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1. The Committee notes from the statistical data provided by the Government in its report, that from 1995 to 1999 the percentage of men working at the highest levels for all sectors of the labour market (5.6 per cent), increased by 1.4 per cent, whilst the percentage of women working at the same level (3.1 per cent), increased by only 1.2 per cent. The Committee observes that even in areas such as the hotel and restaurant sector, where women are the majority of the workforce (84,943), they only hold 951 of the highest level positions whilst men, who are in the minority (54,791), hold 2,163 positions at this level. The Committee notes that in the hotel and restaurant sector, women at the highest level positions earn 21 per cent less than men. It also notes that the male-female remuneration disparity in this and other sectors, continues in the intermediate and lowest level positions. The Committee also notes from the statistical figures provided by the Government, that between 1995 and 1999 the rate of monthly average remuneration for women compared with that of men remained at almost the same percentage (72 per cent in 1995; 73 per cent in 1997; and 73 per cent in 1999). The Committee would appreciate continuing to receive such detailed statistical data, as well as information on the measures taken or envisaged both to increase the participation of women in the higher occupational grades and in economic sectors traditionally occupied by men, and also to reduce the existing male-female remuneration disparity in various sectors of the labour market.

2. The Committee noted in its previous comments, activities carried out by the Observatory of Equal Opportunities for men and women, such as the evaluation of clauses in collective bargaining agreements in fisheries, textile and education sectors from an equality perspective; and by the Committee for Equality in Labour and Employment (CITE). The Committee would be grateful if the Government continued to provide information on the activities undertaken by the Observatory and the CITE, including any follow-up measures in the light of the results of its evaluations performed by the Observatory to date, to promote the application of the principle of the Convention.

3. The Committee also asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the activities of the labour inspectorate in securing the application of the Convention, including information on the number of equal pay inspections conducted, the number of violations found, the action taken and the sanctions imposed. The Committee also asks the Government to provide further information on the training on equality between men and women at work, which has been provided for labour inspectors, including information on training which addressed the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value.