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1. Article 1(1)(b) of the Convention. Prohibited grounds of discrimination. Recalling that sections 7(4) and 8 of the Employment and Labour Relations Act, 2004, refer to a number of prohibited grounds of discrimination other than those explicitly listed in Article 1(1)(a) of the Convention, the Committee notes with interest from the Government’s report that the Government considers these additional grounds to be covered by the Convention.

2. Practical application. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Employment and Labour Relations Act entered into force on 1 August 2006. Accordingly, information on the practical application of the Act’s provisions concerning non-discrimination and equal opportunities was not yet available. The Committee requests the Government to supply such information in its future reports, including information on the adoption and implementation of equality plans at the enterprise level and relevant judicial or administrative decisions enforcing the relevant provisions of the Act.

3. The Committee notes that the Government, in cooperation with workers’ and employers’ organizations through the Labour, Economic and Social Council, was in the process of issuing rules, regulations, codes of good practice and guides on the elimination of discrimination in employment. The Committee welcomes this initiative and requests the Government to keep it informed of the progress made in the issuing of such instruments and tools, and to supply copies of them once they are finalized.

4. Public service. The Committee notes that the Public Service Act, 2002, repealed the Civil Service Act, 1989. It requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken to ensure equality of opportunity and treatment in civil service employment, including measures to promote gender equality in the civil service. Please indicate any relevant regulations issued under the Public Service Act.

5. Finally, noting that the Government’s report does not contain information in reply to points 4, 6, 9-12, as well as 14 of its previous direct request (attached for ease of reference), the Committee hopes that the Government will provide the information requested in its next report.