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Article 1 of the Convention. As regards family allowances, the Committee notes that Act No. 15-2006/AN of 11 May 2006 (section 43) states that “family benefits (prenatal allowances, family allowances and maternity benefits) are payable to the mother or, failing that, to the father of the child”. The Committee asks the Government to supply information, including statistics on the practical application of this section with regard to the payment to mothers and fathers.

Article 2. National Policy for the Advancement of Women. The Committee notes with interest that, according to the Government’s report, the National Policy for the Advancement of Women, adopted in 2004, has resulted in significant improvements in the gross school attendance rate for girls, which increased from 64.9 per cent in 2005–06 to 79.1 per cent in 2007–08 in secondary education. It also notes the Government’s indication that this policy has contributed to the creation or revival of structures for financing and support for women entrepreneurs and to the easing of conditions for women’s access to credit. The Government explains that these advances have resulted in a significant reduction in the segregation of women in the labour market, in greater access for women to middle and top management posts and in reductions in remuneration inequalities between women and men. Welcoming the measures taken by the Government in favour of employment for women, the Committee requests the Government to supply detailed information, including any statistics available, showing the impact of these measures in reducing inequalities in pay and to continue to supply information on the implementation and impact of the Policy for the Advancement of Women as regards equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate the specific measures taken in this respect, particularly with regard to the development of education and the diversification of vocational training for girls and boys and for men and women, in order to combat occupational segregation in the labour market and create access to better paid jobs, occupations and posts.

Article 3. Objective job evaluation. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the job classification system is largely based on qualifications and experience, regardless of the occupation or job under consideration, and that efforts are being made to introduce the criterion of the value of work done. The Committee recalls that the effective application of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women implies that the value of jobs can be determined on the basis of the tasks involved, objectively and free of any sexist stereotypes or prejudices, in order to classify them according to the value identified and thus establish the applicable rate of pay. Even though the Convention does not prescribe the use of a particular evaluation method, the Committee emphasized in its general observation of 2006 that for the purpose of ensuring gender equality in the determination of remuneration, analytical methods of job evaluation have been found to be the most effective. These enable a systematic comparison of jobs on the basis of explicit, clearly defined criteria, thus reducing the risk of subjective decisions. Such methods analyse and classify` jobs on the basis of objective factors relating to the jobs to be compared, such as skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions (see paragraph 141 of the 1986 General Survey on equal remuneration). It is important to ensure that the selection of factors for comparison, the weighting of such factors and the actual comparison carried out are not inherently discriminatory. Often skills considered to be “female”, such as manual dexterity and those required in caring professions, are undervalued or even overlooked, in comparison with traditionally “male” skills, such as heavy lifting. Inviting the Government to continue the efforts made to introduce the concept of the “value of work” in the job classification system, the Committee asks the Government to supply detailed information on the measures taken or contemplated, in cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations, for developing a job evaluation method on the basis of objective, non-discriminatory criteria, going beyond the qualifications and experience required for a job, and for promoting the use of this method in both the public and private sectors.

Article 4. Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government on the activities of the Labour Advisory Committee (CCT) relating to labour legislation. It also notes that the validation of a national study on discrimination in employment and occupation within the context of the programme to support the implementation of the declaration (PAMODEC) has brought together all the social partners and also organizations from civil society. The Committee asks the Government to indicate specifically how the Government cooperates with the social partners to achieve equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value and to provide information on the work of the CCT relating specifically to this issue.

Labour inspection. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the activities of the labour inspectorate relating to enforcement in enterprises of the application of the legislation concerning equal remuneration for men and women and also on infringements reported or detected and penalties imposed. It also asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken or contemplated, particularly through specific training, to enable labour inspectors to be better equipped to detect discrimination with regard to remuneration and to handle such cases effectively.

Statistics. The Committee notes that in reply to its request for statistical data on remuneration for men and women, the Government indicates that the wage scales applicable in the different branches of activity of the public and private sectors are the same for men and women, with respect to the same jobs, and that there is no differentiation which would necessitate the compilation of statistics. The Committee recalls that the statistics requested relate to the actual earnings of men and women in practice and not to the wage scales applicable to the different branches of activity. Moreover, with reference to its general observation of 1998 on the Convention, the Committee wishes to emphasise that an analysis of the position and wages of men and women in all categories of employment, and also between sectors of economic activity as well as within them, is necessary for tackling the problem of the gender remuneration gap. It is necessary to have the fullest information possible to enable an adequate evaluation of the nature, extent and causes of any inequalities in remuneration between men and women and of the progress made with respect to the application of the principles of the Convention and to adopt suitable measures. The Committee encourages the Government to take the necessary steps to undertake the compilation and analysis of statistical information on the distribution of men and women in the public and private sectors and also on their respective levels of remuneration, and requests it to supply information on the progress made in this regard.

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Article 1 of the Convention. Equal remuneration for work of equal value. Legislation. In its previous comments the Committee emphasized that the Labour Code, 2004, did not clearly reflect the principle of the Convention even though it explicitly established the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value, since it also provided for equal wages for workers regardless of their sex “given equal conditions of work, vocational qualifications and output” (section 175). This led the Committee to recall the importance of ensuring that the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value also applies to situations in which men and women work under different conditions or, have different qualifications, and nevertheless perform work of equal value. In its previous observation the Committee had noted that the
Labour Code was being revised. The Committee notes the adoption of Act
No. 028-2008/AN of 13 May 2008 issuing the Labour Code, section 182 of which  retains the same provisions as the former Labour Code with regard to equal remuneration for men and women. It therefore notes with regret that the Government has not taken the opportunity afforded by the elaboration of a new the Labour Code to bring these provisions fully into conformity with the principle of the Convention.

The Committee wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the fact that experience has shown that the requirement of “equal conditions of work, skill and output” can provide a pretext for paying women lower wages than men (General Survey of 1986 on equal remuneration, paragraph 54) and that the emphasis should rather be placed on the nature and value of work, which necessitates a comparison of tasks on the basis of objective and non-discriminatory criteria. Referring to its general observation of 2006, in which it spells out the meaning of the concept of “work of equal value”, the Committee emphasizes that it is essential to compare the value of the work done in different occupations, which may involve different qualifications and skills, responsibilities or working conditions but which are nevertheless of equal value. The Committee considers that the coexistence in the  Labour Code of 2008, of provisions on the one hand establishing equal remuneration for all workers irrespective of their sex “given equal conditions of work, vocational qualifications and output” and provisions on the other hand stating that “the determination of wages and the fixing of rates of pay must respect the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value” may lead to confusion or conflict in the application of the principle of the Convention in practice, in view of the different criteria adopted. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary steps to bring section 182 of the Labour Code of 2008, into full conformity with the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value established by the Convention and to supply information on any measures taken in this regard.

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

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Article 1 of the Convention. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the wage differentials between men and women are linked inter alia to the fact that family allowances and tax relief for family expenditure are granted to the man unless the woman expressly requests otherwise. The Committee refers to Article 1(a) of the Convention and asks the Government to send information on all measures taken or envisaged to abolish the discriminatory provisions on remuneration, particularly on family allowance and tax relief.

Article 2. National Policy for the Advancement of Women. The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s report, women account for 51 per cent of the population deemed to be living in extreme poverty. The Government also indicates that women are in the majority in the informal and agricultural sectors and are largely under-represented in most jobs, particularly middle and top management jobs, where they hold 10 per cent and 29.6 per cent of posts, respectively. The report further indicates that in Burkina Faso a woman’s life is still to a large extent governed by customary rules and practices which enshrine the traditional distribution of roles and tasks between men and women, and that some employers are reluctant to hire women in case family responsibilities keep them away from work. The Committee notes that in order to remedy the persistent inequalities between men and women, the National Policy for the Advancement of Women provides for priority measures to reduce social and cultural practices which are acknowledged as backward and demeaning for women, to promote women’s access to employment and training and their participation in decision-making bodies. The Committee asks the Government to send information on the application of the National Policy for the Advancement of Women as concerns the reduction of the wage differentials between men and women, and more particularly on its impact in reducing the segregation of women in the labour market and their participation in middle and top management posts.

Article 3. Objective job evaluation. The Committee notes once again that the Government has sent no information on the measures taken to have an objective evaluation of jobs carried out in the public and the private sectors. It points out that according to Article 3(1), application of the principle of equal pay for work of equal value necessarily implies some form of comparison between jobs. The Committee refers the Government to its general observation of 2006 in which it pointed out that while it lays down no particular method for such an evaluation, the Convention does presuppose the use of appropriate techniques for objective job evaluation (general observation, 2006, paragraph 5). Since the information sent by the Government on the National Policy for the Advancement of Women shows that men and women do different jobs, it is essential to use such a technique that will determine whether the jobs that involve different work may nonetheless have the same value for the purpose of remuneration. The Committee points out that adopting non-discriminatory evaluation criteria and applying them in a uniform manner is of vital importance to reducing the wage differentials that arise from traditional stereotypes in terms of the “value of work”. The Committee accordingly repeats its request to the Government to send information on the operation of the job classification system and on any other initiatives taken in the public service or in enterprises to ensure that an objective job evaluation is carried out for the purpose of setting wages.

Objective evaluation of domestic tasks. The Committee notes that according to the Government’s report, the Economic Commission for Africa has paved the way for a pilot project in Burkina Faso with the aim of conducting a major evaluation of the domestic tasks performed by women. Economic aggregates are to be used in determining women’s economic and financial performance. The Committee asks the Government to send information on the progress made in conducting the evaluation of women’s domestic tasks and on the results obtained.

Article 4. Cooperation with the social partners. The Committee notes that cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations still takes place through the Labour Advisory Committee. Noting that the Government provides no information on the work of this body, the Committee reiterates its request for information on all activities carried out in cooperation with the social partners to promote the application of the Convention.

Practical application of the principle. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that significant progress has been made in applying the principle of equality of remuneration between men and women in that no complaints in this area have been recorded by the labour inspection services. The Government further indicates that in order to ensure that the principle of equality of remuneration is applied effectively, it is gradually providing the inspectorate with the necessary means to inspect workplaces. The Committee wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the fact that the absence of complaints does not necessarily mean that there is no wage discrimination. It can also be an indication of a lack of awareness on the part of victims of their rights and the means of redress available to them. The Committee asks the Government to keep it informed of the measures taken to ensure effective application of the principle of the Convention, particularly advocacy and information campaigns about the principle of the Convention. It also asks the Government to keep it informed of any judicial or administrative decisions relating to the principle of the Convention.

Part V of the report form. Statistical information. The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s report, there are no wage differentials between men and women workers. It notes, however, that the Government provides no statistics in support of this statement. In view of the difficulties involved in assessing progress made in the application of the principle of equality of remuneration, the Committee asks the Government once again to provide, in so far as it is able, statistics on the remuneration of men and women in the labour market.

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1. Article 1 of the Convention. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the wage differentials between men and women are linked inter alia to the fact that family allowances and tax relief for family expenditure are granted to the man unless the woman expressly requests otherwise. The Committee refers to Article 1(a) of the Convention and asks the Government to send information on all measures taken or envisaged to abolish the discriminatory provisions on remuneration, particularly on family allowance and tax relief.

2. Article 2. National Policy for the Advancement of Women. The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s report, women account for 51 per cent of the population deemed to be living in extreme poverty. The Government also indicates that women are in the majority in the informal and agricultural sectors and are largely under-represented in most jobs, particularly middle and top management jobs, where they hold 10 per cent and 29.6 per cent of posts, respectively. The report further indicates that in Burkina Faso a woman’s life is still to a large extent governed by customary rules and practices which enshrine the traditional distribution of roles and tasks between men and women, and that some employers are reluctant to hire women in case family responsibilities keep them away from work. The Committee notes that in order to remedy the persistent inequalities between men and women, the National Policy for the Advancement of Women provides for priority measures to reduce social and cultural practices which are acknowledged as backward and demeaning for women, to promote women’s access to employment and training and their participation in decision-making bodies. The Committee asks the Government to send information on the application of the National Policy for the Advancement of Women as concerns the reduction of the wage differentials between men and women, and more particularly on its impact in reducing the segregation of women in the labour market and their participation in middle and top management posts.

3. Article 3. Objective job evaluation. The Committee notes once again that the Government has sent no information on the measures taken to have an objective evaluation of jobs carried out in the public and the private sectors. It points out that according to Article 3(1), application of the principle of equal pay for work of equal value necessarily implies some form of comparison between jobs. The Committee refers the Government to its general observation of 2006 in which it pointed out that while it lays down no particular method for such an evaluation, the Convention does presuppose the use of appropriate techniques for objective job evaluation (general observation, 2006, paragraph 5). Since the information sent by the Government on the National Policy for the Advancement of Women shows that men and women do different jobs, it is essential to use such a technique that will determine whether the jobs that involve different work may nonetheless have the same value for the purpose of remuneration. The Committee points out that adopting non-discriminatory evaluation criteria and applying them in a uniform manner is of vital importance to reducing the wage differentials that arise from traditional stereotypes in terms of the “value of work”. The Committee accordingly repeats its request to the Government to send information on the operation of the job classification system and on any other initiatives taken in the public service or in enterprises to ensure that an objective job evaluation is carried out for the purpose of setting wages.

4. Objective evaluation of domestic tasks. The Committee notes that according to the Government’s report, the Economic Commission for Africa has paved the way for a pilot project in Burkina Faso with the aim of conducting a major evaluation of the domestic tasks performed by women. Economic aggregates are to be used in determining women’s economic and financial performance. The Committee asks the Government to send information on the progress made in conducting the evaluation of women’s domestic tasks and on the results obtained.

5. Article 4. Cooperation with the social partners. The Committee notes that cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations still takes place through the Labour Advisory Committee. Noting that the Government provides no information on the work of this body, the Committee reiterates its request for information on all activities carried out in cooperation with the social partners to promote the application of the Convention.

6. Practical application of the principle. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that significant progress has been made in applying the principle of equality of remuneration between men and women in that no complaints in this area have been recorded by the labour inspection services. The Government further indicates that in order to ensure that the principle of equality of remuneration is applied effectively, it is gradually providing the inspectorate with the necessary means to inspect workplaces. The Committee wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the fact that the absence of complaints does not necessarily mean that there is no wage discrimination. It can also be an indication of a lack of awareness on the part of victims of their rights and the means of redress available to them. The Committee asks the Government to keep it informed of the measures taken to ensure effective application of the principle of the Convention, particularly advocacy and information campaigns about the principle of the Convention. It also asks the Government to keep it informed of any judicial or administrative decisions relating to the principle of the Convention.

7. Part V of the report form. Statistical information. The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s report, there are no wage differentials between men and women workers. It notes, however, that the Government provides no statistics in support of this statement. In view of the difficulties involved in assessing progress made in the application of the principle of equality of remuneration, the Committee asks the Government once again to provide, in so far as it is able, statistics on the remuneration of men and women in the labour market.

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Legislation. Work of equal value. The Committee noted in its previous comments that section 175 of the Labour Code (Act No. 33-2004/AN of 14 September 2004) did not clearly reflect the principle of the Convention. Section 175 expressly establishes the principle of equal pay for work of equal value but at the same time provides that where conditions of work are equal, wages shall be equal for all workers. The Committee notes that these provisions of the Labour Code are undergoing revision. In the Committee’s view, it would be important in the course of this revision to clarify that the principle of equal pay for work of equal value also applies to situations in which men and women working in different conditions or having different qualifications nevertheless perform work of equal value for the purpose of remuneration. In this regard, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to its general observation of 2006. It hopes that in the course of the revision of the Labour Code, the Government will take the necessary measures in order to bring section 175 of the Labour Code into line with the principle of the Convention. It asks the Government to provide a copy of the new provisions of the Code.

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

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1. Article 2 of the Convention. Promotion of the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value. Recalling the adoption of a national policy for the promotion of women (Decree No. 2004-486/PRES/PM/MPF), the Committee once again asks the Government to provide with its next report a copy of this policy, as well as information on the measures taken under the policy to promote the principle of equal remuneration between men and women for work of equal value, in particular with respect to addressing the occupational segregation of women in both the public and private sectors, and the results achieved.

2. The Committee notes from the Government’s report submitted to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) (CEDAW/C/BFA/4-5, page 35) that wage discrimination occurs in the private sector. The Government indicates that measures for redress exist before the labour inspectorate and the labour courts, but that fear of the courts, lack of confidence in the magistrates, fear of losing their jobs or ignorance of their rights or procedures, limit the legal action taken by women. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to overcome these problems with a view to ensuring the effective enforcement of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value in the private sector.

3. Article 3. Objective evaluation of jobs. With respect to the establishment of a national job classification system, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that the mechanism is still not operational. Recalling that, according to a previous report, the system was to begin in 1997, the Committee urges the Government to provide information on the steps taken to put into operation the job classification system, as well as on any other initiatives in the public service or at the enterprise level to undertake objective evaluation of jobs for the purposes of wage fixing.

4. Article 4. Cooperation with the social partners. Noting once again the absence of any information regarding this point, the Committee must reiterate its request to the Government to supply information on any activities taken in cooperation with the social partners to promote the application of the Convention.

5. Part V of the report form. Statistical information. The Committee recalls its previous comments regarding the importance of collecting and analysing statistical data concerning the levels of remuneration of women and men with a view to assessing the extent, scope and nature of existing pay inequalities between men and women. The Committee requests the Government, once again, to make every effort to collect and provide such data with its next report.

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Articles 1(b) and 2 of the Convention. Giving legal expression to the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value. The Committee notes section 175 of the Labour Code (Act No. 33‑2004/AN of 14 September 2004), which provides that “where there are equal working conditions, professional qualifications and output, the salary shall be equal for all workers no matter what their origin, sex, age or status. When setting the rates of remuneration, the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value shall be respected”. While welcoming the explicit reference to the principle of the Convention in the Labour Code, the Committee recalls that the Convention also applies to situations where men and women work under different working conditions or have different qualifications, but nevertheless perform jobs of equal value. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the principle of the Convention is fully applied in practice through, for example, the prohibition of discrimination in article 41 of the Inter-Occupational Collective Agreement of 9 July 1974. The Committee asks the Government, however, to provide information beyond the legal expression of the principle of equal remuneration, demonstrating how section 175 of the Labour Code is applied in practice. Such information should include the manner in which the labour inspectorate is ensuring the application of the relevant legislation as well as information on any cases dealt with by the courts involving the application of section 175 of the Labour Code.

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

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1. Article 1 of the Convention. Legislative measures. The Committee notes the adoption of the new Labour Code (Act No. 33-2004/AN of 14 September 2004). It notes that the Code in section 175 continues to provide that "where there are equal working conditions, professional qualifications and output, the salary shall be equal for all workers no matter what their origin, sex, age or status". This, however, does not fully reflect the principle of the Convention. In this context, the Committee points out once again that the Convention sets out the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value and applies to  situations where men and women work under different working conditions or with different qualifications, but nevertheless perform jobs of equal value. The Committee hopes the Government will consider amending section 175 in order to bring it fully into line with the Convention. In the meantime, please provide information on how the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value is applied in practice.

2. Article 2. Promotion of the principle of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of a national policy for the promotion of women by Decree No. 2004-486/PRES/PM/MPF of 10 November 2004. The Government is asked to provide a copy of this policy as well as information on the measures taken under the policy to promote the principle of equal remuneration between men and women for work of equal value, and the results achieved.

3. The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read in relevant parts as follows:

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2. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the national job classification system that was envisaged has not yet been established. The Committee hopes that the Government will continue to provide information in this regard in its next report. Please also provide information on any other initiatives in the public service or at the sector or enterprise level to undertake objective evaluation of jobs for the purposes of wage fixing.

3. With regard to the collection of statistical information concerning the levels of remuneration of women and men, the Committee once again encourages the Government to make every effort to collect such data and to share it with the Committee. Such information is of crucial importance in order to be able to assess the extent, scope and nature of existing inequalities in remuneration as between men and women. Recalling that the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women underlined in its 1999 concluding observations the existence of labour market segregation with regard to levels of remuneration, the Committee urges the Government to take all possible action to improve the status of women in the labour market, increase education and skill levels of women and widen occupational choices for women, all of which should lead to an improved application of the Convention.

4. The Committee reiterates its request to the Government to supply information on any activities of the social partners to promote the application of the Convention.

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The Committee takes note of the Government’s reports.

1. The Committee notes the Government’s confirmation that section 104 of the Labour Code (Act No. 11/92), which provides that "where there are equal working conditions, professional qualifications and output, the salary shall be equal for all workers no matter what their origin, sex, age or status", is still in force. In this context, the Committee recalls its previous comments concerning the formulation of section 104, emphasizing that the Convention lays out the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value. The Committee is of the view that the current formulation of section 104 does not fully reflect the principle of the Convention. The Convention also covers situations where men and women work under different working conditions or with different qualifications, but perform jobs of equal value. The Committee hopes the Government will consider amending section 104 in order to bring it fully into line with the Convention. Please provide information on any other measures taken to ensure that the principle of the Convention is applied in practice.

2. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the national job classification system that was envisaged has not yet been established. The Committee hopes that the Government will continue to provide information in this regard in its next report. Please also provide information on any other initiatives in the public service or at the sector or enterprise level to undertake objective evaluation of jobs for the purposes of wage fixing.

3. With regard to the collection of statistical information concerning the levels of remuneration of women and men, the Committee once again encourages the Government to make every effort to collect such data and to share it with the Committee. Such information is of crucial importance in order to be able to assess the extent, scope and nature of existing inequalities in remuneration as between men and women. Recalling that the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women underlined in its 1999 concluding observations the existence of labour market segregation with regard to levels of remuneration, the Committee urges the Government to take all possible action to improve the status of women in the labour market, increase education and skill levels of women and widen occupational choices for women, all of which should lead to an improved application of the Convention.

4. The Committee reiterates its request to the Government to supply information on any activities of the social partners to promote the application of the Convention.

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The Committee takes note of the Government’s report.

1. The Committee notes with interest the information on section 104 of the Labour Code. The Committee asks the Government to confirm whether this is the text currently in force and reiterates its request for a copy of the final text of the Labour Code.

2. The Committee notes that the Government has not provided any information on the establishment of a national job classification system, which according to a previous report was to begin in 1997. The Committee hopes that the Government will supply information in this regard in its next report.

3. Noting its difficulties in providing statistical data, the Committee can only reiterate the hope that the Government, as well as workers’ and employers’ organizations, will strive to collect the information necessary to assess the extent, scope and nature of existing inequalities in remuneration between men and women. In this regard, the Committee notes that the second and third periodic report submitted by the Government under the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women points out the existence of discrimination in recruitment in both the private and public sector. Moreover, the Committee notes that concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the Government’s report also underline that men and women receive differentiated levels of remuneration (paragraph 279). The Committee urges the Government to take all possible action to improve the status of women in the labour market, increase education and skill levels of women and widen occupational choices, all of which should lead to an improved application of the Convention.

4. Please also supply information on any activities of the social partners to promote the application of the Convention.

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The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. With respect to the Committee's request for statistical data in its previous comments, the Committee draws the Government's attention to its 1998 general observation. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its earlier direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report.

1. The Committee notes the information to the effect that its previous comments on the formulation of section 104 of the Labour Code (which stipulates that where there are equal working conditions, professional qualifications and output, the salary shall be equal for all workers no matter what their origin, sex, age or status under the conditions laid down in this part of the Code) have been taken into account in the process of revising the Labour Code which is currently under way. It therefore awaits with interest the copy of the final text which the Government has undertaken to supply in due course.

2. The Committee notes that the establishment of a national job classification system, announced in 1994, will finally being in 1997 and that the Government confirms its wish to request ILO technical assistance. In this regard, the Committee wishes to emphasize that, according to Article 3 of the Convention, some form of objective job evaluation is the only means of establishing differential rates and that it is therefore important for a State which has ratified the Convention to adopt a technique for measuring and comparing objectively whether jobs involving different work have, nevertheless the same value for the purposes of remuneration. For further details, please refer to paragraphs 138 to 152 of the Committee's 1986 General Survey on equal remuneration.

3. The Committee notes the Government's affirmation that application of the provisions of the Convention is satisfactory in general terms. It notes, however, that the report does not contain any statistical data on actual average earnings of men and women as they are not available and that research in this field does not allow a true assessment of the extent, scope and nature of possible inequalities. It notes the Government's undertaking to communicate information on the activities of the labour inspectorate which could demonstrate the application of the principle of the Convention. Observing that the nature and evolving character of the principle of equal remuneration will necessarily lead to difficulties in application, the Committee can only reiterate the wish that the Government -- as well as employers' and workers' organizations -- will endeavour to collect the information requested in order to be aware precisely of the nature and extend of any inequalities in remuneration and to prepare measures to eradicate them, if necessary.

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The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report.

1. The Committee notes the information to the effect that its previous comments on the formulation of section 104 of the Labour Code (which stipulates that where there are equal working conditions, professional qualifications and output, the salary shall be equal for all workers no matter what their origin, sex, age or status under the conditions laid down in this part of the Code) have been taken into account in the process of revising the Labour Code which is currently under way. It therefore awaits with interest the copy of the final text which the Government has undertaken to supply in due course.

2. The Committee notes that the establishment of a national job-classification system announced in 1994 will finally begin in 1997 and that the Government confirms its wish to request ILO technical assistance. In this regard, the Committee wishes to emphasize that according to Article 3 of the Convention some form of objective job evaluation is the only means of establishing differential rates and that it is therefore important for a State which has ratified the Convention to adopt a technique for measuring and comparing objectively whether jobs involving different work have, nevertheless, the same value for the purposes of remuneration. For further details, please refer to paragraphs 138 to 152 of the Committee's 1986 General Survey on equal remuneration.

3. The Committee notes the Government's affirmation that application of the provisions of the Convention is satisfactory in general terms. It notes, however, that the report does not contain any statistical data on actual average earnings of men and women as they are not available, and that research in this field does not allow a true assessment of the extent, scope and nature of possible inequalities. It notes the Government's undertaking to communicate information on the activities of the labour inspectorate which could demonstrate the application of the principle of the Convention. Observing that the nature and evolving character of the principle of equal remuneration will necessarily lead to difficulties in application, the Committee can only reiterate the wish that the Government -- as well as employers' and workers' organizations -- will endeavour to collect the information requested in order to be aware precisely of the nature and extent of any inequalities in remuneration and to prepare measures to eradicate them, if necessary.

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The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report.

1. The Committee notes the information to the effect that its previous comments on the formulation of section 104 of the Labour Code (which stipulates that where there are equal working conditions, professional qualifications and output, the salary shall be equal for all workers no matter what their origin, sex, age or status under the conditions laid down in this part of the Code) have been taken into account in the process of revising the Labour Code which is currently under way. It therefore awaits with interest the copy of the final text which the Government has undertaken to supply in due course.

2. The Committee notes that the establishment of a national job-classification system announced in 1994 will finally begin in 1997 and that the Government confirms its wish to request ILO technical assistance. In this regard, the Committee wishes to emphasize that according to Article 3 of the Convention some form of objective job evaluation is the only means of establishing differential rates and that it is therefore important for a State which has ratified the Convention to adopt a technique for measuring and comparing objectively whether jobs involving different work have, nevertheless, the same value for the purposes of remuneration. For further details, please refer to paragraphs 138 to 152 of the Committee's 1986 General Survey on equal remuneration.

3. The Committee notes the Government's affirmation that application of the provisions of the Convention is satisfactory in general terms. It notes, however, that the report does not contain any statistical data on actual average earnings of men and women as they are not available, and that research in this field does not allow a true assessment of the extent, scope and nature of possible inequalities. It notes the Government's undertaking to communicate information on the activities of the labour inspectorate which could demonstrate the application of the principle of the Convention. Observing that the nature and evolving character of the principle of equal remuneration will necessarily lead to difficulties in application, the Committee can only reiterate the wish that the Government -- as well as employers' and workers' organizations -- will endeavour to collect the information requested in order to be aware precisely of the nature and extent of any inequalities in remuneration and to prepare measures to eradicate them, if necessary.

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The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes the Government's statement that although section 104 of the new Labour Code (which stipulates that "where there are equal working conditions, professional qualifications and output, the salary shall be equal for all workers no matter what their origin, sex, age or status under the conditions laid down in this part of the Code") does not reproduce the formulation proposed in the ILO's technical comments on the draft Code, it nonetheless reflects their intent, since in practice when a woman's work is different from that of a man but of equal value, she receives the same treatment.

With reference to Article 2, paragraph 2, of the Convention under which the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value may be applied: (a) either by the national legislation; (b) or by a wage-fixing system established by law; (c) or by collective agreements between employers and workers; (d) or by a combination of these methods, the Committee asks the Government to indicate in its next report the measures taken or envisaged to include in the implementing decrees and regulations provided for in the new Labour Code, pending the forthcoming review of the Code, or in the relevant collective agreements, a provision expressly establishing the principle of equal pay for work of equal value and not for the same work. Please provide copies of such decrees and collective agreements as soon as they have been adopted.

2. The Committee notes with interest that the Government's 1994 activities programme provides for a national job-classification system to be established and that the Government will request ILO assistance in this matter in due course. The Committee confirms that the ILO is ready to provide technical assistance in this area if so requested. It asks the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the implementation of the above programme and the progress made in setting up an objective job evaluation system so that the value of the various tasks can be compared, as recommended in Article 3 of the Convention. Please refer in this connection to paragraphs 138 to 152 of the Committee's General Survey of 1986 on equal remuneration, in which it describes methods for evaluating jobs and the results obtained by applying these methods in various countries.

3. With reference to paragraph 3 of its previous direct request, the Committee asks the Government to endeavour, with the cooperation of the employers' and workers' organizations, to compile statistics on earnings and related factors and to analyse them, so as to understand better the exact nature and extent of existing inequalities and devise measures to eliminate them, as recommended in paragraph 248 of the General Survey.

4. Noting from the report that the labour inspection services are responsible for regular supervision of the effective application of the principle of the Convention, and that, to date, they have recorded no infringements, the Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to ensure supervision of the provisions of laws and agreements concerning equal remuneration and, in particular, on the activities of the labour inspectorate (infringements recorded, sanctions imposed) and on court decisions relating to the Convention.

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With reference to its previous direct requests, the Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report, particularly the adoption of Act No. 11/92 of 22 December 1992 issuing the new Labour Code.

1. The Committee notes the Government's statement that although section 104 of the new Labour Code (which stipulates that "where there are equal working conditions, professional qualifications and output, the salary shall be equal for all workers no matter what their origin, sex, age or status under the conditions laid down in this part of the Code") does not reproduce the formulation proposed in the ILO's technical comments on the draft Code, it nonetheless reflects their intent, since in practice when a woman's work is different from that of a man but of equal value, she receives the same treatment.

With reference to Article 2, paragraph 2, of the Convention under which the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value may be applied: (a) either by the national legislation; (b) or by a wage-fixing system established by law; (c) or by collective agreements between employers and workers; (d) or by a combination of these methods, the Committee asks the Government to indicate in its next report the measures taken or envisaged to include in the implementing decrees and regulations provided for in the new Labour Code, pending the forthcoming review of the Code, or in the relevant collective agreements, a provision expressly establishing the principle of equal pay for work of equal value and not for the same work. Please provide copies of such decrees and collective agreements as soon as they have been adopted.

2. The Committee notes with interest that the Government's 1994 activities programme provides for a national job-classification system to be established and that the Government will request ILO assistance in this matter in due course. The Committee confirms that the ILO is ready to provide technical assistance in this area if so requested. It asks the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the implementation of the above programme and the progress made in setting up an objective job evaluation system so that the value of the various tasks can be compared, as recommended in Article 3 of the Convention. Please refer in this connection to paragraphs 138 to 152 of the Committee's General Survey of 1986 on equal remuneration, in which it describes methods for evaluating jobs and the results obtained by applying these methods in various countries.

3. With reference to paragraph 3 of its previous direct request, the Committee asks the Government to endeavour, with the cooperation of the employers' and workers' organizations, to compile statistics on earnings and related factors and to analyse them, so as to understand better the exact nature and extent of existing inequalities and devise measures to eliminate them, as recommended in paragraph 248 of the General Survey.

4. Noting from the report that the labour inspection services are responsible for regular supervision of the effective application of the principle of the Convention, and that, to date, they have recorded no infringements, the Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to ensure supervision of the provisions of laws and agreements concerning equal remuneration and, in particular, on the activities of the labour inspectorate (infringements recorded, sanctions imposed) and on court decisions relating to the Convention.

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The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

With reference to its previous direct requests, the Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report, and in particular the fact that it is taking into account the possibility of making use of ILO advice and cooperation. Since the report was received, such advice has been supplied in the form of comments on a preliminary draft of the Labour Code; the Committee therefore requests the Government to keep it informed of any progress achieved in the adoption of this new Code.

1. The Committee notes that according to section 104 of the preliminary draft "where there are equal working conditions, professional qualifications and output, the salary shall be equal for all workers no matter what their origin, sex, age or status under the conditions laid down in this part of the Code". Noting that, in its technical comments on the preliminary draft, the Office proposed the amendment of this provision so as to bring it into conformity with Article 1(b) of the Convention, which lays out the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to implement this principle in its legislation and practice in cases where women engage in work of a different nature, but which could be of value equal to that of work carried out by men.

2. The Committee notes from the Government's report that a national system for the objective evaluation of jobs does not yet exist in Burkina Faso and that the Government is envisaging making use of ILO cooperation in order to establish such a system. The Committee confirms the availability of the ILO to provide assistance in undertaking this work if so requested. While awaiting such a request, it asks the Government to supply in its next report information on the measures which have been taken to give effect to Article 3 of the Convention and to keep it informed of the progress achieved in this respect. (Please refer in this connection to the explanations provided in paragraphs 21, 51-62 and 138-152 of its 1986 General Survey on Equal Remuneration.)

3. The Committee notes the Government's statement that the application of the principle of equal remuneration to the proportion of wages which are above the minimum wage is ensured by the system of classification and wage tables in collective agreements in the private sector and by the specific conditions of service for employees in the public sector. It requests the Government to supply in its next report detailed information allowing it to evaluate how the principle of equal remuneration is applied in practice, and particularly: (i) the salary scales applicable in the public sector under the general conditions of service of the public service and the specific conditions of service of employees in the public and semi-public sector, with an indication of the percentage of men and women employed at different levels; (ii) the wage levels established by collective agreements in various sectors of activity, with an indication if possible of the percentage of women covered by these agreements and the distribution of men and women employed at different levels; (iii) statistical data concerning the minimum wage rates and the average actual earnings of men and women broken down, if possible, by occupation, branch of activity, seniority and level of qualification.

4. Noting that the new Constitution was adopted on 11 June 1991, the Committee also requests the Government to supply in its next report details on any measures which have been taken to give effect to the Convention in law and in practice, including the measures taken by labour inspectors to ensure and promote the application of the principle of equal remuneration between men and women workers for work of equal value.

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With reference to its previous direct requests, the Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report, and in particular the fact that it is taking into account the possibility of making use of ILO advice and cooperation. Since the report was received, such advice has been supplied in the form of comments on a preliminary draft of the Labour Code; the Committee therefore requests the Government to keep it informed of any progress achieved in the adoption of this new Code.

1. The Committee notes that according to section 104 of the preliminary draft "where there are equal working conditions, professional qualifications and output, the salary shall be equal for all workers no matter what their origin, sex, age or status under the conditions laid down in this part of the Code". Noting that, in its technical comments on the preliminary draft, the Office proposed the amendment of this provision so as to bring it into conformity with Article 1(b) of the Convention, which lays out the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to implement this principle in its legislation and practice in cases where women engage in work of a different nature, but which could be of value equal to that of work carried out by men.

2. The Committee notes from the Government's report that a national system for the objective evaluation of jobs does not yet exist in Burkina Faso and that the Government is envisaging making use of ILO cooperation in order to establish such a system. The Committee confirms the availability of the ILO to provide assistance in undertaking this work if so requested. While awaiting such a request, it asks the Government to supply in its next report information on the measures which have been taken to give effect to Article 3 of the Convention and to keep it informed of the progress achieved in this respect. (Please refer in this connection to the explanations provided in paragraphs 21, 51-62 and 138-152 of its 1986 General Survey on Equal Remuneration.)

3. The Committee notes the Government's statement that the application of the principle of equal remuneration to the proportion of wages which are above the minimum wage is ensured by the system of classification and wage tables in collective agreements in the private sector and by the specific conditions of service for employees in the public sector. It requests the Government to supply in its next report detailed information allowing it to evaluate how the principle of equal remuneration is applied in practice, and particularly: (i) the salary scales applicable in the public sector under the general conditions of service of the public service and the specific conditions of service of employees in the public and semi-public sector, with an indication of the percentage of men and women employed at different levels; (ii) the wage levels established by collective agreements in various sectors of activity, with an indication if possible of the percentage of women covered by these agreements and the distribution of men and women employed at different levels; (iii) statistical data concerning the minimum wage rates and the average actual earnings of men and women broken down, if possible, by occupation, branch of activity, seniority and level of qualification.

4. Noting that the new Constitution was adopted on 11 June 1991, the Committee also requests the Government to supply in its next report details on any measures which have been taken to give effect to the Convention in law and in practice, including the measures taken by labour inspectors to ensure and promote the application of the principle of equal remuneration between men and women workers for work of equal value.

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The Committee notes that in reply to its previous direct request the Government has stated that the principle of "equal pay for equal work" is a principle of social justice, and that it is a basic component of the Government's policies.

The Committee recalls that in its 1985 direct request it had noted that the guaranteed inter-occupational minimum hourly wage and the guaranteed inter-occupational minimum wages of workers in agricultural undertakings apply to both sexes without distinction, and that it had asked the Government to indicate how the principle of equal remuneration was applied to the part of remuneration that exceeds the minimum wage. In this connection, it recalled that, under Article 1(a) of the Convention, the term "remuneration" includes not only the basic wage but also any other elements paid by the employee.

In reply, the Government referred in its report received in October 1987, to section 90 of the Labour Code and to section 38 of the Inter-occupational Collective Agreement of 9 July 1974, which provide that under equal conditions of work, vocational qualifications and output, wages shall be equal for all workers irrespective of their origin, sex, age or status. The Committee noted in its 1988 direct request that equal remuneration should apply for work of "equal value", not simply to cases of equal conditions of work as indicated in the Government's report. It asked for information on the measures taken or contemplated to give effect to this principle, particularly in cases where, in practice, men and women perform work of a different nature but of equal value. In this connection, the Committee drew the Government's attention to paragraphs 20 to 23 and 52 to 70 of its 1986 General Survey on Equal Remuneration.

The Committee notes the assurances given by the Government that the Convention is fully applied, and requests it to indicate in its next report:

(a)how the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value is applied for remuneration higher than the minimum wage; and

(b)how effect is given to this principle in cases where, in practice, men and women perform work of a different nature but of equal value.