CMNT_TITLE

Repetition

Article 4 of the Convention. Terms and conditions of employment. Flexible working hours. The Committee notes that under the National Policy for the Promotion of Gender Equality (2006–10) employers will be offered training on the advantages of hiring staff under flexible working hour arrangements (point 2.2.7 of the action plan). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the provision of such training and the number of participating employers. Please also indicate the extent to which flexible working time arrangements are being used in practice, and whether the training provided has contributed to an increased use of such arrangements.

Article 5. Child-care and family services. The Committee notes that the National Policy for the Promotion of Gender Equality provides for a series of measures to increase the availability of child-care services (points 2.5.2 to 2.5.6 of the action plan). The Committee also notes that the Welfare Law was amended in 2006 to provide for the establishment of family centres to provide counselling and practical support to families. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the progress made in implementing the measures set out in points 2.5.2–2.5.6 of the National Policy’s action plan, as well as supplementary information on the manner in which the family centres assist parents to reconcile work and family responsibilities. In addition, please also indicate whether any establishments or services exist to assist workers with family responsibilities in the care of older persons, as requested in the Committee’s previous comments.

Article 6. Information and education on gender equality and workers with family responsibilities. The Committee notes that the National Policy for the Promotion of Gender Equality recognizes the need to encourage equal sharing of family responsibilities between men and women, including the promotion of use of parental leave by fathers. Currently less than 1 per cent of men take such leave. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the specific measures taken in this regard and the impact thereof.

Article 7. Active labour market measures in favour of workers with family responsibilities. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that under the National Plan of Action for Employment (2005–08) measures are envisaged to promote the employment of women who have been absent from the labour market for a long time, as well as single parents and parents with a large number of children. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the measures under the National Plan of Action for Employment enabling workers with family responsibilities to become and remain integrated in the labour force, as well as to re-enter the labour force after an absence due to family responsibilities.

Article 9. Application of the Convention by collective agreements and court decisions. The Committee welcomes the information provided by the Government outlining the family-friendly measures provided under collective agreements, particularly the agreement applying to employees of the Financial Agency. It requests the Government to continue to provide such information. Noting that under the National Policy for the Promotion of Gender Equality, measures are planned to collect information on court cases concerning equality, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on any courts decisions dealing with discrimination based on family responsibilities under section 2 of the Labour Act.