CMNT_TITLE

1. Discrimination on the basis of sex. The Committee notes with interest the measures taken by the Government in accordance with the National Action Plan covering the period 1999-2003 and the harmonization process of Cyprus with the European Union Acquis, to promote the more effective implementation of the legislation on equal pay between men and women. The Committee further notes the discussion of a draft law on parental leave and leave on grounds of family needs which is supposed to enter into force this year; the preparation of a draft law on equal treatment for men and women, as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion and working conditions; the new law on equal remuneration for work of equal value; the preparation of new laws on part-time work and fixed-term employment; and the increasing of the sum for funding the development of childcare services and of day-care services for the elderly and persons with disabilities. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide information on the abovementioned measures and their impact on women’s and men’s access to the domestic labour market and on the improvement of the job situation of persons with family responsibilities.

2. The Committee notes that the number of women entering the labour market has been constantly growing. The labour force participation rate of women rose from 54 per cent in 1997 to 58 per cent in 2000 and 60 per cent in 2001. The proportion of women in the total number of government civilian employees increased from 41.2 per cent in 1997 to 42.3 per cent in 1999. Although women’s employment in sectors where they were under-represented increased, it is still lower than the corresponding rate for men. The Committee notes the encouragement of women by the District Labour Offices to attend training courses, which enable them to enter new fields of employment. The further information supplied by the Government indicates that the proportion of employed women in the upper two occupational groups, such as legislators, senior officials, managers and professionals has remained relatively stable from 1995 to 2000 (around 39 per cent). The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken by the District Labour Offices and on progress made with regard to women’s relative position in the labour market. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the gender composition of the different occupational categories, such as managerial, professional and technical employment, clerical jobs, service and sales occupations and manual jobs.

3. Noting the substantial gap between employed men and women holding university degrees (men 61.8 per cent and women 38.2 per cent), the Committee asks the Government to provide statistical information on the number of university graduates separated by field of specialization and sex, and on activities taken to promote the integration of women with tertiary education into the labour market.

4. The Committee notes with interest the research study conducted by the Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus (HRDA) on economically inactive women. The proportion of women trainees that participated in training activities provided by the HRDA increased slightly from 36.5 per cent in 1999 to 37.2 per cent in 2000. Considering that unemployment is higher among women with low specialization skills, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information on measures taken to promote women’s participation in economic activities. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to realize the proposals set out by the HRDA in its study mentioned above.

5. Discrimination on the basis of national extraction, race, colour, religion, political opinion and social origin. The Committee notes that the Government indicated to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) of the United Nations (CERD/C/304/Add.56 and A/56/18, paragraphs 256-277) that it has established language programmes for children of immigrant families and minorities. The Committee notes also the appointment of the Presidential Commissioner for Minorities and the establishment of a Complaint Office within the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance in charge of dealing with complaints made by foreign workers, including domestic workers. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the work and functioning of these structures to prohibit discrimination in employment against ethnic minorities in accordance with the Convention. Please also provide information on any measures taken to increase awareness of the public and of social partners on non-discrimination practices.

6. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the promotion of equality related to the other grounds of discrimination, in addition to sex, covered by the Convention and on the position of different racial and ethnic minority members in the labour market.