CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes the information provided in the report of the Government in reply to its previous direct request.

1. The Committee notes that under subsection 4(c) of article 23 of the Constitution the prohibition to afford different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, tribe, sex, place of origin, marital status, political opinion, colour or creed shall not apply to laws with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other matters of personal law. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information on any laws which establish differential treatment on any of the above grounds on matters which fall, either directly or indirectly, within the field of the Convention.

2. The Committee is grateful to the Government for the information supplied to its previous request concerning vocational training courses and enrolment according to sex. The Committee notes with interest the wide range of technical courses offered and that approximately 35 per cent of the students enrolled were women. It notes however that in 35 courses there were no women enrolled. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply statistical information on the types of courses offered and the enrolment according to sex so that it may follow the progress achieved in promoting equal opportunities for women in vocational training. It also requests the Government to indicate any measures contemplated or taken to encourage women to enrol in vocational training courses oriented towards developing skills in fields traditionally dominated by men, and the results achieved.

3. The Committee requests the Government to supply copies of the Teaching Service Commission Regulations, the Police and Prison Service Regulations, the Public Service Commission Regulations and the Judicial Service Commission Regulations to which the Government referred in its report as being attached, but which were not received by the Office.

4. Further to its previous comments concerning section 114 of the Industrial Relations Act, 1971, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether any amendments are contemplated or have been made to protect against discrimination in access to employment on the basis of political opinion in light of the adoption of the new Constitution.

5. The Committee once again asks the Government to provide with its next report copies of any judicial decisions and authoritative interpretations, including decisions issued by the Industrial Relations Court, within the field of the Convention, which concern discriminatory practices under articles 11 and 23 of the Constitution and under section 114(2) of the Industrial Relations Act.