with
stringers and steps that are strong and well made. Each flight shall not exceed
5 meters in length, and stairways built in the same workings shall be equal in
width and in distance between steps; they shall rest on strong landings at the
foot, and in the upper part at the entrance they shall be held firmly with spikes
or strong staples.
Landings.— A rt. 16, The landings placed at the end of each flight o f steps
must cover the whole section of the shaft, leaving only the openings necessary
for passing along the stairw ay; these openings shall be placed alternately on
either side of the shaft so as not to be in line one under the other.
Hoisting ore in cages, skips, or buckets.— A rt, 17. In no case may the ore be
hoisted in cages, skips, or buckets by the same shaft used for the passage of
workmen, except when the shaft is divided into sections each o f which is used
for a definite object, such as passage for workmen, and hoisting of ore and fire
fighting apparatus, etc.
A rt. 18. The ore-hoisting apparatus shall be provided with steel cables or
chains of sufficient strength and in a good state o f preservation and properly
greased; they must be inspected frequently, and shall be abandoned when
detects are noted which make their use dangerous.
The cages or buckets, like every apparatus for hoisting ore, shall be provided
with brakes or speed regulators whose efficiency is duly established; they must
be managed by an expert and competent person who is o f age and can read
and write..
Transport of persons in cages, etc.— A rt. 19. Carrying persons in cages, skips,
or buckets intended for the hoisting o f ore is forbidden, as is also using the
cables for the raising or lowering o f the workmen, or hanging from such cables,
Signal system in main shafts.— Art. 20. In main shafts there must be a
signal system, either a bell, whistles, speaking tubes, or electric calls, etc., by
26
LABOR LEGISLATION OP URUGUAY
means of which one may announce to the workmen, and they to the man who
handles the hoisting apparatus, every operation necessary to the service.
The arrangement and the mode of operation o f the signals for the operations
must be exact, and a copy of the system used must be on view at the shaft
entrance and in all work stations for the information of the worker.
A rt . 21. Only those persons are allowed to use the signals who, under the
rules and regulations of each individual mine, are authorized to use them.
Likewise only those persons may approach the shaft entrance and the machines
or boilers who have to do so because of their work.
“ A stilletes:1— A r t . 22, When “ astilletes ” are constructed at the shaft
entrance their framework shall be secure, so that there may be no bending
or other movement from the weight of the load which they must support.
Recesses in underground sections.— A rt. 23. At each side of the galleries or
underground sections where cars are running, if such galleries are not sufficiently
wide, recesses must be provided every 5 or 10 meters, so that workmen on the
track may take refuge therein. Care shall be taken that no workman not
expressly permitted by reason of his duties travels on the platforms or cars that
carry the ore.
Drainage systems.— A rt . 24. Mine operators are required to construct drainage systems and to do all the work necessary for keeping the places dry where
their workmen la b o r; the galleries must have suitable slopes so that water
therein will drain into a special shaft, from which it shall be drawn off
constantly by means of pumps, the employees working by shifts.
Inspection of machines.— A rt . 25. The boilers and the machinery used in
mining work shall be inspected periodically and frequently by the technical
director of the work, and certification shall be made of the result of these
inspections in a book expressly for this purpose, approved by the office of the
inspector of mines and industries.
R eport of accidents.— A rt . 26. The directors or proprietors of the works cov
ered by the present decree, while still,required to give notice to the local
authorities and to comply with the provisions of article 118 of the mining code,
shall report directly to the office of the inspector of mines and industries
every death or serious accident that occurs in the mine. He shall likewise
communicate to the same office every cave-in, flood, or fire, etc.
First-aid equipment.— A r t , 27. In every mine, peat bog, or stone quarry there
must be first-aid equipment, a stretcher, bandages, etc., and everything neces
sary for giving first aid in case of accident.
Infirmary.— A rt . 28. In establishments at a distance from towns there must
be a room for an infirmary, with at least three beds and an emergency surgeon’s
office.
According to the distance of these establishments from towns, the office of the
inspector of mines and industries, after consultation with the public health
service, shall indicate the quantity and quality of the medicines or means of
relief which must constantly be kept on hand.
Medical service.— A rt . 29. Any establishment located at more than 25 kilo
meters from a town and which employs more than 200 persons shall have in its
service a doctor or authorized practitioner who can give first aid to the workers,
in case of accidents occurring during work.
Mechanical treatment of ores.— A rt . 30. In the mechanical treatment of ores,
the safety provisions set forth in articles 2 to 6, inclusive, of the law of July 21,
3914, shall be observed.
A rt . 31. In the reduction of ore, the office of the inspector of mines shall
prepare, in each case, orders relating thereto, according to the system used,
whether blast furnaces, electric furnaces, chemical processes, etc., which, before
being put into practice, must be approved by the Department of Industries.
Inspection.— A rt . 32. In view of the practical and technical nature of the
mining industry, which requires an inspection personnel especially trained in
such matters, the supervision of compliance with the present decree is intrusted
to the office of the inspector of mines and industries.
A rt . 33. Notwithstanding the provision of the preceding article, the National
Labor Office shall have the right of intervention accorded to it by the law of
July 21, 1914.
Fines.— A rt . 34. Cases of nonobservance of these regulations shall be pun
ished by the fines specified in article 9 of the law and the penalties set forth
in the articles of the mining code pertaining thereto.
AOCIDENT-PKEVENTION LAW
27
D ECREE OF MAY 14, 1920
Special W arnings
The special warnings referred to in Section V II of the regulatory decree o f
April 14, 1915 (see p. 16), shall contain the follow ing recommendations fo r the
use of the w orkm en:
Perform ance of the work
Workmen are required:
1. Never to pass, when it can be avoided, through places where machines are
in operation, [and] to walk carefully in passing through the factories and store
houses for the materials.
2. To make sure that the safety appliances on machines, transmissions,
motors, etc., are in place and to keep them in good condition.
3. To consult their chief if the usual safety appliances for the performance
of a task appear insufficient.
4. To wTarn their fellow workmen o f an impending accident, when the latter
are not aware of it.
5. Not to commit imprudent acts or expose themselves to dangers.
6. Not to perform work which has not been ordered, when the danger that
may result therefrom is unknown.
7. Not to operate, out of curiosity, those parts of the machinery that start or
shut off the power, when they are not assigned to such machinery or do not
know how to run it.
8. Not to remove the safety appliances, especially if the machines are in
motion.
Machinery and tools
Before starting a machine it shall be determ ined:
1. Whether all the working parts are in good condition and function well.
2. That the parts to be used are securely fastened.
3. That the safety appliances are in the desired position and w ill not slip
as the result o f vibrations or rough movements. Workmen must be strictly
prevented fr o m :
1. Polishing or lubricating parts in motion.
2. Climbing over the bed or other projecting parts of machines.
3. Cleaning or oiling a machine while in motion or making slight repairs.
4. Leaving the machine without first having stopped the motor.
5. Starting a machine without knowing how it works.
6. Letting fallen tools remain on the ground or leaving them on shelves or
stairways, from wiiieh they may fall and hurt someone.
Belts
Putting the belts over pulleys by hand must be avoided. Repairs on belts
must be made only when such belts are completely disconnected from the
transmission apparatus.
Gears
The cleaning o f gears in motion must be wholly av oided; before starting
a machine it must be ascertained whether the gears have their proper safety
appliances.
Transmission apparatus
Any sort o f work on transmission apparatus while in motion must be abso
lutely avoided.
Ladders
Ladders must be examined carefully before using th em ; shafting ladders must
not be used unless provided with hooks in the upper part.
Chains
Care must be taken:
1. To keep chains clean and greased at all times.
2. To test them carefully before doing any work and to adjust them when
ever they begin to heat.
28
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
3.
That the links are not subjected to flexion strains; moreover, avoiding
rapid movements, harsh and violent shocks.
Hoisting apparatus
These must be tested before being worked. On raising a load into the air
the apparatus shall be left with its load suspended for a moment. In all cases
it is very dangerous—
1. To put the hands on loads in motion.
2. To pass under suspended loads or to work around them without resting
them firmly upon supports.
3. To touch suspended pieces in order to guide the movements; this must be
done by means of ropes or poles o f suitable length.
5, To set the pieces to oscillating or to transfer loads over the heads o f the
workers.
6. To abandon a hoisting apparatus while loaded and when the mechanism
is not completely stopped.
Elect rica I appara Pits
In general, laborers must avoid working on running motors, electric con
ductors, and low-tension apparatus. Repairs to electric machines, apparatus,
and conductors must be made after shutting off the current. Only in case of
absolute necessity and by using every precaution may work be done on electric
conductors and apparatus, and for this purpose it is ad vised:
1. That the hands be insulated by the use of rubber gloves.
2. That the feet be insulated by standing on boards resting on insulating
material, or by wearing rubber shoes.
3. That wooden pincers or properly insulated hooks be used.
Emery stone
Emery stone must never be used unless protective eyeglasses are worn.
Personal d o thing
Loose and frayed clothing is very dangerous when one is working near ma
chines and therefore must not be worn.
Women working near machines shall cover the head with a cap or net, and
they must not fix their hair near the machines or pulleys.
Foremen
Foremen, and in general all those who have under their direction a number
o f wrorkers, shall be required to exercise continual vigilance so as to prevent
industrial accidents as far as possible, being guided by their experience and
judgment.
DECREE OF MAY 14, 1920
Maritime work
1.
Every person, company, or enterprise transporting workers by sea or
undertaking the loading and unloading o f passengers or cargo on boats or
vessels in general which operate in harbors or outer harbors shall comply
with the following protective and safety provisions.
(a )
Vessels used for the transport of workmen or passengers shall observe
the necessary conditions for stability and safety and shall not carry a greater
number of persons than that authorized by the maritime authorities.
(&)• Ascent to and descent from ships and vessels in general which are
anchored in the outer harbor shall always be effected by means of the so-called
royal ladder, or, in its absence, by means of the “ pilot’ s ladder,” the use of
any other means being forbidden.
(c ) Neither loading nor unloading shall begin before the vessel is well secured
alongside the w harf or steamer.
( d ) In all loading and unloading operations, employers or contractors shall
place their workmen under the direction of a person experienced in maritime
work, who shall exercise continual vigilance in order to avoid accidents.
M IN IM U M WAGE LAW FOR RURAL WORKERS
29
(e ) Workmen who are not in a normal mental or physical condition, or who
are carrying alcoholic beverages on their persons, may not be employed in the
above-mentioned work.
( f) Loading and unloading machines and apparatus may not be used without
previous verification of their state o f preservation and safety.
{(f) The weight of loads to be raised or lowered may not exceed the maximum
load for the machines and apparatus.
(h ) Workmen are forbidden: To remain under loads being lifted or low ered;
to leave the machines and apparatus while loads are in the a i r ; to pass loads*
over them selves; or to set loads in the air to oscillating, directly to touch loads
in the air in order to guide their movements, as this operation must be performed
by means of ropes or poles of suitable length.
(i) When operations require the construction of gangways on board vessels
they must be o f sufficient width and length and be provided with railings along
the sides.
( j) If the coamings o f the hatchways are less than 60 centimeters high, they
must be provided w7ith solid railings.
(7v) When work is performed at night, the work place must be sufficiently
lighted.
(I) Employers and contractors are required to provide such first-aid supplies
in the work places as are required by the instructions of the National Labor
Office.
2.
Employers and contractors who disregard or disobey the preceding provi
sions shall be liable to the penalties prescribed in article 9 of the law o f July 21,
1914, respecting the prevention of industrial accidents.
MINIMUM W AGE LAW FOR RURAL W ORKERS
LAW OF FEB RU A RY 15, 1923
A r t ic l e 1. Rural workers, over 18 and under 55 years o f age, who are em
ployed in agricultural or stock-raising enterprises, shall receive a minimum wage
of 18 pesos a month, or 72 centesimos a day, when they are engaged by em
ployers whose estates are assessed, for the purposes of the real-estate tax, at
more than 20,000 pesos.
When the estate is assessed at more than 60,000 pesos, the minimum wage
shall be 20 pesos per month, or 80 centesimos per day.
A r t . 2. Rural workers between 16 and 18 and those over 55 years of age shall
receive a wage of not less than 60 centesimos per day, or 15 pesos per month.
A r t . 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding articles, the minimum
wage for workers over 16 years of age may be less than the rates fixed above in
cases of physical defect, organic weakness, or other similar cause.
In such cases the minimum wage shall be fixed by the departmental council
or the subcouncil for the district corresponding thereto, with the advice of the
medical officer of that locality.
A r t . 4. Rural workers shall have Sunday o f each w eek free.
When the
exigencies of the service require it, they may, by exception, work on Sunday,
but they shall have at least one free day during the week, and the departmental
inspectorate shall be notified thereof in the form to be established by the regu
latory decree.
A rt. 5. In addition to the wages referred to in this law, the employer shall
furnish his workers with healthful living quarters and sufficient food, or, in
lieu thereof, shall pay them an additional sum o f 50 centesimos daily or 12 pesos
monthly, provided that the workers shall be able to choose between these
alternatives.
A r t . 6. Employers who violate the provisions o f this law shall incur a fine of
10 pesos for each worker concerned. In case of repetition, the fine shall be
25 pesos and in the same proportion, the Imposition of the fine being governed
by the provisions o f the law7 of May 29, 1916, in so far as they are pertinent
thereto.
The judges shall extend the time limits established by the said law if they
consider them insufficient.
A r t . 7. The provision of article 2 shall apply to those agricultural undertak
ings on estates <i^es<ed at more than 20,000 pesos.
43796°—29------ 3
30
LABOR LEGISLATION OP URUGUAY
REGU LATO RY DECREE OF A PR IL 28, 1924
A rticle 1. Persons farming estates assessed for the purpose of the real-estate
tax at not more than 20,000 pesos shall grant their workers an entirely free day
on Sunday or on some other day of the week.
A rt. 2. I f the assessed value is between 20,000 and 60,000 pesos, the rural
workers shall be furnished with healthful living quarters and sufficient food, in
addition to the weekly rest, and shall receive at least the follow ing w ag es:
{A ) Workers from 16 to 18 years of age and those over 55 years of age, 15
pesos per month, or 60 eentesimos per day.
( B) W orkers betw een 18 and 55 years of age, 18 pesos per month, or 72
eentesim os per day.
A rt . 8. When the assessed value exceeds 60,000 pesos, the workers shall re
ceive a m inim um w age as follow s in addition to the benefits prescribed in the
first part o f the precedin g a r t ic le :
(A ) Workers from 16 to 18 years o f age and those over 55 years of age, 15
pesos pe1* month, or 60 eentesimos per day.
(B ) W r k 'is between 18 and 55 years of age, 20 pesos per month, or 80 een
tesimos p i diiy.
A rt . 4 For the purpose of the law, the assessment shall be made on the whole
of the land farmed even if various establishments are placed thereon, which,
w hen considered separately, would not reach the amount of the assessment on
which the minimum wage rate and other obligations are based. In the matter
of com panies or partnerships, however, the assessment o f the estates farmed by
them shall be taken as the basis.
A rt . 5. T h e term “ employer ” shall mean any person or enterprise farming an
agricultural or stock-raising enterprise on his own account.
A rt . 6. I f an employer farms an estate part of which is his own property and
the rest rented, the assessment for the purposes of the law and o f these regula
tions shall be on the total estate. Employers or enterprises in this situation
shall request o f the general bureau o f direct taxation or of the departmental
revenue office a statement showing the assessed value of the rented part, if such
value is less than 60,000 pesos and more than 20,000.
A rt . 7. The duties prescribed in this chapter shall also govern rural workers
employed in livestock and agricultural undertakings utilizing or transforming
raw materials on the place where they are produced.
A rt. 8. The minimum wage as well as the additional sums prescribed in
article 5 of the law shall be paid in national currency.
A rt . 9. I f a rural worker suffers from a physical defect mentioned in article 8
of the law, the doctor examining him shall determine to what extent this defect
reduces his working capacity and whether the reduction is permanent or tem
porary.
The medical certificate shall be taken as the basis in reducing the minimum
wage fixed by the law in proportion to the reduction of the worker’s capacity
for work.
I f the reduction of working capacity is only temporary, authorization for
the payment of a wage less than the legal one shall be granted for the approxi
mate time which the doctor predicts will be required for recovery.
If the infirmity continues beyond this period, the worker shall undergo
another examination in order that another certificate be issued.
A rt. 10. An employer shall not employ, for a wage less than the legal one,
a worker who is ill or incapacitated unless such worker possesses certified
copies of the authorization of the departmental council or subcouncil mentioned
in article 3 of the law.
A rt . 11. Employers shall furnish rural workers with weatherproof and easily
ventilated lodgings, kept thoroughly clean at all times, and each worker shall
have a bed and sufficient space to place conveniently a chest or box for his per
sonal use.
A rt . 12. The employer shall provide separate lodging for workers o f both
sexes.
A rt. 13. Toilet facilities for the rural workers shall be provided in the lodg
ing or near thereto.
A rt . 14. Rural workers shall not be lodged, even temporarily, in barns or
stables. When the exigencies of the service require the presence of the workers
in such places the employer shall provide near by healthful sleeping accommo
dations.
M IN IM U M WAGE LAW FOR RURAL WORKERS
31
A rt. 15. Rooms designed for workers shall not, even temporarily, be used as
storehouses for hides, hair, meats, oils, or any other products for sale or for
use in work.
A rt. 16. The employer shall provide a suitable place as a dining room for his
workers, furnishing the necessary utensils.
A rt . 17. Employers whose establishments are not provided with lodgings fu r
nished as required, and whose workers; do not avail themselves of the right to
choose payment of an additional sum as provided in article 5 of the law, shall
be allowed a period of six months in which to construct the necessary accom
modations.
A rt. 18. If unavoidable circumstances connected with the work, such as sick
ness among cattle, crop diseases, driving o f herds, or urgent necessity for the
completion of definite tasks, should require the continuance or noninterruption
o f work, the number of workers absolutely necessary for this purpose may be
employed on Sunday.
Likewise, in each establishment one or more workers may be employed in the
current necessities of the service. In the cases covered by this article the work
ers shall have a compensatory rest on some other day of the week, which shall
be entered in the work book referred to in article 21.
A rt. 19. Employers shall endeavor to employ their workers in rotation on
Sunday work, unless reasons of special fitness should require the services of
particular workmen.
A rt. 20. The rest day may be spent within the establishment.
A rt. 21. The National Labor Office shall have special work books printed, for
the supervision of the observance of the law and these regulations, containing
the follow ing notations :
(A ) Name, nationality, age, civil status, and address of the worker to whom
the book is issued.
(B ) The same concerning the employer.
(0 ) Department, judicial district, exact location of the establishment.
(D ) Valuation of the estate being farmed, according to the scale.
(E ) The date on which the worker was engaged.
(F ) Terms of the contract by which the worker was employed: Wages,
board, lodging, or in lieu thereof, the additional sum indicated in article 5 of the
la w ; day of rest, and changes to which this day may be subject.
(G ) Certification of the payment of wages, on each pay day.
In the case of citizen workers, the work book shall contain the number of the
registration card for purposes of supervision by the labor inspectors.
A rt. 22. W ork books shall be issued at the price of 20 centesimos, and shall
contain, in addition to the data indicated in the preceding article, the text of
the law and of these regulations.
A rt. 23. Within three months from the day on which the National Labor
Office begins the issuance of work books to those concerned, they shall be fu r
nished by employers to workmen in their service. The books may be obtained
at the National Labor Office, at the departmental inspectorates, or at the police
bureaus for the rural districts. After the three months have expired, no em
ployer may engage or keep in his employ workers who are not provided with a
book in accordance with the regulations.
A rt. 24. The book may be kept by the employer, but with the obligation of
delivering it to the w orker.any time that the latter may ask for it. When the
contract is terminated, an entry shall be made in the book signed by the worker,
unless he has a complaint to make against the employer.
A rt. 25. The book shall be shown to the labor inspector whenever he may
request it.
A rt. 26. In the application of this law and its regulation, the worker may
bring a direct action before the justice of the peace without prejudice to any
action by the labor inspector. If the claim is admitted, the imposition and pay
ment of the fine shall be made before the justice, in accordance with the
procedure established in articles 4 to 8, inclusive, of the law of May 29, 1916.
The amount of the fine shall be paid to the labor inspector so that he may
remit it to the office.
A rt. 27. Any worker who is paid wages lower than the minimum legal rates
shall be entitled to apply for payment before the deputy mayor or justice of
the peace, according to the circumstances.
A rt . 28. If the infraction has been committed by a company or association,
or if the employer does not reside at the establishment, legal action shall be
taken against the representative or manager having charge of the direction of
the work and on whom the penalty shall fall.
32
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
A rt. 29. The general bureau of direct taxes shall furnish the labor Inspectors
with lists of the assessments of rural estates and with a certified copjr o f the
declarations referred to in article 6. From these data the inspectors shall make
up the records necessary for the supervision of the law and of these regulations.
Any employer who obstructs the fulfillment of inspectors’ duties shall be pun
ished by fines of 10 pesos for each wrorker concerned.
ISSUANCE OF W O RK BOOKS FOR INSPECTION
Instructions
1. The intervention of the rural commissions in the minimum wage law for
rural workers must be limited exclusively to the issuance of work books. Ques
tions concerning the application of the law may be handled only by the depart
mental labor inspectors. The city commissions are not permitted to issue books.
Workers in establishments coming under the jurisdiction of the city commis
sions shall apply for their books at the inspectors’ offices.
2. The work book must be issued in the name of the rural worker, His full
name must be entered under the caption “ Property o f ----------and the other
items relating to the nationality, civil status, age, number of the document
o f enrollment, and department in whose civic registry the worker is enrolled
must be filled in at once. In case the worker is not: enrolled, this shall
be left blank, the book to- be issued nevertheless.
3= When the preceding entries have been made, the issuing official must
attach his signature on the proper line as evidence of his action in the matter,
requiring previously that it be signed by the person who, in his own name or
at the instance of another, applies for the book.
4. The issuing official shall also fill in the data mentioned in paragraph 2—
which are those contained on page 1 of each book— attached to the present
instructions. Once each month, said registers shall be sent to the office of the
chief of police in order that he, in his turn, may send them to the departmental
inspectorates of labor. I f there are several inspectorates in the department,
there shall be sent to each of them the reports transmitted by the commissions
located in the zones corresponding to these inspectorates. With the reports
just mentioned, and with the entries in the books issued directly by the depart
mental inspectorates, the latter shall form the registers of the rural workers
in the department.
5. The books shall be numbered consecutively, beginning with No. 1, the
number being written on the line headed “ Notebook No. —
The department
arid the police district shall be noted on the proper Lines. The departmental
inspectorates of labor shall inscribe, under the heading “ District,” the initials
“ D. I. L. [$. 1). 2YJ,” and the item “ Zone No. — ” in case the department has
more than one inspectorate.
6. The commissions may issue work books only to workers in rural estab
lishments in the district. The departmental inspectorates, on the other hand,
may issue them to all persons working in establishments located in their
respective zones.
7. The book may be requested by the worker himself, by the employer, or by
any other authorized person. But no book may be issued until all the data
indicated on page 1 is filled in.
8. The price of the book is 20 centesimcs. It shall not be issued without
payment in advance. The sums received by the rural commissions shall be
remitted monthly to the offices of the chiefs of police. The inspectorates
shall request monthly of these offices the delivery of the sums collected in
the course of the preceding month and shall remit them without delay to the
central bureau, together with the sums which they have gathered directly,
before the 15th o f each month, specifying clearly the amount of the funds
received from the offices of the chiefs of police, the number of books remaining
at these offices, the funds received by the inspectorates, and the number of
books still available at the bureaus.
9. The inspectorates shall send promptly to the offices of the chiefs of police
the number o f books requested by these offices in order to furnish the rural com
missions with them. In departments where there are more than one inspec
torate, the books must be requested of the inspector of the Department of the
Capital, accounting also to him for the sums collected.
10. The rural commissions are requested to notify those interested that em
ployers who, after the 15th of next October, employ workers who are not pro
vided with the proper work book shall incur a fine.
EIGHT-HOUR LAW
33
EIGHT-HOUR LAW
LAW OF NOVEMBER
17, 1915
W ork covered by the law.— A r t i c l e 1. The actual working hours of workers
in factories, workshops, shipyards, quarries, construction enterprises on land
or in ports and r iv e r s; of the clerks or servants in commercial or industrial
houses; o f the motormen, conductors, and other employees of railways and
street-car lin es; and, in general, of all persons whose work is o f the same nature
as that of the workers and employees specified, shall not exceed eight hours
per day.
W orkers for the State.— A r t . 2. This law also includes laborers employed in
plants operated on behalf of the State.
Alteration of the 'working day.— A rt . 3. In special cases the limit as to the
hours of work per day for adults may be increased; but in no case shall the
working hours exceed 4S for each 6 days of labor.
In such cases of change in the normal limit o f the working day, notice shall
be given to the proper authorities ( intendencia) in accordance with the provi
sions o f the regulations supplementary to this law to be issued by the executive
authority.
R est periods.— A r t . 4. The executive authority shall regulate, within the
working hours established by this law, the obligatory daily rest periods appli
cable to each class of workers.
W ork in various establishments.— A r t . 5. No factory, workshop, etc., shall
employ laborers who work in another establishment the maximum number of
hours authorized by this law ; but when a laborer works in one establishment
fewer hours than those authorized, he shall be permitted to work in others
the remaining number of hours.
Fines.-—A rt. 6. Factories, workshops, etc., which permit their laborers or
employees to work fo r a greater number of hours than permitted by this law
shall be fined the first time 10 pesos for each workman in respect of whom
the law h a s been violated and for each additional time 15 pesos. L a b o re rs shall
be fined the amount received by them fo r the extra work, but no fine shall
exceed the extra amount earned in one month.
Inspection.— A rt. 7. Compliance with the provisions of this law shall be
under the supervision o f 25 special inspectors, who are to be attached to the
Labor Office and assigned to the different departments by the executive authority
in the proportion deemed proper by it.
The salary of such inspectors shall be 1.080 pesos annually in the Depart
ment of Montevideo and 900 pesos in the other departments.
Authority of inspectors.— Such inspectors shall have the right to enter any
industrial establishment and to demand whatever information may be necessary
for the fulfillment of their duties, in accordance with the regulations to be pro
mulgated for such purpose by the executive authority.
I f any proprietor or representative of an establishment shall refuse to
furnish an inspector with the means requested by him for the performance of
his duties or if the inspector is opposed or molested in the exercise of the
power conferred upon him by this article, such person shall be punished by a
fine o f 25 pesos for each violation.
A rt. 8. This law shall become effective three months after promulgation.
REGULATORY DECREE OF MAY 21. 1920
C hapter I .— Actual hours of work
Meaning of “ actual hours of work.”— A r t ic le 1. For the purpose of com
puting the 8-hour day the actual hours of work shall mean the whole o f the
time during which a workman or employee ceases to act freely at his own
will and is at the disposal of an employer or superior in rank, except as pro
vided in the following articles.
Em ployees or workers with supervisory functions.— A rt. 2. In the case o f
employees or workmen who direct the work of others and who act independ
ently of the continuous and direct supervision of the contractor or employer
the actual hours of work shall mean the time during which the regular
activities of the personnel under their orders are carried on, provided that
they themselves at the same time take part in the work by directing it. In
34
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
the case of employees or workers who arrange their hours of work for them
selves the actual hours o f work shall be calculated in accordance with article 3
o f the law.
Factories where hours are not continuous.— A rt. 3. In manufacturing estab
lishments when work is not continuous and general work begins with the
starting o f the machines there may be permitted an extension of time not
exceeding 30 minutes, which shall not be reckoned in the actual general hours
of work in the establishment, and which may be gran ted before the work
begins or after it ends to the managers, foremen, machinists, and stokers, p ro
vided they are permitted to enjoy a corresponding rest during the regular
working hours of the establishments.
W ork at distance from station or town.— A rt. 4. In work performed at a dis
tance of more than 1 kilometer from a railway station or town, by gangs of
roadmen working on repair of the roads or on the maintenance of highways or
construction of bridges, the time spent in going to the place of employment
shall not be computed as actual hours of work, provided the trip is not made
on foot and the means of travel are at the expense of the contractor. The
time nor computed, however, shall not exceed one hour either in going or
returning.
W ork at distance from port.— A rt. 5. In the case of maritime work per
formed at a distance from a port actual hours of work shall be counted from
the time of arrival at the point of destination, provided the workmen travel at
the expense of the employers and the trip does not take more than one hour.
C hapter: II.— W ork not covered by the lav:
A rt. 6. The limitation of the hours of work shall not apply to rural indus
tries, stock raising and, agriculture; persons employed in domestic serv ice;
drivers of carriages and ta x is ; directors or managers of commercial or industrai enterprises; technical directors of industrial services; when their duties
are not governed by regular hours o f work.
Sharing in profits.— A rt. 7. The following, also, are not subject to the limi
tation of h ou rs: Laborers, workmen, or employees who are partners in an
enterprise, provided that the sums received by them in the form of wages or a
share in the profits, or'both, are not less than 3,000 pesos annually.
A rt. 8. In small businesses, in order that a partner shall not be considered a
worker or employee, he must have a minimum share in the profits in accordance
with the following scale :
1. When the profits do not exceed 2.400 pesos yearly, or 200 pesos m on th ly:
(a ) One partner— Minimum, 33 per cent.
(&) Two partners— Minimum, each 30 per cent.
(c ) More than two partners— Dividends equal to the profits of the principal.
2. When the profits are more than 2,400 but not exceeding 4,800 pesos a year,
or 400 pesos m onthly:
(a ) One partner— Minimum, 30 per cent.
(b ) Two partners— Minimum, each 25 per cent.
(o) Three partners— Minimum, each 20 per cent.
(d ) More than three partners— Dividends equal to the profits of the principal.
3. When the profits are more than 4.800 pesos but, not exceeding 7,200 pesos a
year, or 600 pesos m on th ly:
(a ) One partner— Minimum, 20 per cent.
(b) Tw o partners— Minimum, each 20 per cent.
(c ) Three partners— Minimum, each 18 per cent.
(d ) More than three partners— Dividends equal to the profits of the principal.
4. Annual profits greater than 7,200 pesos, but not exceeding 12,000, or 1,000
pesos monthly :
(a ) One partner— Minimum, 20 per cent.
(b ) Tw o partners.— Minimum, each 20 per cent.
(c ) Three partners— Minimum, each 20 per cent.
(d ) More than three partners— Dividends equal to the profits of the principal.
5. Annual profits in excess of 12,000 pesos will be governed by article 6.
In all cases the partnership must be proved by means of a contract, signed
before a notary public, giving to the partners the power o f inspecting the books
o f the firm.
EIGHT-HOUR LAW
35
Chapter III. — Computing JfH-hour week
Change of hours in special cases.— A rt. 9. Wlien special circumstances require
that the work of employees or workers shall not be interrupted after 8 hours,
work may be continued, provided the hours o f work shall not exceed 48 during
each period of 6 days. In such cases notice shall be given immediately to the
National Labor Office in the capital, or to the competent inspection authorities
in other departments, stating the facts and the reasons therefor, and giving
the maximum period of uninterrupted work of the workers. The labor inspec
tors shall, as far as possible, verify the accuracy of the statements.
Establishments ivhose w ork is computed by 48-hour periods.— A rt. 10. Within
the limits fixed by article 3 of the law under which these regulations are issued,
legular hoars of work shall not be compulsory in the following cases:
(а) Salting houses, cold-storage houses, and analogous establishments.
(б ) Brickkilns.
(c) The crew of coasting vessels while at sea.
id) Traveling salesmen.
(e) The managers, agents, or heads of services who act with relative inde
pendence outside the principal location of the business.
( f) W orkers and employees whose duties are performed at a distance from
the employer and not under his control, the time to be devoted by them to work
and rest being subject to their own will.
(g ) Drivers of vehicles in general, if not excepted by the law or its regu
lations.
(h ) Persons employed on railway trains.
(i) Persons employed in restaurants on trains.
(j) Any kind of work in case of force majeure.
ik ) Duties or labors which, for technical reasons, are continuous and do not
admit of relief of the person who started on them.
(I) Persons employed on street cars.
(m ) Longshoremen engaged in loading and unloading overseas ships. [Added
by decree of March 22, 1916:] Employees in the creamery industry. [Added by
decree of March 5, 1920:] Workers in breweries.
English w eek.— A rt. 11. Establishments which adopt the rule of working 45
hours each 5 days and 3 hours on the sixth, granting a rest period for the re
mainder of the sixth day, shall be permitted to operate more than 8 hours
per day, but not more than 9, provided there is an agreement with the workers
therefor.
Balances.— A rt. 12. A commercial or banking house and industrial enterprises,
as regards their office work, shall be permitted, on days of balancing or other
exceptional work, to exceed the 8-hour limit by granting a corresponding rest
period to the employees, within the limits fixed by article 3 of the law.
C hapter IV.— Rest periods
W ork demanding continuous operation.— A rt. 13. All operatives doing work
that demands uninterrupted operation or attention shall be allowed, within a
maximum of five hours, not less than one hour of r e st; this hour may be divided
into shorter periods of time and distributed within five hours’ actual work.
In this category are included persons employed by electrical plants who work
in gangs away from the central generating plant, comprising electricians, assist
ants, pavers, excavators, and day laborers in general; persons employed in
depots— day laborers, e tc .; persons employed in garages and drivers of automo
biles and carriages, stablemen, cleaners, e t c .; workers in workshops— mechanics,
blacksmiths, tinsmiths, carpenters, boilermakers, turners, assistants, apprentices,
and day laborers.
The work of guards, drivers, brakemen, and flagmen shall not exceed five
and a half hours continuously. After this period they shall have a minimum
rest o f one and a half hours before completing the eight hours of labor.
In case of interruptions of traffic which cause disturbances in the service, the
said maximum o f five and a h alf hours and also#the 8-hour day may be v a ried :
Provided, That not more than 48 hours shall be* worked during a period of six
days.
W ork that is intermittent.— A rt. 14. In the case of work requiring inter
mittent and irregular operation, and in which some workers may be replaced by
others, rests and time for eating being granted them within the establishment,
36
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
eight continuous hours are permitted thereon, all the time being counted as
actual hours of work,
, Included in this category are electricians, machinists, stokers, oilers, cleaners
in generating plants, employees in the complaint department, telephone operators,
electricians’ assistants, linemen, and persons in charge of cables and installa
tion s; [added by decree of August 1, 1919:] employees and workers in theaters
and moving-picture houses; [added by decree of April 9, 1920:] workers in
flour mills.
Watchmen,— A rt. 15. Workmen who are on guard within the establishment,
at {he order of the proprietor or contractor, ready to go on active duty at the
fir-*, call and who have facilities for eating and sleeping during the hours of
thN service, may remain up to 24 hours in the establishment, with 24-hour ■
in lf'i’ als. Every two hours of guard duty in the form indicated shall be
(••'•ir.ie 1 a< one hour o f actual labor for the purposes of .;rt'cle 3 of the law.
D ay labor in factories and workshops.— Art. 10. 1>ay labor in workshops
and factories shall not be continuous for more than live hoars, with a minimum
re-i >;f two hours before the completion of the 8-hour day.
[Added by decree of July 3 0, 1920:] However, if the continuous work lasts
only four hours, the rest period may be reduced to 1V2 hours, provided the
workers and employers have agreed thereon.
Night w ork.— A r t . 17. Night work shall be regulated in regard to the limits
of continuous work by the rule of the preceding article, but the minimum rest
period shall be one hour.
Pavers, street cleaners, etc.— A rt. 18. Pavers, street cleaners and road re
pairers shall work normally a maximum of five consecutive hours with a mini
mum rest of two hours before completing the eight hours’ work.
In case of exceptional storms causing interruptions to traffic, the workmen
referred to in the preceding clause may work, without previous notification to
the labor-inspection authority, more than eight hours and have less than two
of rest, provided the limits established by article 8 of the law be not exceeded.
Banks, etc.— A rt. 19. Employees of banks and commercial houses who ordi
narily work fewer than 8 hours per day shall have at least 1 hour of rest after
4 hours’ continuous work.
C h apter V .-— General provisions
Gases not specified,.— A rt. 20. The cases not specified in the present decree
shall be governed by the provisions applicable to them by analogy, so long as
this regulation is not extended.
Declaration to be required of w orker by em ployer.— A r t . 21. Employers shall
require of each workman, before employing him, a signed declaration as to
wh- (her or not he works in any other establishment, for the purposes of articles
5 and 0 of the law.
If the workman declares that he does not work in another establishment or
that he works a fewer number of hours than he is authorized, the employers
shall be exempt from responsibility if the declaration proves false and articles
5 and 6 of this law were violated.
I f the required declaration should not be made, both employer and employee
shall be liable to the penalty specified.
A rt. 22. Any person coming within the case specified in article 10 under “ j ”
shall make a report in the form specified in article 9 before or immediately after
varying the 8-hour day, stating the time at which the variation began and the
way in which the 48 hours of work have been distributed over the six consecu
tive days. The Labor Office shall keep a special register of such reports and
shall acknowledge the receipt of each. In the cases mentioned under a, b, o,
d, e, f, (j, h, i, I, and m, and the case specified in article 11 of this decree the
employers or contractors shall report, once for all, in the capital to the Labor
Office and in the other Departments to the competent inspection authorities,
declaring that they propose to take advantage of the permission given in this
article. Those coming within the case specified in article 1 0 under “ k ” shall
apply to the office for the requisite permit to work the extra hours, having
previously notified the inspector for the district or department. Failure to
comply with the provisions of this article shall be deemed to be a violation
within the meaning o f article 6 of the law.
A rt. 23. In the case provided for by article 12, if the commercial house®,
banks, etc., can fix in advance the dates on which it w ill be necessary to exceed
EIGHT-HOUR LAW
the 8-hour day, they shall report this, once for all, in the capital to the central
office and in other Departments to the competent labor inspection authorities,
specifying the said dates. Otherwise notice shall be given on each occasion.
Chapter. VI.—Inspectors
Powers of inspectors.— A rt. 24. The inspectors charged with supervising the
observance of the law relating to the working day shall be empowered to enter
the establishments during working hours, to observe the work, to question the
employers or their representatives, and also the workmen, in regard to every
thing relating to the hours o f work, rests, shifts, and working conditions.
List.— In order to facilitate the said supervision every establishment working
normal hours shall post in a conspicuous place a list signed by the employer or
.. ' " c L'»r and with the seal of the Labor Office, giving the names of the
i
\ (§ and the hours o f work and rest of each worker.
oks.— The establishments with the exceptional working hours included
it
i (s a, b, c, g, h, i, k, I, m shall record the hours worked by each
employee daily in a notebook stamped by the Labor Office which shall be sub
mitted to the inspector on request. The said books, when filled, shall be
returned to the office for examination and filing. Absence or falsification of
the lists or books or refusal to submit them to the inspector for signature or for
removal, in which ease a receipt is given, shall be considered a violation and
shall be punished in accordance with article 7 of the law. The lists and books
shall be renewed in general between the 1st and 13th of June every two years.
In the case mentioned under “ j ” the establishment shall display a duplicate
of the communication sent to the office until the 48-hour week is resumed.
Bata not to be required by inspectors.— A rt. 25. The inspectors shall not
require data relative to business matters— sales operations, capital, technical
processes, quality of materials used, price of the products, or other facts per
taining to the financial policy of the enterprise.
However, when there is a belief that the law is being evaded by presenting
employees or workmen as partners, presentation of the contract and of the
accounts may be required.
I f properly kept accounts are lacking, the contract alone shall not suffice as
proof that the partnership conforms to the requirements o f articles 7 and 8.
A rt. 26. The duties o f the inspectors for the capital shall be fixed by districts.
The National Labor Office shall determine the limits of said districts and shall
assign to each an inspector.
R egister of establishments.— A rt. 27. The inspectors, while supervising the
work within their districts, shall make up a register of the establishments
comprised in their jurisdiction.
For this purpose the office shall provide them with identical form s to contain
the following data : Name of the business or enterprise, name o f the employer,
number of workers, arrangements for hours o f work and for rest periods.
Register of fines.— The office on its part shall keep a register o f proceedings
in cases o f fines imposed by the inspectors.
A rt. 28. The labor inspectors, at the time that they investigate the hours of
work, shall make an inspection of the safety devices with wiiich the machines
are to be equipped for the prevention of accidents, in accordance with the law
and the regulations thereunder.
A rt. 29. Establishments not conforming to the law relative to the prevention
of accidents shall be reported by the inspectors and the penalties which they
have incurred shall be imposed.
[Since the enactment of the 8-hour lawT several decrees have been passed
extending the scope thereof, three of which are briefly digested below.
DECREE OF OCTOBER 18, 1920
Messengers
[By a decree o f October 18, 1920, messengers are included in the 8-hour law.
It provides that every two hours during which a messenger is in attendance,
expecting his services to be made use of, shall be computed as one hour of actual
work. For purposes of supervision, employers or enterprises are required to
provide messengers with individual note books in which shall be entered their
working hours.
38
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
DECREE OF DECEMBER 26, 1924
Working hoars of seamen
[The total number of working hours of members of the crews of vessels sailing
under the national flag shall not exceed 48 per week, except in cases of necessity,
in which case the hours shall be entered in the register of the vessel in order
that the overtime thus worked may be deducted in subsequent periods. For
the purposes of the 8-hour law, hours o f actual work on board vessels sailing
under the national flag shall mean the time during which a member of the
crew actually performs the work for which he was engaged
DECREE OF JANUARY 21, 1927
W orking hours in refrigerating establishments
[The working day in refrigerating establishments shall not in any case exceed
eight hours, and a rest period of not less than .15 minutes shall be allowed
after every hour and three-quarter’ s work.]
COMPULSORY WEEKLY REST LAW
LAW OF DECEMBER 10, 1920
E xtent of the law— Kinds of rest.— A r t i c l e 1. One day of rest shall be com
pulsory after every six days’ work, or a rest day every six days, for every
employer, director, manager, or agent, employee, and worker in any industrial or
commercial establishment or branch thereof, regardless of the nature of the
establishment, whether public or private, lay or religious, and though it be
devoted to trade instruction or to philanthropy.
The rest must be o f a minimum duration o f 24 hours.
Sunday rest.— A r t . 2. The rest granted after six days of work must be given
on Sunday.
The following, however, are excepted from the prohibition of Sunday labor,
in accordance with the provisions and regulations prescribed by the Department
o f Industries:
1. Work which can not be interrupted because of the character of the needs
which it satisfies, for technical reasons, or because such interruption would be
prejudicial to the public welfare, or to the industry or business itself.
2. Industries that can justify the necessity or urgency of a certain amount
of work on Sunday, whether it be for the necessary repair or cleaning of the
machinery or tools, or to prevent the total or partial loss of materials used,
or because o f the necessity o f finishing work in process of execution, in order
to avoid depreciation o f the product, or for other plausible reasons such as
possible or imminent damage.
3. In cases of emergency, such as accidents or force majeure, and those
in which natural phenomena or other transitory circumstances of which it is
neessary to take advantage, require it.
4. The industries or trades which supply foodstuffs which are daily and
absolute necessities.
5. And in general whenever it is established that a general rest on Sunday
o f the whole personnel of an establishment is prejudicial to the public or inter
feres with the normal functioning of an establishment, whose continuous oper
ation must be assured by reason of the very nature o f the work.
R est which may be substituted for that of Sunday.— In such cases the rest
may be given :
(a ) On another day o f the week either to the whole personnel o f an estab
lishment simultaneously or by turns.
(b) From noon or 1 p. m. on Sunday until noon or 1 p. m. on Monday.
(c ) On Sunday afternoon, with a compensatory rest o f one day every two
weeks by turn.
(d) By turn, substituting two half days for the rest o f one day per week.
R est in rotation ( one day after five days of w ork ).— A r t . 3. The rest every
six days shall be given in rotation.
Compensatory rest.— A r t . 4. The personnel excepted in the cases of clause 2,
article 2, shall enjoy a compensatory weekly rest equivalent to that of which
COMPULSORY W EEKLY REST LAW
39
they were deprived by their work on Sunday; this work shall in all cases be
reduced to the absolute and indispensable minimum.
Applications for exceptions.— A r t . 5. Establishments considering themselves
included in the exceptions referred to in article 2, shall appear before the
Department o f Industries, which shall grant or refuse the authorization applied
for, after consultation with the city council, the chamber of commerce or in
dustry, the employers’ or workmen’s organizations interested, and the Labor
Office.
When one form o f rest is incompatible with the functioning of an establish
ment, the adoption simultaneously of the various forms specified in this law7 may
be applied for.
The authorization granted to any establishment shall be understood to apply
to others of the same kind.
The decision of the Department (o f Industries) may be appealed within two
weeks, to the National Council of Administration, without further recourse.
A rt . 6. Notwithstanding authorization obtained under the preceding article,
the Department of Industries, after consulting with the organizations specified
in the article mentioned, shall regulate the rest day in those establishments in
which it may be permitted by tu rn s; the provisions of these regulations may be
appealed from under the conditions laid down above.
W omen and children.— A r t . 7. Exceptions in respect to the compulsory rest
day shall not apply to women and to children under 16 years o f age.
Excepted duty on days of rest.— A r t . 8. The employee or workman who is
employed, by exception, on a holiday, shall be entitled to a compensatory rest
or to compensation in money at his option. In such case the pay or compensa
tion shall not be less than twice the ordinary wage.
The employee or workman who has completed his 48 hours of work may not
be employed on a rest day by an establishment other than that whose employee
he is.
Transfer and cumulation of rest.— A rt. 9. The employee or worker may not
be, however, employed on a rest day without his consent, renewed each time,
or by virtue of a written agreement.
Likewise, by a written agreement, half o f the rest per week due the employee
or worker regularly employed on a day of rest, may be cumulated to form a
vacation period which shall be granted every 3, 6, or 12 months.
A rt . 10. The transfer and cumulation of rest days permitted in accordance
with the preceding article, shall be subject to the follow ing condition s:
(a)
Each eight hours of work performed during a rest day shall entitle the
employee or wTorker to one day’s holiday.
Cb) The leave due the employee or worker at the expiration of his contract
must be paid him in money, at the least in proportion to his salary or daily
wage.
Acts forbidden on days of rest. — A r t . 11. Not only the employment of em
ployees and workers (but also to require their attendance, even to receive their
pay) at shops or offices, whether public or private, and also their employment
in the dispatching, receipt, transport, or delivering of goods shall be prohibited
on r'-st days. It is likewise forbidden to open sales places, with the exception
of ' how windows and outside displays. The departmental or local administra
tive council shall have power to authorize or forbid trading at fairs and ped
aling on these days.
Crews on vessels and railways.— A r t . 12. The weekly rest of seamen and
other employees on board vessels flying the national flag, and that of railway
workers, shall be governed by special regulations prescribed by the Department
of Industries, after consultation with the respective Departments and also with
the employers’ and workers’ organizations, and the Labor Office.
Appeals against the provisions of these regulations may be made to the Na
tional Administrative Council as in the case provided for in article 5.
Domestic service.— A r t . 13. The provisions of this law and especially the
exceptions set forlh in article 2 shall be applicable to domestic service.
Domestic service shall, however, be the subject of a special regulation. (See
p. 44.)
Supervision of the law.— A r t . 14. The Department of Industry, through the
labor inspectors, shall undertake the supervision and inspection in respect to
the rest day, determining likewise the conditions under which application can
be made by the head of an establishment, occupation, industry, or trade to take
advantage of the exceptions mentioned in articles 2 and 3.
40
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
Fines.— A rt. 15. Factories, workshops, commercial or business houses, etc.,
violating the provisions of this law or the regulations issued by the administra
tion, in accordance with the same, shall be fined 4 pesos, and 10 in case of a
repetition.
The fine shall be imposed as many times as there are persons employed in
violation of the present law, the maximum, however, not to exceed 100 pesos
on each occasion.
In case of repetition, the fine shall be imposed as many times as the violation
is proved.
Responsibility of owners of enterprises, companies, or societies.— A rt. 16.
Owners of enterprises, companies, or societies shall be jointly liable at civil law
for violations proved against their directors or agents.
Infringements or violations shall in all cases be presumed imputable to the
employer.
A r t . 17. Anyone who obstructs the inspectors in the discharge of their duties
and work of supervision shall be punished by a fine of 20 to 100 pesos and
double the amount in case of repetition.
Procedure.— A rt. 18. For the imposition of penalties and in other matters
the procedure under the law of May 29, 1916, shall be followed.
A rt. 19. The annual salary of the three chiefs of section of the National
Labor Office shall be increased to 2.400 pesos.
REGULATORY DECREE OF MAY 6, 1921
C h apter I.— Compulsory rest
Systems of rest.— A r tic le 1. In accordance with the law o f December 10,
1920, one day of rest shall be compulsory after six days' work or a rest day
after every six days (after five days of work) in the form specified in the
follow ing articles.
To whom compulsory rest applies.— The rest day shall be compulsory for
every employer, director, manager or agent, employee or worker in an indus
trial or commercial establishment and branch thereof, irrespective of the nature
o f the establishment, public or private, lay or religious, even if existing for
trade instruction or for philanthropic purposes.
Exceptions to la%o.— A rt. 2. The following shall be exempt from the law
under which these regulations are issued:
(a ) Rural industries.
(b) Work done in the worker’s own home.
(c) Libraries, academies, museums, and other educational and recreational
centers in which no gainful end is pursued.
W hat is understood by “ rest day.”— A rt. 3. The term “ rest d a y ” shall mean
a period of rest o f 24 consecutive hours.
The Sunday rest may begin between midnight on Saturday and 8 a. m. on
Sunday.
Choice between systems of rest. — A r t . 4. Irrespective of the nature of
the establishment, it shall he permitted to choose, without the necessity of
seeking any authorization, either of the two general forms of rest spoken of in
article 1.
[Added by decree of July 22, 1921:] Establishments which are both commer
cial and industrial may make use of both forms of rest.
C hapter II.— Rest after six1 days' work
Sunday rest.— Art. 5. I f it is decided to grant the rest day after six days’
work, it shall be given on Sunday, subject to the exceptions determined here
inafter.
Closing of establishments.— A rt. 6. .Establishments not excepted shall close
their doors all day on Sunday, being permitted only to exhibit their show
windows and outside displays.
However, if the home of the employer, director, manager, or agexit has no
other door than that of the establishment, it may remain open, provided the
public is informed, by means of signs or placards sufficiently visible, that the
place is not open for purposes o f sale or work.
COMPULSORY W EEKLY REST LAW
41
M ixed establishments.— Art. 7. Establishments which contain both articles
whose sale is permissible and those whose sale is prohibited shall announce by
means of posters visible from the street which articles may be sold. These
articles must belong* to the principal line of goods in which the establishment
deals, which fact shall be shown in the respective permits.
Exceptions to Sunday rest,— A rt. 8. The follow ing establishments are consid
ered excepted from the Sunday r e s t:
(A ) W ork which can not be interrupted because of the character of the needs
which it satisfies or because such interruption would be prejudicial to the public
welfare or to the industry or trade itself, and because a general rest on Sunday
o f the whole personnel of the establishment would be prejudicial to the p u b lic:
1. Railways, street cars, and all transportation enterprises with a fixed
itinerary.
2. Transportation by river and sea.
3. Baggage express and cartage of the necessary equipment for performing
work on Sunday.
4. Postal, telegraph, and telephone services,
5. Gas and electricity works for public consumption.
(3. Wni^r wsrks.
7. IIos;)ifaK sanitariums, and other health institutions; charitable work of
mutual am ^ci^ties.
8. i ): ug s; ores that work regularly on Sundays.
9. F ujicr a1 e >i ablishments.
10. Hotels, inns, and boarding houses, and restaurants connected therewith
and with railways.
11. Places where travelers may buy accessories and necessary articles for
automobiles, bicycles, airplanes, and other conveyances.
13. Pools.
14. Feeding, care, and cleaning of animals.
15. Guarding and caretaking o f establishments in which work is suspended
on Sunday. [Added by decree of July 29, 1921:] Confectioneries, cafes, restau
rants, and lunchrooms.
(B ) W ork which can not be interrupted because o f technical reasons or
because a general rest on Sunday for the whole staff would interfere with the
normal functioning of the establishment whose continuous operation must be
assured by reason of the very nature o f the w o r k :
1. Manufacture o f lime.
2. M anufacture of preserved food.
3. Manufacture of chemical products.
4. Manufacture o f explosive materials.
5. Manufacture of cement.
6. Manufacture of paper and cardboard.
7. Manufacture of beer and malts.
8. Manufacture of ice.
9. Manufacture o f soap.
10. Manufacture of glass and its by-products.
11. Manufacture and refining o f sugar.
12. Refi-ang o f petroleum and naphtha.
1.3. I )! t illation o f alcohol.
14. Pru-Mvilns.
15. Pottery and ceramic works.
16. Metal foundries.
17. Refrigerating and cold-storage plants.
18. Salting plants,
(C ) Industries or trades which supply foodstuffs which are daily and abso
lute necessities:
1. The manufacture and sale, for children and invalids, of foods which must
be prepared daily.
2. The slaughtering and shipment o f meats required for consumption.
3. The stalls in the markets and those established within the district in which
fresh meat, fish, fowls, vegetables, fruits, and pastries are sold.
4. Cow sheds and dairies.
5. Pastry shops.
(D ) Industries requiring the performance o f a certain amount o f w ork on
Sunday, for the following purposes:
42
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
1. Overhauling, cleaning, and repair of machinery, tools, or shops, which it is
impossible to perform on any other day without interrupting or interfering with
the work. This provision shall also apply to the making of inventories and
balance sheets.
2. T o prevent the total or partial loss of materials used, or because of the
necessity of finishing work in process of execution, without depreciation of the
products.
3. For plausible reasons such as possible or imminent damage, for exam ple:
(a ) Construction, demolition, or work for the purpose of completing repairs
to insure the safety of a building.
(b ) The renewal o f water-pipe lines, the repair of lighting installations, and
analogous tasks tending to assure the performance of work permitted on Sunday.
(c) Urgent repairs.
(E )
Cases of emergency such as accident or force m ajeure; in cases when
natural phenomena or other transitory circumstances of which it is necessary to
take advantage, so require:
(a) The fishing industry and subsidiary undertakings.
(b) The warehousing, in the towns, of agricultural products during the har
vest season.
(c ) Preserving in the harvest season.
(d ) W ork in connection with sea bathing during the season.
(e ) The sale of carnival articles on carnival Sundays.
Rests that may be substituted for Sunday rest
Substitute forms.— A rt. 9. In the cases provided in article 8 of the regula
tions, the rest day in lieu of Sunday may be given in the forms provided under
letters (a ), (&), (c ), and (d ) of article 2 of the law.
H ow exceptions are to be understood.— A rt. 10. The exceptions referred to
in the preceding articles may be made for all or for only a part o f the workers,
according to whether or not the work of the whole staff or only of a part thereof
is necessary for the realization of the end justifying the exception.
Compensatory rest days and compensation i,t money
R ed u ced w ork .— A rt. 11. The personnel engaged in the work referred to in
clauses (D ) and (E ) of article S shall perform the minimum amount of work
absolutely necessary for the purposes indicated in said clauses.
Compensatory rest.— In case of work habitually performed every Sunday,
such as the cleaning of machinery, tools, premises, etc., the said workers shall
have at once a compensatory weekly rest equivalent to that of which they were
deprived by their work on Sunday.
Compensatory rest or money compensation.— If the work is performed by ex
ception on a Sunday, as in case of accidents, repair of machines, etc., said per
sonnel shall have the power to choose either the compensatory rest or a money
compensation, which sliall not be less than twice the ordinary wages.
Consent of the worker.— In no case shall the employee or worker be obliged
to work on a rest day without his consent, obtained each time, or by written
agreement, for which the National Labor Office will supply the proper forms.
Transfers and cumulation of rest
Cases in which transfers and cumulations are possible.— A rt. 12. In the cases
under clauses (A ), (B ), (C ), and (D ), of article 8 the employee or worker
may by virtue of a written agreement forego half of the rest due him each week
and cumulate it in vacation periods which shall be granted every 3, 6, or 12
months, subject to the follow ing condition s:
(a ) Each eight hours of work performed on a rest day shall be equivalent
to one day of vacation.
(b) The leave due at the expiration of the contract shall be paid for in money,
at the least in proportion to the worker’s salary or wage.
C hapter III.— One day of rest after five of work
Rotative rest.— A rt. 13. All establishments, irrespective of their nature, may
choose the system of 1 rest day every 0 days (1 day after 5 working days).
COMPULSORY W EEKLY REST LAW
C
hapter
43
IV.— Enforcem ent of the weekly rest
W ork excepted from Sunday rest.— A r t . 14. The establishments covered by
article 8 of these regulations shall draw up schedules showing the days and
hours of rest and the names of the workers who are entitled thereto.
Reduced work on Sunday.— A r t . 15. In cases of work indicated in clause
( D ) o f article 8, which is performed habitually every Sunday, in accordance
with article 11, paragraph I,1 there shall be recorded on the schedules the day
and the hours when the compensatory rest is to be given.
E xcepted work on Sunday, accidents, force majeure.— A rt . 16. In cases of
the work specified in clause (D ) of article 8, which is performed on Sunday
by exception, and in cases under clause (E ) of article 8 permission shall be
applied for in advance, specifying the hours during which the work w ill be
performed and the form in which the rest or money compensation w ill be given.
The establishment shall keep a copy of this communication for the purpose
o f exhibiting it if required.
If previous notice is impossible, the facts giving rise to the exception shall
be reported subsequently. In either case the notice given to the National
Labor Office shall not relieve the interested party from any responsibility if
the alleged reasons prove to be false.
W ork in which advantage is taken of natural phenomena or other transitory
circumstances.— A rt. 17. In cases under clause (E ) of article 8 employers shall
communicate in advance to the National Labor Office the facts which may justify
the exception requested, and the form in which the rest in lieu of the Sunday
rest will be given, in order that it may be recorded on the form s used for
purposes of supervision.
Waiving and cumulation of rest.— A r t . 18. The waiving and cumulation o f
rest days referred to in article 12 shall be stipulated in a written agreement
signed by the parties and by two witnesses for each of them. One copy of the
document shall be deposited in the National Labor Office and the original shall
be submitted to the inspectors at any time they may ask for it.
Rest in rotation.— A r t . 19. In the cases referred to in article 18 there shall
be recorded on schedules the rest days and the 5-day working periods.
Persons under 16 years of age.— A r t . 20. I f the labor inspectors at any time
have reason to suppose that persons under 16 years of age are employed on
Sunday, according them a rest day after six days’ work, they shall require em
ployers, managers, etc., to produce the proper proofs that such minors have the
benefit o f a rest day after five days’ work.
Laborers on public roads.— A r t . 21. The supervision of the rest period of
workmen or employees working on the public roads shall be by means of
identification books issued by the National Labor Office.
C
h apter
V.— General provisions
Outdoor work.— A r t . 22. When a piece o f outdoor work is not finished be
cause of bad weather, it may be performed on a day of rest, by agreement
between the contractors and the workers, provided the work has already been
begun.
Fines.— A r t . 23. Factories, workshops, commercial or business establishments,
etc., that violate the provisions of the law', or the present regulations and those
which may be issued in the future, shall be fined 4 pesos, and 10 pesos in case
of repetition. The fine shall be imposed as many times as there are persons
employed in violation of the present law, the maximum, however, not to exceed
100 pesos on each occasion. In case of a repetition o f the offense the fine
shall be imposed as many times as the violation is proved.
A r t . 24. Owners of enterprises, companies, or societies shall be jointly liable
at civil law for violations charged against their directors or agents. Infringe
ments or violations shall in all cases be presumed imputable to the employer.
A rt. 25. Anyone obstructing inspectors in the discharge of their duties and
work of supervision shall be fined from 20 to 100 pesos, and double that sum in
case of repetition of the offense.
A r t . 26. For the imposition o f penalties, the procedure under the law o f May
29, 1916, shall be followed.
1 As stated in the decree, but it should be second paragraph.
44
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
COMPULSORY W EEKLY REST FOR DRIVERS OF AUTOMOBILES AND
CARRIAGES AND FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS
LAW OF NOVEMBER 19, 1920
A rticle 1. The granting of at least one day of rest in each week to every
driver of automobiles or carriages who works on a salary basis is declared
compulsory.
A rt. 2. Domestic-service workers shall likewise be entitled to the weekly rest.
A rt. 3. Any employer not complying with the provisions of the preceding
article shall be punished by a fine of 10 pesos or equivalent imprisonment for
each violation.
REGULATORY DECREE OF JUNE 16, 1921
C hapter I.— Concerning domestic workers
W eekly rest.— A r t ic le 1. Persons who employ domestic servants are required
to allow them one day of rest per week.
Manner in which it may be arranged.— A rt. 2, The weekly rest may be
arranged between the employer and his domestic workers by adopting one o f the
f ollowing m ethods:
{a ) For 24 continuous hours, simultaneously to all the workers or by turns.
(b )
Substituting two half days of 12 continuous hours for the rest o f one
day per week. In this case the rest shall go into effect between 8 a. m. and
2 p. m.
Memorandum book.— A rt. 3. Within 30 days following the promulgation of the
present decree every domestic worker who is employed must provide himself
with a special book, which will be furnished gratuitously by the National Labor
Office, in which shall be recorded:
(a ) The full name of the domestic worker.
(b ) Residence, nationality, age, and civil status.
(c ) Name and address of employer.
(d ) Date of entry and salary.
(e j Date of leaving.
(f )
Manner in which the rest is to be granted, with a statement as to whether
the transfers or cumulations referred to in article 7 are being made, noting
in each case the dates on which they shall be effective. The notations (a )
and (b) shall be filled in at the National Labor Office upon application for the
memorandum book, and (c ), ( d) , ( e ), and if ) at his earliest convenience by
the employer in whose service the domestic worker may be.
W orkers without a memorandum book.— A r t . 4. No employer shall be per
mitted to have in his service workers who do not possess the regulation memo
randum book. On the drawing up of the contract he shall require the presenta
tion of said book, and if the worker does not have it he may engage him, but
on the condition of giving immediate notice to the National Labor Office so
that within the following five days the book may be sent to him.
Those not considered servants.— A rt. 5. When they are not treated as servants
the persons who are known to live with the fam ily shall not be considered as
domestic workers in the service of the employer. In such case the employer
in question must procure, in the office of the respective justice of the peace
(A lcald ia), a certification o f the facts, attested by the signatures of two re
sponsible witnesses. Said certificate shall be presented to the inspector and
inspection aids whenever requested. This provision shall apply to wet nurses
and persons acting as nurses for the sick, without requiring in such case the
certification mentioned in the second sentence.
W ork excepted on rest days.— A rt. 6. Each time that the domestic worker is
employed, by exception, on a day when he is entitled to rest, the employer must
grant him a compensatory rest or compensation in money, at his option, paying
in the latter case a salary not less than double the usual one. In a special part
of the memorandum book, which shall be devoted exclusively to the recording
of this extra work, there shall be entered the work performed and the compen
satory rest, or, in lieu thereof, the compensation in money.
Rest transfers.— A rt. 7. The domestic worker may come to an agreement
with his employer, if the latter desires to employ him on all the rest days,
so that half the holiday due him each week shall cumulate in a vacation period
which shall be given each 3, 6, or 12 months.
COMPULSORY W EEKLY REST LAW
45
Said transfers or cumulations shall be subject to the following conditions :
(a ) Each rest day saved by working shall be equivalent to one day of
vacation.
(ft) The rest which is due the domestic worker at the expiration of the
contract must be paid him in money, in proportion to the corresponding salary
or wage, at least. In the memorandum book (item f) referring to the form of
rest there shall be entered the said cumulations or transfers and the time when
the cumulated and transferred rest is to be given.
Employer must keep book.— A r t . 8 . During the time the domestic worker is
in his service the employer must keep in his possession the rest book. When
the contract is terminated he shall return the book to the worker, a notation
being made that the latter has had the benefit of the regulation rests, or, in
lieu thereof, the corresponding compensation.
Inspection.— A r t . 9. Employers are obliged to show the books to the labor in
spectors and inspection aids whenever so requested in their respective domi
ciles, Such officials will, in each case, sign the book, if they find it according
to regulations. I f they notice therein omissions that reveal nonobservance of
the rest period, they shall take possession of the book, giving a receipt therefor,
and use it as proof to secure the proper penalties. The notations in the book
shall be considered authentic proof.
Powers of inspectors.— A r t . 10. The inspectors and inspection aids shall have
no right to enter domiciles under pretext of duty, unless they are so authorized
by the employer, nor to demand the presence of, nor question, any persons who
may live or be in the house, except the employer and the domestic workers.
The inspection must be made between 10 a. m. and 6 p. m.
D estruction or loss of hook.— A r t . 11. In case of destruction or loss of the
book, wThich is in the possession of the employer, he shall notify the National
Labor Office within five days after the facts have been established, in order
that steps may be taken toward its replacement. He shall proceed in the same
way when the book is used up, in this case returning the used volume.
Acts prohibited on rest days.— A r t , 12. On days of rest it is forbidden not
only to cause the domestic servants to work but also to bring the workers to
gether to pay them. The workers who live in the house of the employer shall be
allowed to take their rest there.
Fines.— A r t . 13. Violations of the provisions of the present chapter shall be
penalized by a fine of 10 pesos for each worker if they relate to rest and 4
pesos if they relate to the regulation formalities. Said infractions shall in all
cases be presumed imputable to the employer.
C hapter
II.— Concerning drivers of automobiles and carriages
W eekly rest.— A r t . 14. All owners of automobiles and carriages, whether for
private or for commercial use, are required to grant to the drivers in their serv
ice one whole day o f rest per week, with the exception of chauffeurs in the
service of doctors, to whom the rest may be given in two half days, in which
case the rest shall be given between 8 a. m. and 2 p. m. The obligation to give
a day of rest obtains also for drivers in the service of the State, including the
public administration properly so called, and for the drivers of vehicles similar
to automobiles and carriages.
Drivers for industrial and commercial establishments.— A r t . 15. Drivers in
the service of industrial and commercial establishments shall be governed by
the law7 of December 10, 1920, which establishes the compulsory weekly rest for
all trades-unions, and by whatever administrative regulations may be pro
mulgated in that regard.
Provisions of preceding chapter applicable to drwers.— A r t . 16. The provisions
contained in articles 3, 4, 6, and 7 of the present decree are applicable to drivers
in the service of private individuals, with the follow ing m odifications:
(a)
The memorandum book shall contain notations relative to the nature and
number of the vehicle.
(&) The driver is required to carry the book with him, under pain of incur
ring a fine of 4 pesos. The same penalty shall be imposed in case of the driver’s
refusal to present the book when it is called for by the inspectors and inspection
aids.
(c )
W h e n the book is lost, destroyed, or used up the driver shall apply for
another within five days follow ing the establishment of the facts, under pain
o f incurring the fine specified in the preceding clause.
43796°—29------ 4
46
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
Fines.— A r t . 17. Every violation of the rest requirement shall be fined 10
pesos; violation of the regulative order, 4 pesos. In all cases, except those ex
pressed by paragraph (&) of the preceding article, the violation is presumed
imputable to the employer.
A cts prohibited on days of rest.— A r t . 18. Drivers are likewise prohibited
from working on rest days in vehicles owned by themselves or by a different
employer. In case o f doing so the violation shall be punished in the same
w a y ”as set forth in the preceding article, the payment o f the fine being at the
expense o f the driver or employer according to circumstances.
C h apter
III.—Inspection
Inspectors and aids.— A r t . 19. Compliance with the present provisions shall
be supervised by the labor inspectors and inspection aids, who shall proceed
in all matters compatible therewith in accordance with the other labor laws.
A rt. 20. The inspection aids shall exercise their supervision under the im
mediate direction of the zone inspector, the latter being responsible in his
district for compliance with the present provisions. Said aids shall act as
reporters of violations, with sufficient powers to require presentation of the
memorandum books by their holders and to take possession of the books
in return for a receipt. I f the violation is established, they shall give immediate
notice thereof to the zone inspector, so that the latter may initiate proceedings
in the case, evidence of the facts accompanying their notification.
Resistance of inspectors.— A r t . 21. In accordance with article 17 o f the
weekly rest law, anyone who obstructs the inspectors or inspection aids in the
discharge of their duties shall be punished by a fine of from 20 to 100 pesos
and double the amount in case o f a repetition o f the offense.
Procedure for imposition of fines.— A r t . 22. For the imposition of penalties
and for other provisions, the procedure of the law o f May 29, 1916, shall govern
in so far as applicable.
PROHIBITION OF NIGHT WORK IN BAKERIES, SPAGHETTI AND
DOUGH FACTORIES, CONFECTIONERY STORES, AND SIMILAR
E S TA B LISH M E N TS
LAW OF MARCH 19, 1918
A rticle 1. W ork is prohibited in bakeries, spaghetti and dough factories,
confectioneries, and similar establishments between 9 p. m. and 5 a. m.
A rt. 2. Each proved violation of the provision of the preceding article
shall be punished by a fine o f 100 pesos, and of twice that amount in case o f
repetition.
The labor inspectors are charged with the enforcement of this law. The im
position and collection o f these fines shall be made in accordance with the
provisions of articles 2 to 10, inclusive, o f the law of May 29, 19.17, referring
to the working day.
A rt. 3. Each of the labor inspectors is to be given the sum of 30 pesos
monthly for traveling expenses.
A rt. 4. This law shall take effect one month after its promulgation.
LAW OF OCTOBER 15, 1920
A rticle 1. It is hereby declared that the prohibition established by article 1
of the law of March 19, 1918, includes the workers and owners of bakeries.
RE GU LATO RY DECREE OF JANUARY 20. 1921
A rticle 1. The labor of workmen and employers in bakeries, and o f workmen
only in spaghetti and dough factories, confectioneries, etc., is prohibited between
9 p. m. and 5 a. m.
A rt. 2. Every proved violation of the provision of the preceding article
shall be punished by a fine, of 100 pesos, and of double that amount in case of
repetition.
A rt . 3. The proprietors of bakeries who keep their ovens lighted or who
light them during the hours in which night work is prohibited shall likewise be
considered guilty of infraction and consequently subject to the penalties men
tioned in article 2.
OLD-AGE PENSION LAW
47
A rt. 4. Within the period of one month from the ratificatitan o f the present
decree, the prop rietors of spaghetti and dough factories, confectioneries, and
similar establishments shall be required to appear at the National Labor Office
and make a statement as to their intention of working at night.
The proprietors of mixed establishments (bakeries and dough factories, con
fectioneries, etc.) shall be subject to the same requirement. After the specified
time limit has expired, establishments of either class which are opened shall
make the required declaration within five days after their opening.
A r t , 5. When because of the quantity o f bread taken from the bakeries in
the early morning hours or because of other outward appearances it is be
lieved that bread is being made during the hours in which work is prohibited,
the inspector shall have power to submit a sample of the article to experts for
their opinion, and their judgment may serve as the basis for initiating the
necessary action.
A r t . G. The National Labor Office shall communicate to the departmental
councils of administration the cases in which it has been established that bread
dough has been left on boards during the night in order to proceed with baking
it the following day.
A rt. 7. The imposition and collection o f the fines referred to in the laws
o f March 19, 1918, and October 15, 1920, and in the provisions o f the present
decree shall be governed by the law of May 29, 1915, articles 2 to 10 inclusive.
SEAT'S FO R FE M A L E E M PLO YE E S
LAW OF JULY 10, 1918
A rticle 1. Stores, shops, drug stores, factories, workshops, and other establish
ments and places in w h'ch women work shall have a sufficient number of chairs
so that the female employees or workwomen may sit -down whenever their work
permits.
A rt. 2. The labor inspectors are charged with securing enforcement o f the
present law, for which purpose they shall enter all the places indicated in the
preceding article.
A rt. 3. Violators of tlrs law shall pay a fine o f from 5 to 10 pesos for the
first offense and 50 for follow ing offenses.
A rt. 4. In cases where because of the reports of the labor inspectors court
proceedings are started in consequence of violations of the present law, they
shall be tried summarily by the justices o f the peace of the town where the
establishment is located.
A rt. 5. The sentence pronounced by a justice o f the peace may be appealed
on brief to the correctional judge o f Montevideo or to the departmental judges
outside the capital.
A rt. 6. The case having been heard, the superior court shall render its de
cision within three days, the appearance of the parties not being necessary.
From this sentence there shall be no appeal.
A rt. 7. The labor inspectors shall always be a party to this type o f court
proceeding.
Art. 8. The fines imposed shall be paid into the treasury of public health.
A rt. 9. The present law shall be in force three months after its promulgation.
OLD-AGE PEN SIO N LAW
LA W OF FEBRU ARY 11, 1919
Right to pension.— A r t i c l e 1. Any person who has reached the age of 60
years, or other persons who are totally incapacitated and who are in abject
poverty, are entitled to receive from the State a minimum pension of 96
pesos annually or its equivalent in direct or indirect aid.
Foreigners.— A r t . 2. Foreigners or naturalized citizens must have resided at
least 15 consecutive years in the country in order to be entitled to a pension,
such pension not to be more than the minimum granted to nationals.
Taxes to be imposed for granting of pensions\— A r t , 3. For the old-age pen
sion benefits and other purposes of this law there are imposed the follow ing
taxes and tax increases:
1.
A social-insurance tax of 20 centesimos monthly, to be paid by every em
ployer or contractor for each workman or employee in his service.
48
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
2. A surtax to be paid by owners of real estate whose total value is not less
than 200,000 pesos, in accordance with the follow ing sca le:
Surtax (pesos)
per 1,000 pesos
From 200,000 to 300,000 pesos_____________________________________ 1. 05
From 300,000 to 400,000 pesos_____________________________________ 1. 10
From 400,000 fo 500,000 pesos_____________________________________ 1.15
From 500,000 to 800,000 pesos_____________________________________ 1. 20
From 600,000 to 700,000 pesos_____________________________________ 1. 25
More than 700,000 pesos___________________________________________ 1. 30
3. A tax on playing cards of 20 centesimos per pack for imported cards and
of 10 centesimos for domestic cards.
4. The internal-revenue tax on liquors, absinthe, bitters, vermouths, cognac,
grappa, fernet, gin, kirschwasser, and whisky imported into the country is
increased 12 centesimos per bottle not exceeding 1 liter, or per liter.
Fine v, nie^ are subject to an internal-revenue tax of 12 centesimos per bottle
not exceeds ^ 1 liter, or per liter. When the beverages covered by this section
are contai, td in bottles of larger size than 1 liter, the tax shall be in proportion.
5. Alcohols, whether imported or domestic, excepting that intended for
denaturing, are subject to an internal-revenue tax of 60 centesimos per liter.
6. The internal revenue consumption tax on imported brandies is increased
13 centesimos.
A rt. 4. The expense of the pension benefits shall be met by the method of
distribution within the limits established.
Annual determination of pensions.— A rt. 5. The estimate to be made each
year for pensions shall include a portion to be set aside as a reserve fund to
meet any deficiencies that may arise, and also for founding almshouses for the
indigent old or invalids who may be willing to contribute a part of the aid they
receive for the privilege of residing therein.
Persons who are not entitled to a pension, because of fortuitous circum
stances, are provided for from the public poor fund.
State's contribution.— A rt. 6. If in the first year o f the application of this
law the revenue should not permit granting pensions in the minimum amount
heretofore provided, the next budget shall provide a State contribution to
furnish the additional amount needed to provide the minimum referred to
in article 1.
Cases of pension reduction.— A rt. 7. In case those entitled to old-age pension
should be receiving other annuity or subsidy, the State shall pay them the
full share if the amount received on account of the other annuity does not
exceed 10 p esos; if they receive more than 10 pesos, for each unit or fra c
tion in excess of said sum the State shall diminish the share in the propor
tion of one-half to one.
Monthly payment of social insurance tax.— A rt. 8. The social insurance tax
provided for by article 3, section 1, shall be collected by means o f stamps,
each of the value of one month’ s payment. The administration shall provide
each contributor, including public offices having workers in their employ, with
a book for entering the appropriate stamps. The payment of the tax to date
shall be proved by exhibition of said book, which shall contain the name of
the contributor, and also a serial number for the general register, which shall
be kept in the Bureau of Direct Taxes.
The cost of the book shall be charged to the party to whom issued.
Function of Insurance Bank.— A rt. 9. The proceeds from the taxes provided
for by this law shall be deposited monthly in the State Insurance Bank, this
institution being required to maintain a special fund out of which the pay
ment of pensions shall be made whenever due. The service shall be performed
gratuitously, the bank being permitted to charge only for the expense occa
sioned thereby.
Regulations of the law.— A rt. 10. The rules and regulations established by
the present law shall not affect any laws that may be enacted on insurance
against industrial accidents, invalidity, and pensions.
Legacies end donations.— A r t . 11. The pension fund provided for in the
present law may accept legacies and donations.
Annual payment of the insurance taw.— A rt. 12. The social insurance tax
may be paid annually in advance. In such cases, stamps shall be sold for the
amount of the annual payment.
[Articles 13 and 14 were revoked by the regulative decree of September 1,
1919.]
OLD-AGE PENSION LAW
49
Correction of proofs.— A rt. 15. The administration shall have the right to
institute suit for correction of the proofs presented.
If it is proved in such suit that false testimony was given, the guilty person
may be imprisoned for one or two years.
Fines.— A r t . 16. Any violation of the provisions of the present law shall
be punished by a fine of from 10 to 500 pesos.
Of these fines, 50 per cent shall go to the inspectors or to the informers.
State's contribution.— A r t . 17. The amounts to be contributed by the State
shall be included in the general expense budget.
A rt. 18. The pensions referred to in this law shall be granted three months
after its promulgation.
A rt. 19. The executive authority shall make regulations under this law.
LAW OF SEPTEM BER 1, 1919
Proofs of age and nationality.— A r t ic l e 1. Articles 13 and 14 of the law of
February 11, 1919, are hereby revoked.
A rt. 2. The proofs of age and nationality required under this law shall
consist of birth certificates of the State registry for those born after July 1,
1879, and of baptismal certificates for births prior to that date. Also paro
chial certificates or those of the State which are valid for election registration,
shall be sufficient proofs. The State Insurance Bank may accept as sufficient
proof, for the purposes of this law, birth, certificates, passports, and other
documents o f foreign countries, even though not countersigned, provided there
is no doubt of their authenticity. The bank may also accept information,
which is complete, consistent, and trustworthy concerning the age of any
petitioners who are unable to find the required documents, provided the report
of the bank’s doctors does not clearly establish that the petitioner is of the
age required by the law.
P roofs of residence.— A rt. 3. The proof of 15 years’ residence on the part of
foreigners shall be furnished by a summary inquiry at which reliable witnesses
shall testify. Such inquiries are obligatory and shall be held before the
magistrate courts ( juzgados de paz) of the jurisdiction in which the applicant
resides, in the Department of Montevideo, and before the regular courts
(juzgados letrados) in the other Departments.
Such decisions shall be
issued on ordinary paper and there shall be no costs. The certificates issued
shall be in accordance with forms to be provided by the State Insurance
Bank. I f the party concerned is unable to appear before the departmental
regular court ( juzgados letrados) and does not know how or is unable to
sign his application, another person, at his request, shall do so before the
justice of the peace, who shall then go to the home o f said party and attest
the same. The application shall then be transmitted to the regular court to
follow7 its legal course. This act may also be attested by a notary public.
Suspension of pensions.— A rt. 4. The State Insurance Bank is empowered
to suspend the pension of persons proved to be beggers 'or addicted to drink.
Provisional pensions— Their payment.— A r t . 5. When five members of the
board of directors of the State Insurance Bank deem the petitioner has
the right to a pension under the Civil Code, the pension shall be granted
provisionally, but the petitioner, assisted by the public defense counsel, shall
bring suit demanding compliance writh the requirements o f the Civil Code
and reimbursement of the provisional pensions paid by the bank. Such judg
ments shall involve no costs and shall be issued on ordinary paper, except
when, in the opinion of the judge, the obligor’s opposition to paying the pension
has merited his being sentenced to pay the costs.
Foreigners who are not entitled to pension.— A r t . 6. Foreigners who have
come to the country, incapacitated for work, after the promulgation of the law
of February 11, 1919, shall not be entitled to pension.
Certification of proofs.— A r t . 7. The State Insurance Bank is recognized as
having the same right which article 15 of the law7 of February 11, 1919, grants
the administration for instituting suit for the correction of the proofs pre
sented.
LAW OF JULY 5, 1921
Method of applying real-estate surtax
For assessing the surtax on real estate whose value is more than 200,000
pesos, prescribed by the old-age pension law, in the case of immovable property
held in joint tenancy there shall be considered only the share o f each joint-
50
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
owner, except in the case o f conjugal partnerships, whose real estate, regard
less of the legal situation, shall be considered, for purposes o f the tax, as form
ing a single unit. Corporations, congregations, and, in general, associations in
which the part o f the individual members is not specified, whether or not they
are corporate bodies, are likewise subject to the tax.
LAW OF JULY 5, 1921
Payment of the social-insurance tax— Penalties for the delinquent
A rticle 1. Those who are delinquent in the payment of the social-insurance
tax prescribed by paragraph 1 o f article 3 o f the law of February 11, 1919, shall
be penalized another stamp of a value equal to that of the tax owed if the
payment is made within a month after the time limit has expired, and double
that amount if the payment is made after that period. The same penalties
shall be imposed in case the annual sums to be paid in advance are not paid
on time. After the second month the payment of the tax and of the fines
may be demanded by the inspectors before the proper justice of peace in a
brief and summary trial under article 1177 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
The accused shall pay the costs. In such cases 50 per cent of the fines shall
go to the informers.
A rt. 2, The social-insurance tax shall be based on the daily or monthly aver
age of workers or employees in establishments with a normal working day, each
200 hours o f work per month being counted as one worker or employee in
establishments with an abnormal or discontinuous working day.
A rt. 3. Those who are delinquent in the payment of the surtax prescribed by
section 2 o f article 3 o f the law o f February 11, 1919, shall be assessed the same
penalties as those under the existing real-estate tax law for the Department of
the capital. The payment of the tax shall be made within the same time as
that prescribed by the said rea 1-estate tax.
REGULATORY DECREE OF FEBRUARY 26, 1919
Powers of Insurance Bank.— A r t i c l e : 1. The State Insurance Bank is em
powered to adopt all the measures it may deem necessary for better com
pliance with the provisions of the law under which these regulations are issued,
especially articles 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 12, 13, 14, and 15 thereof, and to this end is
empowered to prescribe its infernal regulations, which it shall submit for
approval to the executive authority.
2.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding article, the State Insurance
Bank shall prescribe in said regulations the fee or cost of investigation and
proceedings in the case o f each pension applied for, the obligation o f the
personal appearance of the party concerned, with absolute exclusion of any inter
mediary, representative, or attorney— payment to the party in person, and at
his home in case of his permanent or temporary inability to come to the offices
of the bank; the identity of the beneficiaries under the law to be assured by
means o f fingerprint cards to be issued to them free of charge by the respective
offices. Likewise, measures shall be adopted giving its agents in places in the
interior and on the seaboard power to exercise the functions assigned to the
institution in the capital.
Old people in public institutions.— A r t . 3. Any old person coming within the
conditions stated in the law (article 1) but who receives assistance in public
institutions, shall not be entitled to the pension referred to in article 1 o f the
law under which these regulations are issued.
A rt, 4 (as amended by decree o f April 7, 1919). The general board of direct
taxes shall provide for the printing o f the stamps to be sold in connection with
the social-insurance tax provided for by article 3, paragraph 1, in the follow ing
denom inations: 20 eentesimos, 60 eentesimos, 1 peso, 2 pesos, 5 pesos, 10 pesos,
and 50 pesos.
Sale of stamps.— A r t . 5. There is committed to the same board in the capital,
and to the revenue bureaus and agencies in the Departments of the seaboard
and interior, the sale o f the stamps referred to in the preceding article, and
also the providing each contributor with the book designed for the placing
.of the stamps, and the making up o f the register in the form provided by
article 8.
OLD-AGE PENSION LAW
51
Day when stamps are to he placed.— A r t . 6 . On the 10th 2 day of each month,
at the latest, any stamp which has not been pasted in the appropriate book in
the square corresponding to the month, and duly canceled with a date marker,
shall be considered as not placed, and the employer or manager shall be subject
to the penalties of the law.
Powers of labor inspectors.— A r t . 7. Compliance with the provisions referred
to in articles 4, 5, and 6 shall be under the supervision of the inspectors of the
National Labor Office. Such officials shall have power to enter establishments,
to question workers or employees concerning all matters of interest to the
inspection authority, to examine the stamp books of the contributors and in case
of any violation, to withdraw them, giving a receipt. I f any owner or repre
sentative of an establishment refuses to furnish an inspector the means he
requests for the performance o f his duty, or opposes or molests him in the
exercise of the powers granted him by the preceding clause, such owner or
representative shall be punished by a fine o f 25 pesos for each infraction proved.
A rt. 8. The general board o f direct taxes shall, by means of the press, inform
contributors of the date when it will be ready to issue stamps and books.
Real-cstaie surtax— Form o f collection.— A r t . 9. The tax which, under para
graph 2 of article 2, of the law, shall be paid by owners of real estate whose total
value is not less than 200,000 pesos, shall be collected by the general board o f
direct taxes, to whom the contributors shall present a list of their holdings,
containing the tax list number, the assessment and location o f each piece of real
estate, under a sworn declaration subscribed to personally or by a legally
authorized agent. Said presentation and the payment shall be made in the
month of July of each fiscal year, but the first payment, or that for the last
four months o f the present fiscal year, shall be made during the follow ing
month o f March.
A rt. 10. With the declarations mentioned in the preceding article, the general
board o f direct taxes shall prepare an alphabetical register of the owners
covered by the law.
A rt. 11. If, after the month o f July of any year, any owner should acquire
real estate of the value o f 200,000 pesos he shall make the proper declaration
and pay the surtax within two weeks from the date of tlie last deed.
A rt. 12. If, after the payment of the surtax, the contributor should acquire
new properties, he shall make another declaration and pay the proper additional
sum w it h in two weeks follow ing the date of the deed.
A rt. 13. The same procedure shall be followed whenever the value of the
holdings changes from that in one class to a higher class in the scale o f para
graph 2 o f article 3.
A rt. 14. When new acquisitions are made during the first half o f the fiscal
year, the additional tax shall be paid for the whole y e a r ; when they take place
in the second half, only half o f such tax shall be paid.
A rt. 15, The surtax paid on the value of real property which is transferred
during the fiscal year shall not be refunded.
Extrajudicial or judicial collection of insurance tax and surtax.— A rt. 16.
For the extrajudicial or judicial collection of the taxes created by sections 1
and 2 of the aforesaid article 3 of the law under which these regulations are
issued the same procedure shall be followed as that prescribed by the seals and
stamps law (art. 54) and the real-estate tax law for the Departments', of the
interior and seaboard (arts. 21 and 22), respectively.
Tax on playing cards— Form of payment.— A rt. 17. The tax on playing cards,
to which reference is made in section 3 of article 3 of the law, shall be paid
in the following fo r m :
(a) The present supplies shall be declared before the general board of internal
taxes in the Department of the capital, and before the revenue bureaus or
agencies in the Departments o f the seaboard and interior, before the 20th of
next March.
(b ) The above offices shall accept these declarations and deliver to the parties
concerned the stamps corresponding to the supply at the said date, in return
for payment of the proper tax.
(c ) The payment o f the tax on the supplies referred to in the preceding sec
tion shall be proved by means of bands of the proper value affixed to the cover
of each pack and which, in addition to the date o f the law and the amount o f
2 Date changed by decree of Apr. 7, 1019.
52
LABOK LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
the tax, shall bear the follow ing inscription: Supply of March 20, 1919; made
in Uruguay, or imported, according to the fact.
(d ) The offices charged with receipt o f the tax, immediately after the said
date, shall see that their employees examine the stamps on the packs and de
termine whether the tax for all the supplies has been paid, showing in writing
any infractions observed, in the form prescribed by the decree of March 28,
1905. for the imposition of the penalties provided by article 10 of the law
under which these regulations are issued.
(e ) August 31 next is fixed as the last day for liquidating, on the part o f
dealers, the supply o f playing cards to which this article refers.
i f ) September 30 is fixed as the last day for retiring ::rom circulation and
use any pack of cards not bearing the tax stamp described in article 19 o f this
decree.
(g) Violators of the preceding provisions or of any others o f this decree
shall be punished as specified in article 10 of the law and by the confiscation
o f the merchandise.
Dom estic card factories. — A r t . 18. Card factories in this country, and also
importers of cards, shall apply for registration as such at the general board o f
internal taxes and present to said board, for noting, the legally registered
tradem arks,
Pai/ment of tax on domestic cards.— A r t . 19. The payment of the tax on
cards o f domestic make, with the exception of the supplies on hand on March
20, shall be proved by the affixing of a stamp of the value of the tax, this
stamp, to be printed upon that card of each pack which the general board o f
internal taxes may determine, shall be put on under the supervision of the
fiscal employees at the time the last of the colors is printed on the cards, and
for this purpose the said board shall control the respective matrices and plates.
Of the manufacture o f the latter the establishment manufacturing them shall
keep a daily account, guaranteeing the monthly tax on the sales above the
base o f the swrorn statement o f the manufacturer. The general board of inter
nal taxes may, however, adopt any additional measures it may deem suitable
fo r determining the truth o f such declaration.
Bond to be required of manufacturers.— A r t . 20. The general board of in
ternal taxes shall require o f card manufacturers a mortgage bond covering the
amount of the tax on the stock on hand and on the monthly sales, and in no
case may the said tax exceed the amount of the bond.
Notice to be given by importers of cards.— A r t . 21. Importers of playing cards
must give written notice to the general board of internal taxes of each ship
ment, sending therewith that card of each pack specified by the said board, in
order that the appropriate tax stamp may be applied thereto, on payment o f
its amount. The stamped cards shall be placed in their respective decks at
the office of the collector o f internal taxes in the customhouse.
Wrapping of cards.— A r t . 22, The wrapping of each deck of cards, domestic
as well as imported, shall be done in such a way as to leave visible the stamp
showing the payment o f the tax.
A rt . 23. Each package o f 12 decks of cards shall carry, in addition, an inspec
tion ribbon or band. Said packages shall be made, and the band or ribbon
applied, in the presence o f the revenue agents in the factories or in the office o f
the collector o f internal taxes in the customhouse, and the said agents shall
cancel the bands in the way to be determined by the general board o f internal
taxes.
Supervision of supplies o f cards.— A r t . 24. The said board shall have power to
verify, at any time, the supply of cards in factories, and upon any irregularity
being established the tax shall become due and payable at o n ce ; and the manu
facturer shall also incur the penalties specified in the law.
A rt. 25. The internal tax officials shall have unrestricted access to all places
in which cards are manufactured, stored, sold, or used, and they shall note
in writing any infractions o f the law under which these regulations are issued,
a record which shall be subscribed by the employee and the violator, and if
the latter refuses to do so, by two witnesses. I f it should not be possible to
comply with the latter requisite the employee shall call upon the police force for
aid, which shall be given him at once, and the statement shall be signed also
by the superior police official who has intervened.
Imposition of fines.— A r t . 26. The general board of internal taxes shall decide
any questions that may arise with reference to the parties concerned, and shall
impose the fines provided by the law under which these regulations are issued.
Appeal may be taken from these decisions to the Department o f the Treasury.
OLD-AGE PENSION LAW
53
A rt. 27. The expenditures required in the enforcement of the part o f the law
relating to direct and internal taxes shall be charged against the proceeds of
the tax until such time as such expenditures are incorporated in the law o f the
general budget of expenditures.
A rt. 28. Montevideo i> <]• dared to be the only port through which cards may
be imported into the Republic.
Provisions conoe: .;/;<// a ,-ohols— Amplifications.— A r t . 2 9. The existing regu
latory provisions with iv.-peet to alcohols are amplified by those follow in g:
(a)
Dealers in alcohols, regardless of their nature or to what use they may
be put, shall be enrolled on the registers to be furnished by the general board
of internal taxes, and they shall be required to keep such accounts as the
said board may determine, in printed books which it shall furnish to the parties
at cost price. This requirement includes producers of and dealers in vinic
alcohols,
(&) Manufacturers and importers of alcohols may sell them only to dealers
registered according to section ( a).
( c ) Every dealer in alcohols is required to note daily in the book referred to
in section {a) the quantity of alcohol bought and sold, or transformed in the
same establishment.
(d) The requirement of the customhouse permit set forth in article 5 of the
decree of August 29, 1907, is extended to all alcohol, either denatured or for
drinking purposes, which circulates in quantities of more than 1 liter.
(e) The general board of internal taxes shall supervise in the usual way
the stills in liquor shops and shall regulate their use.
Vio a,lions not penalized by the taw laws.— A r t . 30. All violations o f the law
under which these regulations are issued occurring in connection with alcohols
and not penalized in the special tax laws, shall be punished in accordance with
Article 16 of said law.
A rt. 31. The general board of internal taxes is empowered to adopt any
measures tending to the better administration o f the tax, within existing legal
and regulatory provisions.
Amount in Bank of the Rcpub ic.— A r t . 32. The Bank of the Republic shall
open a special account in favor of the State Insurance Bank which shall be
called “ old-age pension law ” and in which shall be entered all the revenues
from the taxes and contributions created by the law under which these regula
tions are issued.
The sums collected in the Departments of the seaboard and interior shall
be remitted to the proper branches of the said bank, in order to be credited to
the said account.
DECREE OF A PR IL 21, 1919
Payment of social insurance tax when worker's or employees are engaged tempo
rarily or not continuously—Application of surtax
A r t ic l e 1. In cases where employers or managers employ workmen for a
temporary period or for one which is not continuous, each period o f 200 hours of
work per month shall be considered as one workman or employee fo r the pur
poses of the payment of the social-insurance tax prescribed in paragraph 1 of
Article 3.
A rt. 2. The surtax described in paragraph 2 of article 3 and applicable to
owners of real property valued at not less than 200,000 pesos, shall be assessed
on all such property, once its value reaches the minimum figure specified in said
section and in the proportions fixed by the same, gradation of rates not being
permitted.
For the purposes o f the payment of this tax, real estate belonging to husband
and wife shall be regarded as belonging to a single proprietor, whatever the
system under which it may have been managed.
DECREE OF SEPTEM BER 15: 1919
Penalties for violating the provisions of paragraph 2, article 3, of the law of
February 11 shall be estimated at 50 per cent of the amount o f the tax unlaw
fully withheld, subject to the limitation o f 500 pesos as the maximum o f any
such fine.
54
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
RETIREMENT AND PENSIONS FOR PUBLIC-SERVICE EMPLOYEES
AND LABORERS
LAW OF OCTOBER 6, 1919
C h apter
I
A r t i c l e 1. There is created hereby, as an institution o f the State and subject
to the provisions of this law, the “ Retirement and pension fund for publicservice employees and workmen.”
Those entitled to pension.— A r t . 2. Employees and laborers in railroad,
telegraph, street railway, telephone, water and gas distributing enterprises and
in those that may be established hereafter, shall be pensioned in accordance
to the present law.
Employees of restaurants and confectioneries rim in connection with the
railroads shall enjoy the same benefits, even when they work for concessionaires.
Chapter
II.— Administration of the fund
D irectors of the fund.— A rt. 3. The administration o f the fund shall be in
charge of an honorary board of directors composed of 9 m em bers: 3 rep
resentatives of the enterprises, 3 of the employees and workmen of the same,
and 3 to be named by the executive authority.
The members of the board of directors shall hold office for three years and
shall be replaced by threes, the term of one representative of each party expiring
each year; they shall, however, be eligible for reelection. When the first
board of directors is constituted, the members whose terms are to expire in
the first two years shall be chosen by lot.
Rules and regulations.— A rt. 4. The board of directors, which shall function
in the capital of the Republic, shall be governed by the rules and regulations to
be prescribed for that purpose.
Form of election.— A rt. 5. The delegates of the personnel of the enterprises
shall be elected directly, by secret ballot.
The election lists of the enterprises and of the workmen and employees thereof
shall consist of one principal and three alternates. In the first election, they
shall consist of three principals and six alternates.
A rt. 6. The form of election and the qualifications of the persons chosen shall
be determined in the regulations to be issued under this law.
C hapter
III. — Capital of the fund
A rt. 7. The capital of the fund shall be composed of the following item s:
(a )
A monthly contribution from the enterprises equivalent to 8 per cent o f
the total amount of salaries and wages paid to the personnel.
In the case covered by paragraph 2 of article 2 th e ’preceding obligation shall
rest upon the concessionaires.
(&) A compulsory deduction of 4 per cent of the total pay of the persons
covered by article 2.
(c ) Donations and legacies left to the fund.
(d) Fines imposed according to this law.
(e ) Net receipts from sales of articles left on railroads and street cars, and
overpayments not reclaimed within the period of six months.
( f ) Interest on the funds accumulated.
(g ) The increase in the first month’s pay when employees or workmen are
given better-paid positions, provided the pay is more than 50 pesos and the
position is permanent.
A rt. 8. A tax of from 1 to 3 per cent shall be levied on the services rendered
by the different enterprises, to be borne by those who usrt paid services, and in
those cases in which the application of the tax is fe
ble. This tax shall
become effective at the end of three years from the enr. % ,ient of this law. and
the executive authority shall determine in each case, a> rding to the needs of
the fund, the services to be afV'ected, and the rate of the \ix within the specified
limits.
Balance sheet and report.— A r t . 9. The directors of the fund shall present
annually to the executive authority a balance sheet and a report o f , the work
accomplished.
PUBLIC-SERVICE RETIREMENT AND PENSIONS
55
Contribution by State.— A rt. 10. If the estimated resources should not be
sufficient to cover the total amount of the pensions to be paid during the follow
ing year, the State shall contribute the difference. In such case the board of
directors shall request the executive authority to adopt appropriate measures
for covering that difference.
Manner o f making deductions.— A rt. 11. The directors of the enterprises whose
personnel come under the benefits of thi^ law are required to make the deduc
tions referred to in section (b ) [article 7] and to pay them in cash, together
with the amount collected under sections (a) , ( e) , and (g) of the same article,
into the Bank of the Republic, to the credit of the fund, within 10 days after
the end of each month, without any deduction under any pretext.
Destination of capital.— A rt. 12. The capital obtained shall be the exclusive
property of the fund, whose board of directors shall have charge of the payment
of the pensions to be granted hereafter under this law.
Investment of the capital.— A rt. 13. The capital of the fund, after deduction
of the amounts required for current payments, shall be invested, after a resolu
tion of the board of directors in each case, in national bonds, or in subsidiary
State-guaranteed bonds, so that it may produce a larger and safer interest and
the most frequent capitalization.
Supervision of contributions.— A rt. 14. The board of directors of the fund
shall propose measures for guaranteeing the responsibility o f the comptroller
of the contributions constituting its treasury, submitting such measures for
approval to the executive authority.
Nonattachable.— A rt. 15. The property and effects coming under this law
are not subject to attachment.
C hapter IV.— Retirem ent
How right to retirem ent is acquired.— A rt. 16. The right to retirement is
acquired, in the proportion and under the circumstances determined by this
law, after 10 years of service, whether continuous or not; previous service in
any of these enterprises is to be counted, and the proper reimbursements made.
Service in other departments of the Government and which is recognized by
the civil pensions law shall also be included.
When retirem ent pay is given.— A rt. 17. This right may be acquired by all
employees and workmen who have served 30 years.
A rt, 18. The same right may be acquired by the following who, though they
have not served 30 years, have completed the minimum service fixed by
article 16 :
{a) Those discharged by the enterprises.
(b) Those declared physically unfit for continuing the work.
(c ) Those who have reached the age of 50 years, whether or not at that
date they are in the active service of the enterprises.
Employees and workmen included under this article shall be entitled to
one-thirtieth part of the full pension for each year of service.
A rt. 19. Employees or workmen who, whatever their length of service, have
become permanently disabled in the line of duty are also entitled to retirement.
A rt. 20. Retirement for invalidity may not be granted without a previous
report from the doctor or doctors designated for that purpose by the board
of directors, regarding the causes o f the alleged physical or mental disability.
The board of directors shall, moreover, order any investigation it may deem
proper.
Scale of retirement pensions.— A rt. 21. Retirement pensions shall be fixed in
accordance with the follow ing sca le:
Those who earn 50 pesos or less shall receive as pension the full salary
or wage.
Those who earn more than 50 pesos shall receive as pension 50 pesos, plus
95 eentesimos for e ici dditional peso of any salary or wage up to 60 pesos.
Those who earn md
than 60 pesos shall receive as pension 59.50 pesos plus
90 eentesimos for <ac
Additional peso of any salary or wage up to 80 pesos.
Those who earn moi* han 80 pesos, shall receit*? as pension 77.50 pesos, plus
85 eentesimos for each dditional peso of any salafy or wage up to 100.
Those who earn m oic hc.n 100 pesos shall receive as pension 94.50 pesos, plus
80 eentesimos for eieh additional peso of any salary or wage up to 125.
Those who earn more than 125 pesos shall receive as pension 114.50 pesos, plus
75 eentesimos for each additional peso o f any salary or wage up to 150.
56
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
Those who earn more than 150 pesos shall receive as pension 138.25 pesos
plus 70 centesimos for each additional peso of any salary or wage up to 175.
Those who earn more than 175 pesos shall receive as pension 150.75 pesos,
plus 65 centesimos for each additional peso of any salary or wage up to 200.
Those who earn more than 200 pesos shall receive as pension 167 pesos plus
60 centesimos for each additional peso of any salary or wage up to 225.
Those who earn more than 225 pesos shall receive as pension 182 pesos, plus
55 centesimos for each additional peso of any salary or wage up to 250.
Those who earn more than 250 pesos shall receive as pension 195.75 pesos,
plus 50 centesimos for each additional peso of any salary or wage up to 275.
Those who earn more than 275 pesos shall receive as pension 208.25 pesos,
plus 45 centesimos for each additional peso of any salary or wage up to 300.
Those who earn more than 300 pesos shall receive as pension 219.50 pesos, plus
40 centesimos for each additional peso of any salary or wage up to 325.
Those who earn more than 325 pesos shall receive as pension 229.50 pesos,
plus 35 centesimos for each additional peso of any salary or wage up to 350.
Those who earn more than 350 pesos shall receive as pension 238.25 pesos,
plus 30 centesimos for each additional peso of any salary or wage up to 375.
Those who earn more than 375 pesos shall receive as pension 245.75 pesos,
plus 25 centesimos for each additional peso of any salary or wage up to 400.
Those who earn more than 400 pesos shall receive as pension 252 pesos, plus
20 centesimos for each additional peso of any salary or wage up to 425.
Those who earn more than 425 pesos shall receive as pension 257 pesos, plus
15 centesimos for each additional peso o f any salary or wage up to 450.
Those who earn more than 450 pesos shall receive as pension 260.75 pesos,
plus 10 centesimos for each additional peso of any salary or wage.
All pensions o f less than 100 pesos are subject to deduction o f 4 per cent of
the total amount.
Calculation of amount of retirement pension.— A r t . 22. The amount of the
ordinary retirement pension shall be calculated on the basis of the average
earnings during the last five years of service and subject to the scale set forth
in the preceding article.
W ho grants retirement pension.— A r t . 23. The retirement pension shall be
granted by the board of directors of the fund, to whom application shall be
made, supported by the proper documents.
When retirement pension starts.— A r t . 24. A retirement pension shall date
from the day when the worker retires, but it must be applied for during the
period of his services or within six months thereafter. I f application is made
after the expiration of such six months, it shall be paid, in the proper cases,
from the date of the petition.
Disagreement of applicant.— A r t . 25. In case of disagreement on the part of
the applicant, appeal may be taken from the decision of the board of directors
to the departmental judge advocate, who. with the administrative papers and
the certification which, ex officio and for his better guidance, he may request
of the said board or of the applicants, shall decide, without further appeal, as
to whether the law was applied correctly or not.
Mediation of Insurance Bank.— A r t . 26. In the cases specified in article 18,
sections (a ) and (1)), occurring before the completion of 10 years’ service, the
board of directors of the fund shall deposit all contributions, together with
interest thereon, in the State Insurance Bank in the name of the contributing
employee.
The State Insurance Bank, through the agency of the popular insurance sec
tion, shall pay the proper pensions, whenever applied for, in the form established
by the bank.
The same procedure shall be followed with all those who, for whatever reason,
leave the service before having completed 10 years’ service.
W orkmen reemployed by enterprise.— A r t . 27. When a workman or employee
covered by the preceding article returns to the employ of the enterprise, the
contributions, together with interest thereon, referred to in that article, shall
be redeposited in the pension fund, and the corresponding years of service shall
be computed.
Residence.— A r t . 28. Those who settle in a foreign country shall not be
entitled to an annuity. In case of absence of more than six months, the
express authorization of the board of directors shall be obtained.
Loss of pension.— A r t . 29, The retirement pension is for life, and the right
to receive it is not lost except for the causes specified in this law.
PUBLIC-SEEVICE RETIREMENT AND PENSIONS
57
C hapter V .— Pen s ion s
Right to pension.—A rt. 30. I f under this law an employee or workman has
acquired a right to a retirement pension, should he die, a pension shall be
received by the widow, the invalid widower, the children, or, if there are
no children, the parents, and, if they are not living, the unmarried sisters
of the deceased. If the deceased had already been receiving a retirement pen
sion, the persons just enumerated shall be entitled to a pension under the cir
cumstances set forth in the following articles, provided they establish their
claims and the existence of the retirement pension.
Such right shall exist in the case of article 18, even when the principal has
not attained 50 years o f age.
An employee or a workman who lias served more than 10 years, and who dies
while still employed, shall leave a pension equivalent to that to which he would
have been entitled had he been retired for disability.
A rt. 31. In case of death before the principal has completed the 10 years
of service required by this law, the contributions paid in shall pass to the
State Insurance Bank, which shall grant the proper pension.
Amount of pension.— A r t . 32. The amount o f the pension shall be equivalent
to 50 per cent i the retirement pension which the principal was receiving or
to which he was entitled.
When pension starts.— A r t . 33. Every pension legally granted dates from
the death of the original pensioner. However, application therefor must be
made within three months follow ing the said date; otherwise, the provision of
article 24 shall govern.
Manner and order of right to pension.— A r t . 3 4 . Right to the pension shall
be in the manner and order follow in g :
(а ) To the widow or incapacitated widower, concurrently with the children.
(б ) To the children only.
(c )
To the widow, concurrently with the parents of the deceased, if they
were dependent on him.
id ) To dependent parents.
(e ) To unmarried sisters, if dependent.
I ll e g it im a te children.— A r t . 35. Illegitimate children who are legally recog
nized or declared to be such by judicial decree, shall receive that portion of
pension to which they are entitled according to civil law.
A rt. 36. The right to the pension is lost:
(a) By the widow or mother, in case of remarriage.
(b) By the sons, when they become 18 years o f age.
(c) By the daughters or sisters, when they marry or reach the age of 25
years, unless in the form er case they are incapacitated.
(d) For the causes and under the circumstances specified in article 28.
Increase.— A rt. 37. In cases (a) and (b) o f article 34, when the right to
pension ceases as to any o f the persons mentioned therein, that part shall be
distributed among the other children who are beneficiaries under this law.
Who grants pensions.— A r t . 38. The pensions shall be granted by the directors
of the fund, to whom application shall be made, supported by evidence proving
that the applicant is entitled to the benefits o f this law.
The board of directors shall definitely grant or reject the petition, but its
decisions may be appealed from in the form and for the purposes specified in
article 25.
Those not entitled to pension.— A r t . 39. Those who are retired or receiving
another pension from the same fund are not entitled to pension. The party to
be benefited must choose the one desired, and when the choice is made he loses
rights to the others.
Character of pensions.— A rt. 40. The pensions are for life, and the right to
receive them does not become prescribed; it is lost, however, through the causes
specified in this law, both with respect to pensions and retirement pensions.
a
all
C h apter
VI
R etroactivity.— A rt. 41. Right to retirement and pension under this law is
possessed by those employees and workmen mentioned in article 2 and who
are employed at the time of the ratification of said law and thereafter; those
who have left the employ of the enterprises since January 1, 1919, are also
included.
58
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
Acts that are void.— A rt. 42. The pensions are unattachable and inalienable.
Any sale, transfer, or setting up of rights affecting them and impeding their
free enjoyment by the person entitled to receive the same, shall be null and void.
Suspension of right.— A rt. 43. Employees or workmen without a family to
support and who have fulfilled the requirements for being retired, but who
before being so have been sentenced to a term in the penitentiary, shall have
that right suspended for the time of the confinement.
In case they have a family to support, those entitled to pension under this
law shall receive that pension corresponding to the retirement pension sus
pended.
Contributions of employees and workers. — A rt. 44. In order to fix the contri
bution of the laborers or employees and the monthly contribution of the enter
prises, there shall be taken as the base the total earnings, including under this
head, in those cases where the enterprises furnish living quarters which they
own, the actual monthly pay, plus a sum equivalent to the rent, the amount of
which shall be fixed by the enterprise for the purposes of article 7, sections (a)
and ( b) .
Workmen paid by the day or hour.— A rt. 45. For the purposes of the retire
ment pension for employees or workmen paid by the day or hour, 27 days, or
21(3 hours, shall be taken as a month.
Crediting of previous service .— A rt. 46. Workmen and employees who have
already been employed a number of years shall acquaint the directors of the
fund wTith the previous period of work with which they are to be credited. This
must be done within six months, after which time they shall lose all right.
Making up back contributions.— A rt. 47. The employees and workmen referred
to in the preceding article shall pay into the fund the contributions due from
them for that time, in accordance with the salaries or wages which they re
ceived. These contributions shall be paid by means of a monthly deduction of
3 per cent from the present salary or wage. This deduction shall also be made
by the enterprises in the form previously prescribed.
Charging of back contributions.— A rt. 48. For employees and workmen retired
before completing the payment of the sum in arrears, the amount still to be
paid in shall be charged against their pension, this amount to be made up by
means of a deduction of 10 per cent on the pension which they receive, or a
larger discount if the retired worker so desires.
Time pensions are effective. — A rt. 49. Although the right to the pension dates
from January 1, 1919, it shall not become effective until two years after the date
of the promulgation of this law,
A rt. 50. However, the fund shall begin to provide pensions to date for the
personnel discharged from the enterprises because of having reached the m ax
imum age limit.
A rt. 51. In the cases covered by article 16 the fund shall demand from the
national civil pensions fund, or shall return to the same, the sums corre
sponding proportionately.
D uty of enterprises. — A rt. 52. The enterprises covered by this law are re
quired to furnish the board of directors of the fund with all information
requested concerning their personnel and to permit such verification as the said
directors may deem pertinent. They shall state in writing to the board of
directors the size of the personnel at the time, and the age, pay, and years of
service of each employee or workman. They shall also report each case of
increase in pay, and also when a person resigns or is taken on, and in general
the entire movement of the personnel in their employ.
Fines.— A rt. 53. Enterprises making false statements or shown to be- placing
obstacles in the way of faithful compliance with this law shall be punished by
a fine ranging between 200 and 1,000 pesos.
A rt. 54. Enterprises failing to deposit, at the time and in the form presented
by articles 11 and 47 of this law, the sums required under the law, shall incur
a fine of 100 pesos for each day’s delay until the time the said sums are received,
together with 7 per cent interest per annum running from the first day of the
delay.
The president of the board of directors shall have power to act as attorney
in conducting the proper suits before the courts, to make effective the require
ments and penalties of this law.
The decisions of the board of directors, recorded in the minute books and
approved, shall constitute public documents.
Those receiving pensions prior to the law. — Art. 55. Those resident in this
country who have obtained and are now receiving pensions granted by public*
PUBLIC-SERVICE RETIREMENT AND PENSIONS
59
service enterprises may take advantage of the provisions of this law under the
same conditions and subject to the same retroactive features as those who are
newly pensioned or retired.
A rt. 56. The board o f directors of the fund shall make regulations under this
law and submit said regulations fo r approval to the executive authority.
REGULATORY DEGREE OF MARCH 19, 1921
Election of board o f directors of the fund
C hapter I .— Election o f representatives of the enterprises
Election system.— A r t i c l e 1. The enterprises coming under the law shall elect
annually one principal and two alternates to the board of directors of the fund,
the position of principal going to the one who receives the largest number of
votes.
In case of a tie between two or more candidates, the procedure shall be accord
ing to article 25 of the present regulations.
Who may vote.— A r t . 2. The vote shall be exercised by the legal representa
tives of the enterprises, but other persons may vote in the name of these
representatives if there be presented an express authorization attested by a
notary public.
Method of determining number of votes of enterprises.— A r t . 3. For the pur
poses of the election the number o f votes of the different utilities shall be in
proportion to the amount of their 8 per cent contribution for the month o f
January, as fo llo w s :
Those having deposited from 1 to 100 pesos shall have 1 vote.
Those having deposited from 100 to 500 pesos shall have 2 votes.
Those having deposited from 500 to 2,500 pesos shall have 3 votes.
Those having deposited from 2,500 to 5,000 pesos shall have 4 votes.
Those having deposited from 5,000 to 10,000 pesos shall have 5 votes.
Those having deposited from 10,000 to 15,000 pesos shall have 6 votes.
Those having deposited from 15,000 or more pesos shall have 7 votes.
For utilities for which there are no data for the month of January the num
ber of votes shall be based on the most recent data there is, and in accordance
with the scale set forth in this article.
Electoral board.— A rt. 4. The directors shall act jointly as an electoral
board; they shall convene the electors by means of a notice published in two
daily newspapers; they shall receive the votes on the day appointed; they
shall count the votes and decide finally any question arising in relation to the
matters under their control.
Qualifications for election.— A r t . 5. The delegates elected by the enterprises
shall be employees o f the public utilities specified in article 2 o f the law of
October 6, 1919. If, however, during the exercise of his functions as delegate,
one should cease to be such an employee, he may continue on the board o f
directors until the expiration o f his term.
Enterprises located outside the capital.— A r t . 6. Enterprises located outside
the capital may vote by mail, sending the votes by registered letter to the board
o f directors, together with the proof o f their right to vote.
C hapter I I .— Election of em ployees’ delegates
Form of election.— A rt. 7. Employees of the enterprises referred to in article
1 shall elect annually, in the manner specified in the said article, one principal
and two alternates.
A rt. 8. The board of directors shall call elections two weeks in advance, notice
to be given in the manner specified in article 4.
Electors.— A rt. 9. All employees included in the monthly lists sent by the
enterprises for the month preceding the convention are electors.
Five days before the date indicated, said enterprises shall be required to send
a supplementary list of employees taken on or laid off, specifying the office and
division in which the changes have occurred.
A rt. 10. Employees who, regarding themselves as entitled to vote, find that
they are not included in any of the 1‘sts submitted, may do so in the manner
specified further on for challenged votes, recording in writing on the envelope
the name o f the voter and the position he occupies, The board of directors,
60
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
before counting the election returns, after notice to the respective enterprise, if
it deems this necessary, shall decide as to the admission or rejection o f the vote.
Receipt of votes. — A r t . 11. On calling an election of the employees, the days
and hours when the election board will receive votes shall be specified, and as
many ballot boxes as may be needed for each election day shall be furnished.
At the hour indicated and as soon as the boxes have been examined and locked,
the reception of votes shall begin. At the time indicated for closing the elec
tion of that day the commission shall mark and seal the boxes and prepare a
statement giving the number of votes cast and also the number o f votes chal
lenged and the causes of the challenges. Before sealing the boxes there shall
be placed in each o f them a copy of the list of votes cast during the day, these
copies to be signed by the members of the board and delegates.
On the following election days the procedure shall be the same.
List o f candidates.— A r t . 12. Each elector employee shall vote for a list con
sisting o f one principal candidate and two alternates to form part of the board
of directors of the retirement and pension fund for public service employees and
workmen.
The candidates named on the lists, in order that the vote may be valid, must
satisfy the conditions specified in article 5, but in case o f leaving their employ
ment or work may exercise the prerogative set forth in the last part; of said
article.
The lists shall begin with the inscription: “ Retirement and pension fund, etc.,
period ----------” (the one in question). “ To represent the employees of public
enterprises on the board o f directors of the fund I vote for M essrs.: Princi
pal — ------ A ltern a tes----------- D a te ” (at the bottom ).
Recording the list.— A r t . 13. The election lists shall be recorded at least five
days prior to the date on which the election begins. For this purpose the
proper application must be accompanied by 50 signatures o f employees, who on
s'gn'ng shall each write beneath his name the number o f his identification
card.
Voting to be secret— Printing of ballots and envelopes.— A r t . 14. The voting
shall be entirely secret, and placing on the ballot any signature or distinctive
mark whatever shall not be permitted. The ballots shall be printed on ordinary
white paper 23 by 14 centimeters, and the envelopes— all alike and made of
paper that is not transparent— shall bear only the secretary’s seal, placed in the
square provided for that purpose in the upper right-hand corner.
D elegates of the group.— A r t . 15. Every group of more than 50 employees
may name delegates, with the power of challenging votes and of challenging
and witnessing the process of counting. Notice of the naming of delegates must
be given before the day of the election by a note to the board of directors of
the fund,
Election board.— A r t . 16. The board of directors, at the meeting on the day
preceding that fixed for the elections, shall name, by a m ajority vote, the
members who are to constitute the election b o a rd ; all its members, however, may
constitute this board if thought desirable.
The election board shall transmit to the board of directors the record of the
election, in order that the said board may make the final count.
The board room.— A r t . 17. The room occupied by the board shall communi
cate directly with another room which shall be locked and within which the
voter may vote without being observed.
Before proceeding to the reception of ballots, a statement shall be prepared,
signed by the election board and by the delegates of the electoral groups present
at the proceedings, showing that the provisions of the preceding paragraph and
the follow ing article were strictly complied with.
Secret room.— A r t , 18. The room into which the voter shall pass to inclose
his ballot in the proper envelope shall have but one door communicating with
the voting room, and this door shall be locked immediately after the voter enters
the room. Before the opening of the polls, any other openings to the room
must be closed and sealed by the election board, and persons must be denied
access thereto.
In this room there shall be printed lists of the candidates of each electoral
group, which lists shall be delivered in advance by those concerned to the
election board.
Each hour, and whenever any delegate so requests, the chairman of the board
shall go into the secret room to see if there are a sufficient number of ballots,
renewing the supply if necessary.
PIJBLIC-SERVICE RETIREMENT AND PENSIONS
61
Voting procedure.— A rt. 19. When the polls are open the voters shall present
themselves before the election board, giving the numbers on their identification
cards. When their identity is verified by the delegates of the groups present,
from whom there shall not be permitted any challenge other than that con
cerning the identity of the voters, and if this identity is not challenged, the
chairman of the board shall immediately hand the voter an empty unsealed
envelope, stamped with a rubber stamp, whereupon the voter .shall pass into
the adjoining room to inclose his ballot in said envelope. When this is done
the voter shall return to the election room and deposit his ballot in the box,
and the proper notation shall immediately be made in the register of the election
officials.
Challenge of identity.— A rt. 20. In case the identity of the voter is chal
lenged, the fact shall be noted on the election list.
When this is done, the voter shall be given the proper envelope in which to
place his ballot in the secret manner prescribed. Before the envelope is de
posited in the ballot box, it shall be inclosed by the challenged voter in another
envelope bearing the printed inscription : “ Challenged vote ” ; after this is done,
it shall be signed by the voter, who shall also put his fingerprint thereon.
When the envelope is signed also by the chairman of the board, it shall be
deposited in the box.
Votes of employees outside the capital.— A rt. 21. The votes of employees
who, by reason of their duties, are outside the Department of Montevideo, per
manently or temporarily, shall be cast in accordance with the follow ing ru les:
(а ) The board of directors shall send each enterprise a moderate number
of envelopes to distribute among its employees.
(б ) Having inclosed the list for which he votes in the proper envelope,
which he shall obtain from the enterprise, the employee shall place it inside
another envelope which he shall send sealed, together with his signature, finger
prints, number of his identification card, and a statement on the front of said
envelope to the effect that it contains his vote, to the chairman of the election
board in the offices of the fund.
(c)
The packages with the votes shall be opened while the election is in
progress and in the presence of the delegates of the electoral groups. In case
there is no challenge the mailing envelopes shall be opened and the ballots de
posited in the box, after the form ality o f sealing the inside envelopes and mak
ing the notation on the voting list. If challenge is made, the fact shall be noted
on the list, and the mailing envelope shall be deposited unopened.
Invalid lists.— A rt. 22. Lists containing corrections shall not be valid.
Invalid votes.— A rt. 23. The committee shall openly reject any vote not
strictly conforming to the conditions prescribed in the preceding article.
Tabulation.— A rt. 24. When all the votes are deposited, the challenged votes
shall first be separated. When the challenges have been decided by the board
of directors, the counting of the ballots shall begin.
System of counting.— A rt. 25. In the determination of results a mere plural
ity shall suffice. In the first place the total number of votes cast shall be
counted. Then the lists shall be classified according to candidates. The classi
fication being made, the votes cast for each list shall be counted, and that list
having the largest number of votes shall be adjudged elected.
If two or more lists should obtain the same number of votes, that list shall
be adjudged elected whose principal is an employee of a kind of enterprise
whose employees are not represented on the board of directors of the fund.
In case the principals of the lists between which a tie has occurred are em
ployees of similar enterprises, the decision shall be made by drawing of lots.
Announcement.— A rt. 26. When the returns have been verified, the result shall
be announced in the form o f a certificate of election, subscribed by the board
of directors and by delegates who may so desire.
E xecutive appointee.— A rt. 27. When the election has been concluded in ac
cordance with the preceding articles, the board of directors shall communicate
the fact to the executive authority, who shall then appoint the member, who,
together with the delegates of the employees and the enterprises, will complete
the board of directors of the fund.
Seating.— A rt. 28. The board of directors, at a special session, shall seat the
newly elected members, and the assignment of positions shall immediately be
made.
43796°— 29------ 5
62
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
Meaning of the tvord “ em p loyee” — A r t . 29. For the purposes o f this regu
lation, by “ employee ” is meant any person who performs duties of any nature
in the service of enterprises or capitalists, being entitled on that account to the
retirement pension.
REGU LATORY DECREE OF JULY 12; 1920
Application o f article lfi o f law o f October 6, 1919
1. Employees and workmen o f the enterprises included under article 2 o f the
law creating the retirement and pension fund for public-service employees and
workmen whose services prior to the promulgation o f the law are not found for
any reason in the books o f the enterprises shall nevertheless fill out the identifi
cation card prepared by the directors o f the fund and shall proceed to prove
the fact of such services by the testimony of two competent persons, preferably
those who may be working for the enterprise in question.
2. The salaries and wages of such employees and workmen, when proof of
the same is not furnished by others, shall be calculated according to the follow
ing sca le :
(a )
The time of service o f a worker by the day shall be reckoned at the rate
o f 27 days per month and at 1 peso per day.
(&) The time o f service as a salaried employee shall be reckoned: For the
first two years, at the rate o f 20 pesos per m onth; for the next three years, at
the rate o f 30 pesos per month; and from that time to the date when the em
ployee can prove what salary he received, half the time shall be calculated at
the rate o f 30 pesos per month and the other half by whatever salary the
declarer may prove.
RETIREMENT AND PENSION FUND FOR EMPLOYEES OF BANKING
INSTITUTIONS AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE
LAW OF MAY 14, 1925
A rticle 1. There is hereby created a retirement and pension fund for em
ployees o f banking institutions and the stock exchange.
Notwithstanding the preceding clause, the employees o f State banks who
desire may remain enrolled in the civil fund to which they now belong, though
they must notify the banking fund of their decision within six months o f its
creation.
[Modified June 14, 1927:] Employees who have rendered services covered by
the civil fund, and who have after May 14, 1925, entered the employ o f any of
the official banks, or who may in the future enter the employ o f said institu
tions, shall have the choice o f continuing in the civil fund or of joining this
fu n d ; those in the first case within six months after the ratification o f this law,
and the others within the same length of time after the date o f their appoint
ment. Should an em ployee'decide to change from the civil to the bank pension
fund the former fund must reimburse the latter with the amount o f the contri
butions which have been paid to it by the said employees. The provisions of
this law govern the three State banks and any that may be established in
the future.
A rt. 2. The provisions of article 1 are applicable to the directors of offi
cial banking institutions.
A rt. 3. The benefits of this fund shall be enjoyed by the employees o f the
institutions already established in this country and o f those that may be estab
lished hereafter. The banks may be institutions with head offices in this
country or branches o f institutions established abroad.
Administration of fund
A rt. 4. The fund shall be administered by an honorary council sitting in the
capital o f the Republic. It shall be composed of 5 m em bers; 2 representing
the directors of the banks, 2 the employees, and 1, who shall be president, shall
be named as its representative by the national council o f administration. Their
term of office shall be two years.
A rt. 5. Membership of the council representing the boards of directors and
the employees shall* be renewed by halves, the term of one representative of
RETIREMENT AND PENSIONS---- BANK EMPLOYEES
63
each party expiring each year. When the first council is formed, the members
to go out the first year shall be determined by lot. Such members as well as
the representative of the national council of administration shall be eligible for
reelection.
Two representatives form ing part of the directorate or personnel o f the same
institution may not sit on the council.
A rt. 6. The national council of administration shall prescribe the form of
election and proceedings of the honorary council.
Resources of fund
A rt. 7. The fund shall be composed of the follow ing resources:
(A ) A monthly contribution by the banks and stock exchange of 12 per cent
of the salaries o f the employees who join this fund.
(B ) A compulsory deduction of 5 per cent from the salaries o f such em
ployees.
(C) Back payments of 6 per cent of the amount o f salaries received by the
employees during the years with which the employee is credited and of 12 per
cent when the payments have to be deducted from his pension.
(D ) The difference in salary for the first month in which an employee re
ceives an increase of salary for any reason whatsoever.
(E ) A yearly tax of one-half per 1,000, for five years, on the amounts loaned
by each bank on mortgage, promissory notes, and overdrafts in accounts current.
[Modified June 14, 1927:] A yearly tax of one-half per 1,000 on the amounts
loaned by each bank on mortgages, promissory notes, and overdrafts in accounts
current.
Any banks that have begun to disburse half the pension to some of their
employees, in accordance with clause E of article 13, may choose between con
tinuing to do so or of paying as many months’ salary as such employees may
have years of service, up to a maximum of 15 salaries, without any deduction
on account of amounts previously paid by the bank. In this case the fund
shall pay the entire pension of the employees.
(F ) Interest on accumulated funds.
(G ) Donations and legacies.
(H ) Fines collected in accordance with the present law.
A rt. 8. Within 10 days after the end of each month the manager of each bank
shall deposit in the Bank o f the Republic, to the credit of the banking fund, the
total amount o f the contributions mentioned in clauses A and B of the preceding
article.
He shall likewise deposit, during the first 20 days of each month, onetwelfth of the contribution mentioned in clause E of the same article, calcu
lated on the monthly statement presented to the inspector of banks.
A rt. 9. The council of the fund shall present annually to the national council
of administration a balance sheet and a statement of the work accomplished,
both of which shall be published and distributed among the members of
the fund.
A rt. 10. The council of the fund shall invest its available cash in publicdebt bonds.
A rt. 11. The council of the fund shall adjust the amount of the pensions
to the resources of the institution, in such a way that there may be no deficit
of any sort.
A rt. 12. The property and effects pertaining to the fund created by this
law are not subject to attachment.
Pensions
A rt. 13. Right to a pension is acqu ired:
(A ) At 60 years of age; but for each year of service in excess of 30, one
year shall be deducted from the age.
(B ) By having reached the age of 60.
(C ) By being physically incapacitated.
(D ) By loss of employment not due to the immorality
(E ) By loss of employment after 10 years’ service, not
of the beneficiary. In this case the fund shall provide
other half to be borne by the institution which dismissed
sufficient cause.
of the beneficiary.
due to the immorality
half the pension, the
the employee without
64
LABOR
l e g is l a t io n
op
tjrtjgttay
[Modified June 14, 1927:] In cases of loss of employment not due to the
immorality or any fault of the employee, the institution dismissing him shall
turn over to the fund the amount of as many months of his last salary as the
years he has spent in the employ of said institution. This amount shall be
paid the employee, when he is credited with less than 10 years’ service in
monthly quotas not less than the salary and provided he does not take another
position entitling him to a pension. When the dismissed employee has more
than 10 years’ service, the amount shall be held by the fund, which shall imme
diately grant the corresponding pension. The maximum to be paid on this
account shall be the equivalent o f 15 months’ salary.
Should the bank deem that the payment of this contribution is not in order,
the decision as to whether there has been sufficient cause for the dismissal
shall be made by the council of the fu n d ; but either of the parties may appeal
to the court of appeals, in accordance with article 17 of this law.
Until the decision is rendered the employee shall receive h alf the salary,
which the bank shall pay monthly to the fu n d; but if the council decides
unanimously that sufficient cause is not proved for the dismissal, the employee
shall be entitled to receive his entire salary, which the bank shall pay.
A reduction of more than 10 per cent in salary, whether in one amount or
in successive amounts, unless it is justified by the conduct o f the employee,
entitles the latter to the protection of the present article, when in the judgment
o f at least four members o f the council of the fund the real object of the
reduction is to create for the employee an untenable position for the purpose
of compelling him to quit his position.
The council’s decision shall be appealable to the court of appeals. The
decisions rendered by the courts of appeals in the two cases mentioned in the
two preceding paragraphs shall be subject to review only by the same court.
The closing o f a bank, or branch, the withdrawal of affiliated offices or
agencies of foreign institutions, entitles the fund to demand the contributions
and indemnities corresponding to the retiring personnel. In cases o f suspension
of payment or bankruptcy, this right remains, the fund being a privileged
creditor.
The indemnities accorded by this law to dismissed employees shall be paid,
without prejudice to contractual or legal actions.
Should an employee with more than 10 years’ service be dismissed because of
his immorality, the only cause for the loss of his pension, the w ife and children
shall be entitled to the pension as long as they are without other resources.
The pension shall be granted if the employee who is dismissed for the abovementioned reason should die or become incapacitated.
(F ) A minimum of 10 years’ service is required for obtaining a pension.
A r t . 14. The employees of official banking institutions who join the fund
created by this law shall pay to the said fund the appropriate percentage o f
their salaries for sums in arrears, but any payments made to the civil pension
and retirement fund shall be considered valid.
A rt. 15. Services covered by any of the pension laws in force shall be
recognized for the purposes of pensions, and pensions corresponding to the last
services rendered shall be paid by the fund.
A r t . 16. The maximum pension shall be based on the average salary of the
last five years of service, with a reduction of 15 per cent when that average
exceeds 960 pesos. I f the average is more than 960 pesos, it should be reduced
by the deduction, the pension being fixed at that amount.
For the calculation of the pension treated in this law, the provisions o f the
civil retirement and pension law of 1904 shall govern, with the exception of the
deduction, which shall be that established in the preceding paragraph.
A r t . 17. Applications for pensions shall be made to the council o f the fund,
and after the due reports and investigations, shall be accepted or rejected by a
m ajority of the votes of the members o f the council. Pensions shall date from
the first day after the employee quits work.
Whenever the employee believes that the council has not strictly adhered to
the law in its decision, he may appeal to the court of appeals, and the latter’s
decision shall be final.
A rt. 18. Right to a pension shall be forfeited by those who settle in a foreign
country or who are dismissed because of their immorality. Those receiving a
pension may obtain permission from the council of the fund to leave the country
for a period not exceeding six months. To obtain such permission fo r a longer
period, a legislative authorization shall be necessary.
RETIREMENT AND PENSIONS---- BANK EMPLOYEES
65
Employees o f foreign banks shall have their personal contributions returned
to them, without interest, when such persons are transferred to other branches
of the same bank outside the country. Should they return to this country as
bank employees they shall be entitled to have their former services in this
country recognized provided they repay to the fund the total amount of the
contributions returned to them at the time of the transfer.
A rt. 19. Ex-employees of banking institutions who are now receiving regular
payments from the same on account o f pension, retirement, or anything of an
equivalent nature, are included in the benefits of the present law, the amount
of such payment to be fixed in accordance with the rules established by this law.
Persons covered by this article shall be obliged to make the reimbursements
and to accept the deductions prescribed.
Pensions
A rt. 20. When an employee dies after 10 years’ service, his widow and
children shall be entitled to a pension, or in lieu thereof, his parents, or if
he has no parents, his unmarried sisters. This pension shall consist of 50
per cent of the pension to w7hieh the deceased would have been entitled at the
date o f death, increased by 10 per cent for each minor child, until reaching
as a maximum the full amount of the pension. Moreover, the heirs above
mentioned shall be paid as a bonus an amount equal to six months o f the full
salary o f the deceased at the time of death.
A rt. 21. In case of the death of an employee who has not completed 10
years’ service, the council o f the fund shall pay the family, in a lump sum, the
amount of as many months’ salary as the deceased had years of service.
A rt. 22. In order to grant the pensions referred to in article 20 and those
to the heirs of the employee, whose death shall likewise occasion the pension
there established, the follow ing order shall be observed:
1. The widow concurrently with the children.
2. The benefits of this law are also extended to the widow and minor
children o f any employees who have died since the date o f presentation of the
proposal of this lawT, but the corresponding dues must be paid to date.
3. The children only.
4. The widow concurrently with the parents, provided the latter were
dependent on the deceased for support.
5. The parents alone, when they have been left without means of support.
6. The unmarried sisters of the deceased who are left without means of
support.
A rt. 23. Illegitimate children who have been acknowledged or who have been
declared legitimate by judicial decision shall be entitled to that portion of the
pension due them in accordance with the provisions of the civil law now
in force.
A rt. 24. Right to a pension is fo r fe ite d :
1. By the widow7 or mother on remarriage.
2. By male children on reaching the age of 18 years.
3. By daughters or sisters, on marrying.
4. For the reasons included in article 18.
A rt. 25. In the case o f pensions granted concurrently, the termination of
the right of one of the parties to the pension shall increase the amount paid
the remaining parties, but only by 50 per cent of the amount the latter were
receiving.
A rt. 26. Pensions granted under the present law can not be cumulated with
any other salary or pension of the State or its dependencies.
A rt. 27. Pensions are not subject to attachment.
Prior services
A rt. 28. The council of the fund is authorized to count services performed
prior to the passage of this law, in banking institutions and the stock exchange
and in those organizations and institutions recognized by the civil retirement
and pension laws for public employees and laborers, provided they were work
ing in institutions now governed by this fund and that they make the appro
priate back payments, the council being authorized to accept these in install
ments to be agreed on. The term o f one year, counting from the date of the
creation of the council, is hereby fixed for employees having prior service to
66
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
present themselves for the purpose of having their claims approved. The
council shall decide all applications, securing the substantiating information
from the institutions named in support of the petitioner’s statements.
A rt. 29. Employees accepting pensions who have not paid their quotas for
prior services shall be subject to a deduction o f not less than 15 per cent until
the debt is completely canceled. In case of death, the balance due shall be
deducted from the pensions in the same proportion.
Penalties
A rt. 30. Any banks that fail to deposit in the form indicated the contribu
tions specified by this law shall incur a fine o f 100 pesos for each day’s delay.
A rt. 31. Any bank making a false declaration or placing obstacles in the way
of the enforcement of this law shall be punished by a fine o f from 1,000 to 5,000
pesos, according to the seriousness of the offense.
A rt. 32. The president of the council of the fund shall be vested with the
necessary legal authority to appear before the tribunals and courts in order to
enforce the obligations and penalties o f this law.
General provisions
A kt. 33. The banks and the stock exchange covered by this law are required
to furnish all the inform ation and proofs demanded either by the council o f the
fund or by the bank inspector.
A rt. 34. The balance sheets of private banks shall be countersigned by the
bank inspector for the purpose of controlling their operations, in order to
guarantee full payment of the tax imposed by this law.
A rt. 35. A pension o f more than 400 pesos per month may not be granted.
A rt. 36. The boards or managers of the banks shall send in monthly to the
offices of the council of the fund signed sheets containing the-pay roll o f these
institutions.
A rt, 37. The obligation o f the banks to make the contribution specified in
clause E of article 7 shall begin with the operations of the first day o f the month
following the promulgation of the present law.
A rt. 38. The employees required for the work of this institution shall be
named and dismissed by the council o f the fund by a m ajority vote of its
members, and such employees shall be entitled to the benefits o f this law.
A rt . 39. The fund shall begin the distribution of pensions three years after
the promulgation of the present law, and may not grant them except in order of
priority and in maximum amounts of 30,000 pesos per annum during the first
15 years,
The following ca-es are excepted:
(A ) Total d'^ibility.
(B ) Employoes 60 years of age having rendered 35 years’ service.
(C ) Pensions of those who may have died after the introduction of this bill
(clause 2, art. 22).
(D ) Those now receiving pensions from banking institutions.
In these four cases pensions shall become effective from the time such con
ditions occur.
A rt. 40. Employees who work in more than one o f the institutions covered by
this law shall be pensioned on the basis of the highest salary.
[Modified June 14, 1927:] Employees who work in more than one o f the
institutions included in this law or who exercise professional functions may
cumulate the amount o f their pension for each position which they occupy by
paying to the fund the respective contributions and reimbursements, with the
limitation established in articles 16 and 35 of the law of May 14, 1925.
To take advantage of this right, they shall pay the discounts and quotas for
past services on that salary only.
A rt. 41, The national council of administration shall issue the regulatory
decree for the present law and that o f the fund shall formulate the by-laws of
the institution.
[Added June 14, 1927:] The terms of this law, as regards the protection given
discharged employees and those whose salaries are reduced as well as the
provisions of article 40, are retroactive to May 14, 1925.
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
67
NATIONAL LABOR OFFICE
DECREE OF OCTOBER 10, 1919
A dministration
of
the
N ational L abor Office
D irector
A rticle 1. The director represents the office in all his acts, his duties being
as follow s:
(a) To exercise general supervision over all the work.
(&) To examine the functioning of the office.
(c) To sign official papers and correspondence.
(d ) To authorize expenditures.
( e ) To grant to the personnel leaves of absence o f five days.
i f)
To correct or suspend employees when they deserve it, giving notice to
the department.
(g ) To initiate and broaden the field of activities which he may deem con
ducive to better execution of the laws and to greater enlightenment on legisla
tive questions.
Assistant director
A rt. 2. The assistant director is, in the division of authority, the immediate
chief of the personnel, for whose order and discipline he is responsible to the
director.
Duties of assistant director
(а) To take the place o f the director in case of absence or disability.
(б ) To organize the divisions; to assign the personnel th erein ; to change
the status of employees in accordance with their duties.
(c) To sign regulations pertaining to office procedure.
(d ) To edit the Bulletin and any other publications of the office.
\e) To organize the library; being empowered, for this purpose and that o f
the preceding number ( d) , to employ the services of the personnel at his
pleasure.
Secretary
A rt. 3. Duties of the secretary or the employee who acts in this capacity
until the creation, by law, o f this section, shall be:
(а ) To initiate and carry on correspondence, conferring with the director or
assistant director concerning the substance of the reply.
(&) To keep in official books a copy of papers sent out, together with the
documentary evidence, if any, bearing on the case.
(c ) To comply and secure compliance with the orders of the director or
assistant director.
(d ) To enter in a special book the regulations affecting the personnel and of
which said personnel is to be notified.
(e) To keep the attendance book o f the employees, in which he shall make
observations regarding each case.
( f) To notify his chiefs concerning changes that may be made in the office.
(g) T o draw up all official communications that may be assigned to him.
(h ) To conduct all conferences relating to the service.
Inspect oi' gen era Iship
A rt. 4. The inspector general is the immediate chief of all the inspectors, and
as such is responsible for their discipline and for the order of the work intrusted
to the section.
Duties of inspector general
{a) To supervise the organization and services of inspection and to advise
concerning anything relating to these services.
(б ) To submit the proper reports in matters submitted to him by the director’s
office and in the communications of his subordinates which he may be obliged to
pass on for their consideration.
68
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
(c) To send to the office of the director monthly, a report of the work per
formed by his subordinates, and another for publication in the Bulletin, showing
the results obtained in the enforcement of the existing laws and decrees and
indicating the omissions and defects noted.
(d ) To supervise the work of the inspectors, making periodical trips for the
purpose of superintending the progress of the work.
( e ) To comply and secure compliance on the part of his subordinates with
the orders transmitted to him by the office of the director.
( f ) To keep the follow ing hooks:
1. One in which shall be noted all the reported violations o f the labor laws.
2. One noting all the regulations transmitted to the inspectors.
3. One containing copies o f matters forwarded to the office o f the director.
4. One containing the list of employers’ and workmen’s organizations, with
the respective location, number of members, and directors of the same.
5. One containing the legal actions and reports of the inspectors, with the
dates of delivery and return.
(g) To prepare each year a report of the extra work done by the inspectors,
showing the zeal displayed by them, for the purposes of the service sheets o f
these officials.
Section chiefs
A rt. 5. Section chiefs are responsible for the discipline and application of the
employees under their orders and likewise for the distribution of the work
in
accordance with their specified duties; section chiefs are required:
(а ) To revise and correct all the work o f those under them.
(5)
To distribute tlie work among their subordinates so that they will not
delay the proper functioning of the office.
(c)
To prepare every six months a report of the wTork accomplished, noting
whether there has been any rivalry among their respective employees because
of the service sheet.
A r t . 6. The duties o f the statistical and intelligence section a r e :
1. To investigate, collect, arrange, and compile data on : ( a) Industrial acci
dents and workmen’s insurance (occupation, nationality, sex, civil status, salary
or wnge. causes, description o f the injury, healing period, etc.).
(б ) Strikes and lockouts (date, occupation, character, number, causes, dura
tion, results, etc.).
(c)
Labor migration (immigration and emigration movements, occupation,
sex, civil status, origin, etc.).
id) Articles of prime necessity (foods, current prices).
(e) Clothing (cost o f that o f the working classes).
if ) Hi".its (comparative rates).
ig ) Workmen and employees employed by the State, public administration,
municipality, industries, businesses, enterprises, agricultural work (occupation,
salaries, age, sex, civil status, nationality, hours of labor, o f rest, kind o f
machinery in use, etc.).
(h ) Workers employed and unemployed ( number, occupation, civil status,
age, nationality).
( 0 W orkers on the sick list (number, diagnosis, occupation, sex, nationality,
civil status, etc.). [Revoked by decree o f September 24, 1920.]
( / ) W orkers’ and employers’ organizations (associations, unions, number of
members, character, etc.).
2. To watch the supply and demand of labor, endeavoring at the same time to
put the employing and working elements in touch with each other (in the
country this service shall be performed by the departmental labor inspectors).
3. To gather the history of any movement in the district for the preparation
o f monthly statistics, including the supply, demand, and number placed.
4. The statistics of demand and o f workers placed shall include as essential
data the profession or occupation o f the worker, nationality, sex, civil status,
and birthplace. The last is to be included only in the case o f demand. In the
case of workers placed, only the occupation and sex shall be given.
5. To oversee compliance with the laws making it compulsory, in introducing
a new industry, to employ a certain proportion of Uruguayan workers, periodical
reports on this matter must be sent to the director’s office.
0,
To supervise the activities o f private employment agencies, endeavoring
at the same time to secure data concerning their operations for statistical
purposes.
NATIONAL LABOR OFFICE
69
7. To keep a special record o f the supply o f and demand for agricultural
workers, in accordance with the decree o f the Department o f Industries relat
ing thereto.
8. To study the condition of each trade and to specify the measures it may
deem expedient to be adopted when there is a shortage or surplus o f supply
or demand in a certain trade.
A rt. 7. The duties of the public employment registry section a r e :
(a ) To establish, with the consent of the director’s office, contacts with
similar bureaus in other countries, for the greater success of its activities.
(b ) To keep a special register for domestic service, in which shall be noted
all facts concerning the previous life o f each worker, the name, sex, nationality,
civil status, houses where he has worked, etc.
(c ) In addition to these data, the section shall keep a register in which
it may note all other matters required for the fulfillment of its duties.
A rt. 8. Du! ‘es of the mail and file section a r e :
{a ) To attend to the incoming mail, transmitting all matters to the secretary’s
office for appropriate decisions.
(b) To prepare notices and summons.
(c ) To issue the leaflets and books showing working hours.
(d ) To file in the archives completed transactions keeping for this purpose
the proper index books.
(e ) To guard the equipment o f the office, not being permitted to deliver
any part of it to employees without previous authorization from a superior.
A rt. 9. The duties o f the treasury and accountancy section a r e :
1. Of the treasury:
(a ) The collection o f fines.
(b ) The administration and custody of the securities o f the office.
(c ) The equipment of the office and of the employees.
2. Of the accounting office: A classified notation o f :
(a) The collections.
(b) The administration o f the amounts o f fines.
(c ) The receipts and disbursements of the office.
(d ) That relating to the equipment o f the employees (operations concern
ing wages, discounts, drafts, etc.)
Inspectors in the capital
Art. 10. The inspectors shall be regarded as administrative officials, their
functions being the follow ing in addition to those that may be intrusted to them
by the d ire cto r and the inspector general:
1. To make inspections in their respective zon es; to keep the inspector general
informed as to the execution and fulfillment o f the labor laws, and also o f the
complaints made to them and of the difficulties encountered on their visits.
2. To communicate by note to the inspector general any observed violations
of the various laws with whose enforcement they are charged.
3. To prepare a monthly account of the visits made, a report of the industries
which they have inspected, and a report on any strikes and lockouts that have
occurred in their respective zones.
4. To make any investigations concerning working conditions they may be
called upon to make.
5. To intervene at the proper time in disputes between workmen and
employers.
6. To gather each day at the office at specified hours, to receive orders from
the inspector general or his representative, remaining there only long enough
for that purpose.
7. To keep a record on which shall be noted daily the inspections made, the
name of the establishment, locations, number o f workmen, working hours,
registration number, etc.
Departmental inspectors
A rt. 11. The departmental inspectors shall have the duties:
1. Provided in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 o f article 10 and, in addition, the
follow in g :
2. To keep on file:
(а ) A collection of the laws and decrees with whose enforcement they have
been charged;
(б ) Circulars and instructions issued by the office;
70
LABOR LEGISLATION OF URUGUAY
( c ) A complete account of the establishments in their zones;
(d ) Licenses renewed or canceled;
(e) Legal actions occasioned by the reports of the inspectors and a dupli
cate of any reports which had to be forwarded to the director’s office;
(/ ) Printed matter necessary to the service sent to them by the office.
3.
To send to the inspector general itineraries o f their journeys each time
they go 011 a tour of inspection.
DECREE OF MARCH 5, 1920
Inspection aids— Their functions
Inspection aids sh a ll:
(a) Attend daily to the work of the office and inside labor inspection service.
(b) Substitute for the inspectors when the good of the service so requires;
but only for the purpose of inspecting conditions under which work is done
and o f pointing out violations without imposing fines or intervening in the
im position of any penalty.
When a violation has been proved they shall
fu rn ish the zone inspector with the proofs of the case so that the latter may
initiate the due proceedings.
DECREE OF MAY 27, 1921
Sections of industrial accidents and woman and child labor
A rticle 1. There is committed to the Labor Office the organization, with its
present personnel, of two new sections charged with services not specified in
the existing regulations on “ Industrial acciden ts” and “ Woman and child
labor.”
A rt . 2. Duties of the “ Industrial accidents ” section shall b e :
1. To prepare all reports relating to industrial accidents, safety appliances,
condition o f machinery, buildings, etc.
2. To prepare an account o f the accidents occurring during the year, properly
classified.
3. To establish models o f safety devices for the purpose of aiding industry
in complying with the law on prevention of industrial accidents.
4. To set forth in a special book the condition of the establishments inspected,
giving the necessary data.
5. To issue the proper certificates in each case.
6. To send each month to the office a report of the accidents that have oc
curred, together with the necessary data for statistical purposes.
7. To present, each year, a study which may facilitate improvements in safety
devices in use.
A rt. 3. Duties of the “ woman and child labor ” section shall be:
1. The supervision of existing social laws in establishments where women
and children are employed, and particularly the chair law.
2. The formulation of methods of control to be put in practice as soon as the
law regulating the employment of women and minors has been enacted.
3. The making o f investigations concerning the material and moral condition
of women and children employed in industry and commerce, inform ing the office
quarterly o f the results obtained,
DECREE OF JULY 22, 1921
Price of weeklij-rest leaflets an dbooks issued by National Labor Office
A rticle 1. The National Labor Office is authorized to issue the weekly-rest
leaflets and books at 5 and 10 centesimos, respectively. The office shall, how
ever, provide said documents gratuitously during the first three months in
which they are issued.
A rt. 2. The proceeds from the copies issued shall be used in paying the cost of
the same.
A rt. 3. The accountancy and treasury section of the office shall make a special
account for the printed matter referred to, and in due time shall remit the
appropriate vouchers to the General Accounting Office of the Nation.
LIST OF BULLETINS OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
The following is a list of all bulletins of the Bureau of Labor Statistics published since
July, 1912, except that in the case of bulletins giving the results of periodic surveys of the
bureau only the latest bulletin on any one subject is here listed.
,
A complete list of the reports and bulletins issued prior to July 1912, as well as the bulletins
,
published since that date will be furnished on application.
Bulletins marked thus
(*)
are
out of print.
Conciliation and Arbitration (including strikes and lockouts).
*No. 124, Conciliation and arbitration in the building trades of Greater New York.
[1913.]
*No. 133. Report of the industrial council of the British Board of Trade on its inquiry
into Industrial agreements.
[1913.]
No. 139. Michigan copper district strike.
[1914.]
No. 144. Industrial court of the cloak, suit, and skirt Industry of New York City.
[1914.]
No. 145. Conciliation, arbitration, and sanitation in the dress and waist industry of
New York City.
[1914.]
♦No. 191. Collective bargaining in the anthracite-coal industry.
[1916.]
♦No. 198. Collective agreements in the men’s clothing industry.
[1916.]
No. 233. Operation of the industrial disputes investigation act of Canada.
[1918.]
No. 225. Joint industrial councils in Great Britain.
[1919.]
No. 283. History of the Shipbuilding Labor Adjustment Board, 1917 to 1919.
No. 287. National W ar Labor Board : History of its formation, activities, etc. [1921.]
No. 303. Use of Federal power in settlement of railway labor disputes. [1922.]
No. 341. Trade agreement in the silk-ribbon industry of New York City. [1923.]
No. 402. Collective bargaining by actors. [1926.]
No. 468. Trade agreements, 1927.
No. 481. Joint industrial control in the book and job printing industry.
[1928.]
Cooperation.
No. 313. Consumers’ cooperative societies in the United States in 1920.
No. 314. Cooperative credit societies in America and in foreign countries.
[1922.]
No. 437. Cooperative movement in the United States in 1925 (other than agricultural).
Employment and Unemployment.
*No. 109. Statistics of unemployment and the work of employment offices in the
United States.
[1913.]
No. 172. Unemployment in New York City, N. Y.
[1915.]
*No. 183. Regularity of employment in the women’s ready-to-wear garment industries.
[1915.]
♦No. 195. Unemployment in the United States.
[1916.]
No. 196. Proceedings of the Employment Managers’ Conference held at Minneapolis,
Minn., January 19 and 20, 1916.
♦No. 202. Proceedings of the conference of Employment Managers’ Association of
Boston, Mass.. held May 10, 1916.
No. 206. The British system of labor exchanges.
[1916.]
No. 227. Proceedings of the Employment Managers’ Conference, Philadelphia, Pa.,
April 2 and 3, 1917.
No. 235. Employment system of the Lake Carriers’ Association.
[1918.]
♦No. 241. Public employment offices in the United States. [1918.]
No. 247. Proceedings of Employment Managers’ Conference, Rochester, N. Y., May
9 -1 1 , 1918.
No. 310. Industrial unemployment: A statistical study of its extent and causes.
[1922.]
No. 409. Unemployment in Columbus, Ohio, 1921 to 1925.
Foreign Labor Laws.
♦No. 142. Administration of labor laws and factory inspection in certain European
countries. [1914.]
(I)
Housing,
*No. 158. Government aid to home owning and housing of working people in foreign
countries.
[1914.]
No. 263. Housing by employers in the United States.
[1920.]
No. 295. Building operations in representative cities in 1920.
No. 469. Building permits in the principal cities of the United States in [1921 to]
Industrial Accidents and Hygiene.
*No. 104. Lead poisoning in potteries, tile works, and porcelain enameled sanitary ware
factories.
[1912.]
No. 120. Hygiene of the painter’s trade. [1913.]
*No. 127. Dangers to workers from dusts and fumes, and methods of protection.
[1913.]
♦No. 141. Lead poisoning in the smelting and refining of lead.
[1914.]
*No. 157. Industrial accident statistics.
[1915.]
*No. 105. Lead poisoning in the manufacture of storage batteries
[1914.]
♦No. 179. Industrial poisons used in the rubber industry.
[1915.]
No. 188. Report of British departmental committee on the danger in the use of lead
in the painting of buildings. [1916.]
*No. 201. Report of committee on statistics and compensation insurance cost of the
International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commis
sions.
[1916.]
♦No. 207. Causes of death, by occupation.
[1917.]
♦No. 209. H y g ie n e of the printing trades.
[1917.]
♦No. 219. Industrial poisons used or produced in the manufacture of explosives.
[1917.]
No. 221. Hours, fatigue, and health in British munition factories.
[1917.]
No. 230. Industrial efficiency and fatigue in British munition factories.
[1917.]
*No. 231. Mortality from respiratory diseases in dusty trades (inorganic dusts).
[1918.]
♦No. 234. Safety movement in the iron and steel industry, 1907 to 1917.
No. 236. Effects of the air hammer on the hands of stonecutters.
[1918.]
No. 249. Industrial health and efficiency. Final report of British Health of Munition
Workers’ Committee.
[1919.]
♦No. 251. Preventable death in the cotton-manufacturing industry*
[1919.]
No. 256. Accidents and accident prevention in machine building.
[1919.]
No. 267. Anthrax as an occupational disease.
[1920.]
No. 276. Standardization of industrial accident statistics.
[1920.]
No. 280. Industrial poisoning in making coal-tar dyes and dye intermediates. [1921.]
No. 291. Carbon-monoxide poisoning. [1921.]
No. 293. The problem of dust phthisis in the granite-stone industry.
[1922.]
No. 298. Causes and prevention of accidents in the iron and steel industry, 1 9 1 0-1919.
No. 306. Occupation hazards and diagnostic signs : A guide to impairments to be
looked for in hazardous occupations.
[1922.]
No. 392. Survey of hygienic conditions in the printing trades.
[1925.]
No. 405. Phosphorus necrosis in the manufacture of fireworks and in the preparation
of phosphorus. [1926.]
No. 426. Deaths from lead poisoning.
[1927.]
No. 427. Health survey of the printing trades, 1922 to 1925.
No. 428. Proceedings of the Industrial Accident Prevention Conference, held at
Washington, D. C., July 1 4 -1 6 , 1926.
No. 460. A new test for industrial lead poisoning.
[1928.]
No. 466. Settlement for accidents to American seamen.
[1928.]
No. 488. Deaths from lead poisoning. 1925 to 1927.
No. 490. Statistics of industrial accidents in the United States to the end of 1927.
[In press.]
Industrial Relations and Labor Conditions.
No. 237. Industrial unrest in Great Britain.
[1917.]
No. 340. Chinese migrations, with special reference to labor conditions.
[1923.]
No. 349. Industrial relations in the W est Coast lumber industry.
[1923.]
No. 361. Labor relations in the Fairmont (W . Va.) bituminous-coal field. [1924.]
No. 380. Postwar labor conditions in Germany.
[1925.]
No. 383. Works council movement in Germany.
[1925.]
No. 384. Labor conditions in the shoe industry in Massachusetts, 1 9 2 0-1924.
No. 399. Labor relations in the lace and lace-curtain industries in the United States.
[1925.]
No. 483. Conditions in the shoe industry in Haverhill, Mass., 1928.
(II)
Labor Laws of the United States (including decisions of courts relating to labor).
No. 211. Labor laws and their administration in the Pacific States.
[1917.]
No. 229. Wage-payment legislation in the United States.
[1917.]
No. 285. Minimum-wage laws of the United S ta te s : Construction and operation.
[1921.]
No. 321. Labor laws that have been declared unconstitutional.
[1922.]
No. 322. Kansas Court of Industrial Relations.
[1923.]
No. 343. Laws providing for bureaus of labor statistics, etc.
[1923.]
No. 370. Labor laws of the United States, with decisions of courts relating thereto,
[1925.]
No. 408. Laws relating to payment of wages.
[1926.]
No. 444. Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1926.
No. 467. Minimum-wage legislation in various countries.
[1928.]
No. 486. Labor legislation of 1928.
Proceedings of Annual Conventions of the Association of Governmental Labor Officials of the
United States and Canada.
(Name changed in 1928 to Association of Government Officials
in Industry of the United States and Canada.)
♦No. 266. Seventh, Seattle, Wash., July 1 2 -1 5 , 1920.
No. 307. Eighth, New Orleans, La., May 2 -6 , 1921.
No. 323. Ninth, Harrisburg, Pa., May 2 2 -2 6 , 1922.
No. 352. Tenth, Richmond, Va., May 1 -4 , 1923.
•No. 389. Eleventh, Chicago, 111., May 19-2 3 , 1924.
♦No. 411. Twelfth, Salt Lake City, Utah, August 1 3 -1 5 , 1925.
No. 429, Thirteenth, Columbus, Ohio, June 7 -1 0 , 1926.
No. 455. Fourteenth, Paterson, N. J., May 31 to June 3, 1927.
No. 480. Fifteenth, New Orleans, La., May 1 5 -2 4 , 1928.
Proceedings of Annual Meetings of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards
and Commissions.
No. 210. Third, Columbus, Ohio, April 2 5 -2 8 , 1916.
No. 248. Fourth, Boston, Mass., August 2 1 -2 5 , 1917.
No. 264. Fifth, Madison, W is., September 2 4 -2 7 , 1918.
♦No. 273. Sixth, Toronto, Canada, September 2 3 -2 6 , 1919.
No. 281. Seventh, San Francisco, Calif., September 2 0 -2 4 , 1920.
No. 304. Eighth, Chicago, 111., September 1 9 -2 3 , 1921.
No. 333. Ninth, Baltimore, Md., October 9—13, 1922.
No. 359. Tenth, St. Paul, Minn., September 2 4 -2 6 , 1923.
No. 385. Eleventh, Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 2 6 -2 8 , 1924.
No. 395. Index to proceedings, 1914-1924.
No. 406. T w elfth , Salt Lake City, U tah, August 17—20, 1925.
No. 432. Thirteenth. Hartford, Conn., September 1 4 -1 7 , 1926.
No. 456. Fourteenth, Atlanta, Ga., September 2 7 -2 9 , 1927.
No. 485. Fifteenth Paterson, N. J., September 11—14, 1928.
Proceedings of Annual Meetings of the Iternational Association of Public Employment
Services.
No. 192. First, Chicago, December 19 and 20, 1913 ; Second, Indianapolis, September
24 and 25, 1914 ; Third, Detroit, July 1 and 2, 1915.
No. 220. Fourth, Buffalo, N. Y., July 20 and 21, 1916.
No. 311. Ninth, Buffalo, N. Y., September 7 -9 , 192.1.
No. 337. Tenth, Washington, D. C., September 1 1 -1 3 , 1922.
No. 355. Eleventh, Toronto, Canada, September 4 -7 , 1923.
No. 400. Twelfth, Chicago, 111., May 1 9 -2 3 , 1924.
No. 414. Thirteenth, Rochester, N. Y., September 1 5 -1 7 , 1925.
No. 478. Fifteenth, Detroit, Mich., October 2 5 -2 8 , 1927.
Productivity of Labor.
No. 356. Productivity costs in the common-brick industry.
[1924.]
No. 360. Time and labor costs in manufacturing 100 pairs of shoes, 1923.
No. 407. Labor cost of production and wages and hours of labor in the paper
board industry.
[1926.]
No. 412. Wages, hours, and productivity in the pottery industry. 1925.
No. 441. Productivity of labor in the glass industry.
[1927.]
No. 474. Productivity of labor in merchant blast furnaces.
[1928-1
No. 475. Productivity of labor in newspaper printing.
[1928.]
( I ll)
box-
Retail Prices
♦No. 121.
*No. 130.
No. 164.
No. 170.
No. 357.
No. 369.
No. 464.
and Cost of Living.
Sugar prices, from refiner to consumer.
[1913.]
Wheat and flour prices, from farmer to consumer.
11913.3
Butter prices, from producer to consumer.
[1914.]
Foreign food prices as affected by the war.
[1915.]
Cost of living in the United States.
[1924.]
The use of cost-of-living figures in wage adjustments.
[1925.]
Retail prices, 1890 to 1927.
Safety Codes.
*No. 331. Code of lighting : Factories, mills, and other work places.
No. 336. Safety code for the protection of industrial workers in foundries.
No. 350. Specifications of laboratory tests for approval of electric headlighting devices
for motor vehicles.
No. 351. Safety code for the construction, care, and use of ladders.
No. 375. Safety code for laundry machinery and operations.
No. 378. Safety code for woodworking plants.
No. 382. Code for lighting school buildings.
No. 410. Safety code for paper and pulp mills.
No. 430. Safety code for power presses and foot and hand presses.
No. 433. Safety code for the prevention of dust explosions.
No. 436. Safety code for the use, care, and protection of abrasive wheels.
No. 447. Safety code for rubber mills and calenders.
No. 451. Safety code for forging and hot-metal stamping.
No. 463. S afety code for mechanical power-transmission apparatus.— First revision.
Vocational Workers’ Education.
*No. 159. Short-unit courses for wage earners, and a factory school experiment,
[1915.]
*No. 162. Vocational education survey of Richmond, Va.
[1915.]
No. 199. Vocational education survey of Minneapolis, Minn.
[1917.]
No. 271. Adult working-class education in Great Britain and the United States.
[1920.]
No. 459. Apprenticeship in building construction.
[1928.]
Wages and Hours of Labor.
♦No. 146. Wages and regularity of employment and standardization of piece rates in
the dr; sa and waist industry of New York.
[1914.]
♦No. 147. Wages and regularity of employment in the cloak, suit, and skirt industry.
[1914.]
No. 161. Wages and hours of labor in the clothing and cigar industries, 1911 to 1913.
No. 163. Wages and hours of labor in the building and repairing of steam railroad
cars, 1907 to 1913.
♦No. 190. Wages and hours of labor in the cotton, woolen, and silk industries, 1907
to 1914.
No. 204. Street-railway employment in the United States.
[1917.]
No. 225. Wages and hours of labor in the lumber, millwork, and furniture industries,
1915.
No. 265. Industrial survey in selected industries in the United States, 1919.
No. 297. Wages and hours of labor in the petroleum industry, 1920.
No. 356, Productivity costs in the common-brick industry. [1924.]
No. 358. Wages and hours of labor in the automobile-tire industry, 1923.
No. 360. Time and labor costs in manufacturing 100 pairs of shoes, 1923.
No. 365. Wages and hours of labor in the paper and pulp industry, 1923,
No. 394. Wages and hours of labor in metalliferous mines, 1924.
No. 407. Labor costs of production and wages and hours of labor in the paper boxboard industry.
[1926.]
No. 412. Wages, hours, and productivity in the pottery industry, 1925.
No. 413. Wages and hours of labor in the lumber industry in the United States, 1925.
No. 416. Hours and earnings in anthracite and bituminous-coal mining, 1922 and
1924.
No. 435. Wages and hours of labor in the men’s clothing industry, 1911 to 1926.
No. 438. Wages and hours of labor in the motor-vehicle industry, 1925.
No. 442. Wages and hours of labor in the iron and steel industry, 1907 to 1925.
No. 450. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe industry, 1907 to 1926.
No. 452. Wages and hours of labor in the hosiery and underwear industries, 1907
to 1926.
No. 454. Hours and earnings in bituminous-coal mining, 1922, 1924, and 1926.
No. 471. Wages and hours of labor in foundries and machine shops, 1927.
(IV)
Wages and Hours of Labor— Continued.
No. 472. Wages and hours of labor in slaughtering and meat packing, 1927.
No. 476. Union scales of wages and hours of labor, 192 7 -28 .
Supplement to Bui.
No. 457.
No. 482. Union scales of wages and hours of labor, May 15, 1928.
No. 484. Wages and hours of labor of common street laborers, 1928.
No. 487. Wages and hours of labor in woolen and worsted goods manufacturing, 1910
to 1928.
No. 492. Wages and hours of labor in eotton-goods manufacturing, 1910 to 1928.
(In press.)
Welfare Work.
♦No. 123. Employers’ welfare work.
[1913.]
No. 222. Welfare work in British munitions factories.
[1917.]
*No. 250. Welfare work for employees in industrial establishments in the United
States.
[1919.]
No. 458. Health and recreation activities in industrial establishments, 1926.
Wholesa’ e Prices.
No. 284. Index numbers of wholesale prices in the United States and foreign coun
tries.
[1921.]
No. 440. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1926.
No. 453. Revised index numbers of wholesale prices, 1913 to July, 1927.
No. 493. Wholesale prices, 1913 to 1928.
(In press.)
Women and Children in Industry.
No, 116. Hours, earnings', and duration of employment of wage-earning women in
selected industries in the District of Columbia.
[1913.]
♦No. 117. Prohibition of night work of young persons.
[1913.]
No. 118. Ten-hour maximum working-day for women and young persons.
[1913.]
No. 119. Working hours of women in the pea canneries of Wisconsin.
[1913.]
•No. 122. Employment of women in power laundries in Milwaukee.
[1913.]
No. 160. Hours, earnings, and conditions of labor of women in Indiana mercantile
establishments and garment factories.
[1914.]
♦No. 167. Minimum-wage legislation in the United States and foreign countries.
[1915.]
♦No. 175. Summary of the report on conditions of woman and child wage earners in
the United States.
[1915.]
♦No. 176. Effect of minimum-wage determinations in Oregon.
[1915.]
♦No. 180. The boot and shoe industry in Massachusetts as a vocation for women.
[1915.]
♦No, 182. Unemployment among women in department and other retail stores of
Boston, Mass.
[1916.]
No. Ip3. Dressmaking as a trade for women in Massachusetts.
[1916.]
No. 215. Indust rial experience of trade-school girls in Massachusetts.
[1917.]
♦No. 217. Effect of workmen’s compensation laws in diminishing the necessity of
industrial employment of women and children.
[1918.]
No. 223. Employment of women and juveniles in Great Britain during the war.
[1917.]
No. 253. Women in the lead industries.
[1919.]
Workmen’s Insurance and Compensation (including laws relating thereto).
♦No. 101. Care of tuberculous wage earners in Germany.
[1912.]
♦No. 102. British national insurance act, 1911.
No. 103. Sickness and accident insurance law of Switzerland.
[1912.]
No. 107. Law relating to insurance of salaried employees in Germany.
[1913.]
♦No. 155. Compensation for accidents to employees of the United States.
[1914.]
No. 212. Proceedings of the conference on social insurance called by the Interna
tional Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, Wash
ington, D. C., December 5 -9 , 1916.
♦No. 243. Workmen’s compensation legislation in the United States and foreign coun
tries, 1917 and 1918.
No. 301. Comparison of workmen’s compensation insurance and administration.
[1922.]
No. 312. National health insurance in Great Britain, 1911 to 1921.
No. 379. Comparison of workmen’s compensation laws of the United States as
January 1, 1925.
No. 423. Workmen’s compensation legislation of the United States and Canada as
July 1, 1926.
No. 477. Public-service retirement systems, United States and Europe.
[1928.]
of
of
(V)
Miscellaneous Series.
*No. 174. Subject index of the publications of the United States Bureau of Labor
Statistics up to May 1, 1915.
No. 208. Profit sharing in the United States.
[1916.]
No. 242. Food situation in central Europe, 1917.
No. 254. International labor legislation and the society of nations.
[1919.]
No. 268. Historical survey of international action affecting labor.
[1919.]
No. 282. Mutual relief associations among Government employees in Washington,
D. C.
[1921.]
No. 299. Personnel research agencies : A guide to organized research in employment
management, industrial relations, training, and working conditions.
[1921.]
No. 319. The Bureau of Labor S tatistics: Its history, activities, and organization.
[1922.]
No. 326. Methods of procuring and computing statistical information of the Bureau
of Labor Statistics.
[1923.]
No. 342. International Seamen’s Union of Am erica: A study of its history and
problems.
[1923.]
No. 346. Humanity in government.
[1923.]
No. 372. Convict labor in 1923.
No. 386. Cost of American almshouses.
[1925.]
No. 398. Growth of legal-aid work in the United States.
[1926.]
No. 401. Family allowances in foreign countries.
[192*6.]
No. 420. Handbook of American trade-unions.
[1926.]
No. 461. Labor organizations in Chile.
[1928.]
No. 462. Park recreation areas in the United States.
[1928.]
No. 465. Beneficial activities of American trade-unions.
[1928.]
No. 479. Activities and functions of a State department of labor.
[1928.1
No. 489. Care of the aged in the United States.
(In press.)
No. 491. Handbook of labor statistics, 1929 edition.
(In press.)
(VI)
@FedFRASER