CMNT_TITLE

1. Article 2 of the Convention. Practical application. The Committee notes that, when referring to programmes which will contribute to eliminating discrimination against women, the Government mentions, among others, the efforts made by the National Institute for Women (INAM) as a leading institution in the formulation, promotion, implementation and follow-up of the National Policy for Women which promotes public policies and measures designed to achieve the integration of women in all fields which can result in their equal development. It also refers to the initiatives of the Secretariat of Labour and Social Security and the National Plan for Equality of Opportunity 2002-07, which reflects the national policy for women. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply information on the measures which have been adopted in the context of the above programmes and institutions to promote the access of women to higher-level and better paid jobs in the public service and on their impact.

2. Article 3. Objective job evaluation. With regard to the comments made in paragraph 2 of its previous direct request, the Committee notes that the Government once again provides information on psychometric tests and methods for the evaluation of employees. The Committee recalls that it addressed this issue extensively in paragraph 2 and reiterates that what is at issue is the appraisal of the content of the job and not appraisal of workers in their individual capacity. Furthermore, such a technique is fundamental in determining whether jobs which involve different work are of the same value for the purposes of remuneration. Due to the tendency for men and women to carry out different jobs, it is essential to have a technique to assess the relative value of jobs which are different in content with a view to eliminating discrimination in the remuneration of men and women. The Committee reminds the Government that it may request the Office’s technical assistance, if it deems it necessary, to examine the various methods for the objective appraisal of jobs. The Committee refers to paragraphs 138-152 of its General Survey of 1986 on equal remuneration, and asks the Government to continue providing information on this matter.

3. Part V of the report form. General appreciation. The Committee notes that the Government has provided the statistical data requested by the Committee. It notes that in the table in Annex 12 on decentralized institutions, it is reported that 5.5 per cent of men were in managerial jobs in 2004, compared with only 2.8 per cent of women in equivalent positions. Furthermore, 20.9 per cent of men were in technical jobs, compared with only 5 per cent of women in similar posts. The greatest concentration of women is in administrative jobs (35.4 per cent of women, compared to 14.1 per cent of men). The Committee asks the Government to consider taking action to promote the access of a greater number of women to technical and managerial jobs in the public sector. Furthermore, it notes from Annexes 37 and 38 on average earnings for 2004, that the overall national average earnings of men are 3,301 lempiras, compared with 2,870 lempiras for women. The Committee asks the Government to consider the possibility of investigating the origin of such wage differences in the public sector and, with the cooperation of the social partners, also in a number of private sectors, so as to be able to understand the wage differences and to adopt appropriate corrective measures. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would keep it informed on this subject. The Committee also asks the Government to provide information on the average earnings of men and women in the export processing sector (maquila).