CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report, and the attached documents.

1.  The Committee notes the collective agreements for the purchasing centre for essential drugs and consumable medical supplies, the staff of the administrative office of the Stadium of Friendship (OGESA), and for the Electricity and Water Company of Benin, as well as the agreement establishing the transport workers’ fund. The Committee notes the wage scales appended to each collective agreement and observes that these are established on the basis of grades and steps attributed to each post, without distinction between the sexes. The Committee asks the Government to endeavour to compile statistical information on the participation of men and women in the different posts, at all wage levels. It notes that the Government expressed the wish in its 1998 report to benefit from the technical assistance of the ILO for this purpose.

2.  The Committee notes the rise in the minimum inter-occupational guaranteed wage (SMIG), under the terms of Decree No. 2000-162 of 29 March 2000. It asks the Government to provide information on the workers who receive the minimum wage, the sectors in which they are employed and the proportion of men and women among these workers.

3.  The Committee notes that the statistics on the distribution of men and women in the public service show identical rates to those provided in the previous report, namely between 26 and 27 per cent of women and between 73 and 74 per cent of men. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that schooling for girls has been made free of charge in rural areas as a means of promoting their access to education and training. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on any other specific measures which have been taken or are envisaged to promote the access of women to all categories of jobs in the public service and in the private sector, as well as to jobs in branches of activity where their numbers are low.