CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government's report in reply to its previous request and, in particular, the provision of statistical information which had been requested.

1. Noting from the Government's report that the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus governs the equality of citizens in the exercise of their legal rights as well as their rights in employment and occupation, the Committee requests the Government to communicate a copy of the Constitution with its next report.

2. The Committee notes from the Government's report that approximately half of the workers in 1991 were women with the highest percentage of women working in credit and state insurance agencies, health care, physical education, social insurance, education, trade, public catering and computer services. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply labour force statistics on women including their occupational participation rates. It also requests the Government to provide information on any measures taken or contemplated to ensure that women have equal opportunities in respect of access in employment and to particular occupations of their choice.

3. The Committee notes from the Government's report that in some occupations, the proportion of women in supervisory positions is approaching the proportion of women in those sectors, but in other occupations the number of female supervisory staff is clearly unsatisfactory. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures that are being taken to promote equality between men and women in access to high-level posts, access to vocational training and retraining, terms and conditions of employment and security of employment and to indicate the results of those measures including statistical information.

4. The Committee again requests the Government to provide information on the policies and programmes now pursued with a view to promoting equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation irrespective of race, religion or national extraction and the results achieved.

5. The Committee further requests the Government to continue to provide information on any other measures taken or contemplated, particularly within the context of the reforms in the institutions and economic system of the country which directly or indirectly impact upon equality of opportunity and treatment in employment or occupation as provided for in the Convention, including copies of relevant legislative texts and court decisions.