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1. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that there has been no substantive change in the remuneration gap between women and men; the detailed statistical information attached to the Government’s report reveals that in 2000 women’s gross wages per hour stood at 82 per cent of men’s wages, compared to 81 per cent in 1999. It asks the Government to continue supplying statistical data and to provide information on promotional measures designed to continue narrowing the remuneration gap between men and women workers and to emphasize the importance of achieving equal remuneration.

2. In respect of its previous comments on section 14(1) of the Workers’ Equal Pay Act of 1996, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that, although the abovementioned law defines each ministry as a separate workplace, the Civil Service Commission applies a similar wage scale in each ministry. It asks the Government to provide copies of the wage scales in use for each of the ministries and indicate any measures taken to ensure the application of the principle of the Convention to all workers in the public service.

3. The Committee notes the information provided on the implementation of two measures to promote the representation of women in the public sector: the preparation of a detailed report on women’s advancement and the inclusion of the subject of women’s status in all educational activities. According to the Government’s indications, detailed reports are prepared by the Unit for the Advancement of Women and presented to the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women annually. With respect to the latter measure, subjects such as the status of women, equal opportunity and sexual harassment are included in general educational activities at all ranks of the civil service. The Committee asks the Government to provide copies of the abovementioned detailed report, as well as copies of the materials used in the various educational activities in its next report. Also, please indicate the impact these measures have had on promoting the application of the Convention.

4. The Committee had previously requested information on an additional promotional measure - the establishment of specific goals for each individual government office for the appointment of women, particularly in those grades of civil servants where women have been under-represented. In this regard, the Committee notes with interest the amendments to the Women’s Equal Rights Law, No. 5711-1951, and the Civil Service Law (Appointments), No. 5719-1959. As amended, section 6(c) of the Women’s Equal Rights Law now provides for affirmative action in the appointment of women at all grades within public institutions. Similarly, section 15 of the Civil Service Law now obliges government offices to promote the representation of women by setting aside or giving preference to certain positions for qualified women applicants. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, further to the abovementioned amendments, a proposal for a government decision has been drafted that establishes target percentages concerning the representation of women in specified ranks and positions. The proposal sets the goals of employing women in 25 per cent of the specified positions in three years, and 30 per cent of the positions in five years. Noting that the said proposal will be brought up for discussion in the special Ministerial Committee to promote the status of women, the Committee asks the Government to produce information on any developments in this regard. Noting that the adoption of the affirmation action measures should result in the narrowing of the remuneration gap between men and women, the Government is requested to provide information to permit an assessment of the results of the affirmative action on the application of the Convention.

5. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that no progress has been made with respect to the prospect of carrying out job evaluations in the public and private sectors. It again stresses the importance of undertaking job evaluations in implementing the principle of the Convention, and asks the Government to provide information on any efforts made to promote the objective appraisal of jobs or otherwise to determine the value of jobs for purposes of remuneration.

6. The Committee notes the information respecting the District Labour Court’s ruling in the 1999 case of Simi Nidam v. Rali Electric and Electronics requiring release of salary information in a claim of pay discrimination. It asks the Government to continue to provide information on court decisions involving questions of principle relating to the application of the Convention.