CMNT_TITLE

With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes that Act No. 43 of 23 December 1953 by which totalitarian activities such as communism are declared illegal and in violation of the Constitution of the Republic of Panama has been repealed by Act No. 8 of 5 October 1978 regulating political parties.

1. In its previous comments, the Committee noted with interest the Government's communication dated 12 March 1990 according to which it has reinstated health workers who had been dismissed by virtue of Wartime Legislative Decree No. 2 of 9 October 1989, and requested the Government to supply information on the new appointment of Mrs. Carmen P. de Pinzón. Since the last report of the Government contains no information on the matter, the Committee hopes that the next report will contain the information requested.

2. With regard to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government's statement that the United States Act No. 96-70 of 1979 is still in force and infringes the Canal Treaty by granting economic benefits in the Canal Zone only to United States citizens. The Government also refers to a number of violations which occurred between October 1988 and December 1989 and constitute discrimination in the field of labour. It indicates that, in January 1990, relations between Panama and the Government of the United States entered a new phase and it is therefore to be hoped that the problems of discrimination in employment and occupation will be settled. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on any progress made in this respect.

3. With reference to its direct request of 1991, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the measures that have been contemplated or taken to provide better protection for workers against acts of sexual harassment in the workplace.

4. The Committee asks the Government to provide detailed information, including statistics, on the measures taken to promote, in practice, equality of opportunity for women in employment, particularly in jobs subject to direct supervision by a national authority.