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Legislative developments. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of Act No. 38(I) of 2009 (Amendment) regarding equal remuneration between men and women for the same work and for work of equal value, amending Act No. 177(I) of 2002 and Act No. 193(I) of 2004 (Basic Acts) concerning equal remuneration between men and women. These laws were adopted with a view to harmonizing the national legislation with the Directive 2006/54/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 5 July 2006 on the implementation of the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women in matters of employment and occupation (recast). The Committee notes that Act No. 38(I) of 2009 strengthens the definitions of direct and indirect discrimination based on sex, and of remuneration, and inserts provisions regarding the promotion of equal remuneration through social dialogue and dialogue with concerned non-governmental organizations. The Act also provides for out-of-court protection of victims of discrimination (complaints can be submitted to the Ombudsman’s Office), enhances the accessibility of legal proceedings and the provision of legal aid by the Gender Equality Committee in Employment and Vocational Training, and clarifies the shifting of the burden of proof to the respondent. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the practical application of the Acts of 2002 to 2009 concerning equal remuneration between men and women for the same work and for work of equal value, including relevant judicial and administrative decisions, as well as complaints handled by the labour inspection services.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.