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With reference to its previous direct requests, the Committee notes the Government's report and the attached documents.

1. The Committee noted that the systems for fixing wages are based, in certain sectors, on a job evaluation carried out by the Israel Institute of Productivity, and that this Institute was prepared to conduct job analysis projects but that as a result of the economic recession employers were reluctant to embark on such evaluations; it is therefore not possible to review wage-fixing systems in the light of such evaluations. The Committee notes that, according to the Government, the situation is unchanged, and recalls the importance of Article 4 of the Convention for implementing the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value. It hopes that the next report will contain positive information on job analyses.

2. The Committee recalls that the Male and Female Workers' (Equal Pay) Act, 5724-1964, provides for equal remuneration for men and women for the same work, or work which is essentially the same, whereas the principle laid down by the Convention requires equal remuneration for work of equal value (Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention). Furthermore, the Committee notes from the statistics available to it that men's wages are considerably higher than those of women. The gap between men's and women's wages in 1989, in all sectors taken together, was 22 per cent for hourly rates and 43 per cent for monthly wages and, in 1990, 18 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the measures it plans to take in order to reduce these disparities, which are considerable, and to apply the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value by one of the means provided for in Article 2, paragraph 2, or a combination of them.

The Committee asks the Government to continue to supply statistics on the minimum or basic wage rates and the average actual earnings of men and women. It would also appreciate a copy of the salary scales applicable in the public sector, with an indication of the percentage of men and women employed at different levels.

3. With regard to the activities of the Women's Bureau of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Committee notes from the Government's report that the Bureau is continuing its activities. The Committee would appreciate detailed information on its activities, as well as on the working of the Male and Female Workers' (Equal Pay) Act. In this connection, the Committee notes the Government's statement that very few complaints have been brought to the attention of the Women's Bureau, which would suggest that problems of discrimination in this field are dealt with mainly by trade unions and women's organizations, rather than by agencies of the Ministry. The Committee asks the Government to provide full information with its next report on the activities of these organizations in this area.

4. The Committee notes that the Government plans to send as soon as possible a copy of a file illustrating the inspection activities of the Women's Bureau. The Committee asks the Government to provide information with its next report on the measures taken to ensure supervision of the application of the provisions of the law concerning equal remuneration and, in particular, on the activities of the inspection services (violations recorded, sanctions imposed), and to continue to provide information on court decisions on this subject.