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National gender equality policy. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that no major progress has been made with regard to the participation of women in the labour market and in training programmes. The Committee notes that, according to the Household Survey 2007–08, women account for 38 per cent of the economically active population and work mainly as street traders and service workers (22.59 per cent of women), sales assistants and market traders (20.04 per cent) and office workers (19.6 per cent).

The Committee notes the cooperation agreement concluded between the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Labour (MITRADEL) in 2008 with the aim of promoting the incorporation of the gender perspective in the economy. It notes the creation under that agreement of the Committee on Gender and Employment and the plan to establish an Office for Gender and Employment responsible for providing advice on matters relating to equal opportunities for men and women in employment, raising the awareness of civil society of this issue and carrying out research, studies and evaluations on this matter. It also notes Act No. 71 of 23 December 2008 which creates the Women’s Institute with the aim of coordinating and implementing national policy on equal opportunities for women. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the activities carried out by the above institutions, especially with regard to the reduction of the occupational segregation of women in the labour market and the elimination of stereotypes which continue to hinder the access of women to occupations traditionally performed by men and vice versa, and on their impact. The Committee also requests the Government to continue providing statistical information on the employment situation of men and women and their distribution in the various occupations and economic sectors.

Vocational training. The Committee notes that, according to the report prepared by the National Institute of Vocational Training for Human Development (INADEH), the segregation of the labour market is reflected in the participation of women in vocational training courses relating to the jobs traditionally performed by women, namely trade and services. The Committee also notes that the situation is similar at the university level, where the majority of women are enrolled on “feminine” courses, such as nursing and education. However, the Committee notes that, according to the INADEH report, women are making incursions into non-traditional jobs in areas such as civil construction and electricity and electronics. The Committee also notes the INADEH outreach programme which has facilitated the participation of women in training courses, especially those with family commitments. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the participation of men and women in the various training courses and to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to promote their participation in courses relating to areas of work in which they are traditionally under-represented.

Sexual harassment. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the General Directorate of Labour Inspection has not received any reports of cases of sexual harassment. The Committee asks the Government to consider implementing training and awareness-raising programmes on the issue of sexual harassment, in cooperation with the social partners, targeting all actors involved, including judges, lawyers, labour inspectors and other bodies responsible for enforcing the relevant regulations. Please also continue providing information on any cases of sexual harassment referred to the courts, including with the support of the judicial body’s Unit for Access to Justice and Gender, or noted by labour inspectors, the measures taken and the penalties imposed.

Equality of opportunity and treatment irrespective of race and colour. Noting the development of the National Plan of Action for the Full Inclusion of Ethnic Blacks, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken under that plan to promote equality of opportunity and treatment of the Afro-Panamanian population in employment and occupation.

Indigenous women. The Committee notes that, according to the fourth national report on the situation of women in Panama (2002–07), the situation of indigenous women is serious since their low level of education on average prevents them from accessing activities which generate sufficient income to provide them with a decent standard of living. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to increase the level of education of indigenous women and promote their access to greater educational and vocational opportunities, in accordance with their own aspirations.

Persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the various initiatives carried out by the Department for the Socio-economic Integration of Persons with Disabilities relating to training within state institutions and raising the awareness of employers’ associations with a view to promoting the socio-economic integration of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes, in particular, that the above Department has established legal and administrative mechanisms for the imposition of penalties on companies employing over 50 workers which fail to comply with the requirement that at least 2 per cent of their workforce shall be persons with disabilities, in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 42 of 27 August 1999. The Committee also notes that, according to the Government’s report, between 2006 and September 2008, more than 105 persons with disabilities found employment. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the penalties applied to companies by means of the mechanisms recently established. The Committee also requests the Government to continue providing information on the impact of the measures taken by the Department for the Socio-economic Integration of Persons with Disabilities on the access of persons with disabilities to employment and training. Please also provide information on the results of the National Strategic Plan for the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (2005–09).

Part V of the report form. The Committee reiterates its request for information on the progress made in incorporating into the national statistics information on employment and occupation, in both the public and private sectors, disaggregated by sex, race, ethnic origin, age, class and other variables.