CMNT_TITLE

Further to its observation, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the following points.

1. The Committee notes the establishment of the Department for Inter-ethnic Relations with the Ministry of Public Information, which replaces the former Department for the Protection of National Minorities. The Committee notes that the Council of National Minorities has been re-established under the coordination of the Ministry of Public Information to serve as the consultative body to the Romanian Government on minority issues. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the work of the Department for Inter-ethnic Relations and the Council of National Minorities regarding employment and education-related issues, including its impact on the enjoyment of equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation of all minorities.

2. Discrimination on the basis of sex. Further to its observation, the Committee notes the establishment of the Inter-ministerial Consultative Commission on Equal Opportunities Between Women and Men (CODES) by Government Decision No. 967/1999. It also notes that CODES is competent to evaluate the application and observance of equality legislation, to stimulate the adoption of training and awareness raising programmes concerning equality issues, to promote the exchange of information among relevant government units and to elaborate periodical reports on the status of women in Romania. The Committee also notes the adoption by the Government of a National Plan of Action for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities Between Women and Men (Decision 1273/2000), which aims at accelerating the elimination of discrimination on the basis of sex in the world of work through actions in the field of public information, continuing vocational training for women and to improve application of relevant legislation in practice. The Government is requested to provide information on the practical measures taken by the member institutions of CODES to implement the National Action Plan, as well as other activities of CODES. The Committee would be grateful to receive further information on the proposed Code concerning rules and practices for the promotion of equality of opportunity between men and women mentioned in the Government’s report and copies of the periodic reports on the status of women prepared by CODES. The Government is further requested to continue to provide statistical information on the participation of women in the labour market, including data reflecting the distribution of men and women in the different fields of economic activities and occupations, and in jobs with decision-making and management responsibilities.

3. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the advisory and consultation centre for disadvantaged women and requests the Government to indicate whether similar projects are planned for the future. The Committee also notes the information given in respect to the follow-up to the 1999 tripartite seminar on women in the labour market, which, according to the Government, led to a partnership with the trade union representatives concerning problems of women in the labour market and several publications on the issue. The Government is asked to continue to provide information on its cooperation with workers’ and employers’ organizations to promote equality in employment and occupation and to submit copies of the publications mentioned in its last report.

4. Enforcement of equality provisions. The Committee notes the initiative of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs together with the Equal Opportunities for Women Foundation concerning equality training for labour inspectors. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the training guide on equality for labour inspectors and to give indications on the impact of the training on the work of the labour inspectors and the enforcement of equality legislation.

5. The Committee notes that the Office of the Advocate of the People received some 10,000 complaints between 1997 and 2000. In 1999, the Office received 4,389 complaints out of which 383 were brought by women and 112 concerned women’s rights, including the right to pension. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the activities of the Advocate of the People as they affect the application of the Convention, including information on the number of complaints received related to discrimination on the grounds covered by the Convention and the action taken by the Advocate, including cooperation with other institutions and organs responsible for the prevention of discrimination and the enforcement of anti-discrimination legislation. In this context, the Committee would also like to receive information on the number and nature of discrimination cases dealt with by the criminal justice system.