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The Committee notes the Government’s report and the attached information.

1. With regard to its previous direct request concerning the distribution of men and women employees in the public service, the Committee notes that women only represent 29 per cent of the employees in the higher wage category A. The statistics also indicate that even in those ministries where the number of women employees is higher, women’s representation ranges from only 12.5 per cent (Ministry of Agriculture) to 36.3 per cent (Ministry of Justice), with the exception of the ministries of education and sciences, public health and social affairs where women represent 42.3 per cent, 49.1 per cent and 56.7 per cent of the employees respectively. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to promote women’s access to a wider range of occupations and higher level and higher paid posts in the public service.

2. The Committee notes with interest Decree No. 2003-1702 of 11 August 2003 creating the National Council of Women and Family and asks the Government to provide information in its next report on any activities taken by the Council to promote the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value in both the private and public sectors.

3. The Committee notes Decree No. 2003-1692 of 18 August 2003 setting the guaranteed minimum wage for agricultural workers. The Decree provides that, in addition to the basic minimum wage, specialized and qualified agricultural workers may receive a "technique-related bonus" (prime de technicité) and that workers employed on a task, piece rate or output basis will receive in the case of normal output a wage corresponding to the guaranteed minimum wage. The Committee recalls the importance of minimum wages in promoting the application of the principle of equal remuneration set out in the Convention and it would be grateful if the Government would supply information in its next report on the distribution of men and women within the different categories of workers (i.e. ordinary agricultural workers, specialized workers and qualified workers) in the agricultural sector.

4. The Committee notes the study on "Femmes et ville" which confirms the disparities that exist between the rural and urban employment of women, and which indicates that two thirds of the women in urban areas are employed as textile worker, domestic workers and secretaries. The Committee thanks the Government for this information but notes that although the study has been published in 2000, the statistics used date back to 1994-97, and that the Government has not given any more recent data in its latest report. It encourages the Government to undertake new studies on the employment and remuneration situation of women in both the urban and rural areas and in certain regions so as to be in a position to provide a more recent picture on any wage disparities that might exist between men and women. It refers to its 1998 general observation on this Convention detailing the type of statistical data to be collected.

5. With regard to any measures taken to address wage inequalities between men and women in their access to education, vocational training and employment, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that the fight against discrimination has become a priority in national policy and that women should benefit from all necessary measures aimed at integrating them in this process. The Committee notes in this regard the efforts undertaken by the Government to improve the literacy rates and educational levels of girls through the restructuring of the educational system and a national literacy strategy. It also notes from the information provided in reply to the Committee’s direct request addressed to the Government in 2000, under Convention No. 111, the various measures taken by the Government to enhance women’s participation in employment and vocational guidance. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to reduce wage inequalities through access to vocational training and educational opportunities to indicate the progress achieved with regard to the application of the Convention in practice.

6. The Committee reiterates its request to the Government to provide information on the criteria used in the private sector for the classifications of posts and determination of wages, and on measures taken to ensure that jobs are objectively appraised on the basis of the work performed.

7. As no information was included in the Government’s report on enforcement, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on inspections and follow-up visits made by the labour inspectorate in agricultural enterprises as well as on cases of wage discrimination and the penalties and administrative measures applied.