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Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Legislation. The Committee previously noted that the Labour Code, while prohibiting discrimination based on sex with regard to remuneration, does not reflect the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value, as set out in the Convention. In its 2006 general observation, the Committee noted that where legal provisions do not give expression to the concept of “work of equal value”, such provisions hinder progress in eradicating gender-based pay discrimination against women. The Committee hopes that the Government will take the necessary steps to include provisions in the legislation that give full expression to the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value, and it asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged in this regard.

Determination of rates of remuneration. The Government asserts that the application of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value was ensured through the legally established machinery for wage-determination and collective agreements. The Committee asks the Government to provide information outlining the specific methods used in the context of collective agreements and the legally established wage-fixing machinery to ensure the application of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value and to provide examples of collective agreements, indicating the manner in which they apply the principle.

Article 3. Objective job evaluation. The Committee previously noted that wages are lowest in female-dominated sectors and occupations and that the gap between the remuneration received in female-dominated sectors and other sectors continued to increase. In this context, it asked the Government to provide a description of the job evaluation methods used, in both the private and public sectors, and to indicate the measures taken to prevent the undervaluing of jobs performed by women. The Committee urges the Government to provide this information in its next report.

Enforcement. The Committee once again asks the Government to provide information on the manner in which the competent national authorities have enabled enforcement of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value. In this regard, please provide information on the number, nature and outcome of cases involving discrimination in employment and occupation dealt with by the labour inspectors, the Procurator-General’s Office, or by the courts and the Ombudsperson.

Statistical information. The Committee once again asks the Government to provide statistical information on the earnings of men and women in the different industries and occupations.