CMNT_TITLE

Repetition

Article 1(1)(a) of the Convention. Grounds of discrimination. The Committee notes that, according to the Government, the new draft Labour Code has been validated by the High Committee for Labour and Social Security and will be forwarded to the Council of Ministers in the near future. The Government adds that the Committee’s comments have been taken into account and that the draft text has been amended accordingly. The Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to report on the adoption of the new Labour Code and requests it to ensure that it contains provisions explicitly prohibiting any direct or indirect discrimination based, as a minimum, on all the grounds enumerated in Article 1(1)(a) of the Convention, including national extraction and social origin, at all stages of employment and occupation. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the Code as soon as it has been adopted, and of any implementing texts with respect to non-discrimination and equality in employment and occupation.

Discrimination based on sex and equality of treatment between men and women. With reference to its previous observation, the Committee notes the Government’s acknowledgement that section 9 of Ordinance No. 006/PR/84 of 1984, which gives the husband the right to object to his spouse’s activities, is completely outdated. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that it will take measures to repeal this provision, which no longer corresponds to current realities. With regard to discrimination against women in practice, the Government indicates that occupational segregation between men and women is, among other factors, due to the high levels of illiteracy and social rigidity. The Committee once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures to formally repeal section 9 of the Ordinance of 1984 and to combat actively stereotypes and prejudices concerning the vocational capacities and aspirations of men and women. The Committee also requests the Government to carry out awareness-raising activities for parents and the population as a whole concerning the need for girls and boys to go to and remain in school, and to promote the access of girls and women to a broader range of training courses and occupations, particularly those that are traditionally male.