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Gender wage gap. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the Ministry of Labour, in cooperation with the Institute for the Development of Workers' Training (ISFOL), established a research programme on the gender wage gap with a view to identifying the different forms of discrimination existing in the country and the possible guidelines to address them. The Committee also notes that in the context of the European Year against Discrimination 2007, the Ministry of Labour launched a project encompassing positive measures to promote women’s participation in the labour market as well as the elimination of those factors determining wage differentials. The Committee asks the Government to supply information on the results of the research programme on the gender wage gap carried out by the Ministry of Labour in cooperation with the ISFOL and the guidelines finally elaborated, including an indication of any objective job evaluation system which may be provided therein. The Committee also asks the Government to supply information on the outcome of the project launched by the Ministry of Labour with a view to addressing wage differentials between men and women workers. Noting the general information provided by the Government in reply to its previous request, the Committee further asks the Government to supply information on the practical impact of the initiatives carried out by the Department for Equal Opportunities under the programme called VISPO.

Agricultural sector. Recalling its previous comments on the liberalization of the labour market in agriculture pursuant to Act No. 30 of 2003 and Legislative Decree No. 276/2003 and its impact on the implementation of the principle of the Convention in this sector, the Committee notes from the Government’s report that no specific information is available in this regard. The Committee, therefore, hopes that the Government will be in a position to provide in its next report full information on the impact of the relevant legislation on the implementation of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women in agriculture.

Part V of the report form. General appreciation of the application of the Convention. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the number of women entering the labour market as well as the number of women being recruited is increasing, especially with regard to part-time work. The Committee also notes from the statistics annexed to the report that women represent approximately 50 per cent of the workforce in the service sector, while they represent 30 per cent of the workforce in agriculture, 21.8 per cent in industry, and 5.15 per cent in construction. The Committee asks the Government to supply statistical information on earnings of women and men, disaggregated by sector, education level and occupational category. Please also continue to provide information on relevant case law applying the principle of the Convention as well as information on any findings of the labour inspection services relevant to assessing the application of the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value.