Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1989, published 76th ILC session (1989)

1. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes with satisfaction that section 8(1)(c) of the Public Employees Pension Act, 1961, as well as section 11(1)(c) of the Pensions Act, Cap. 25, which provided that female employees may be required to retire from service upon marriage, were repealed by the Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1985-18.

2. The Committee likewise notes with satisfaction that a new section 5 of the Immigration Act, Cap. 190, substituted by the Immigration (Amendment) Act, 1979-27, gives foreign husbands of Barbadian women the same rights as foreign wives of Barbadian men as regards employment in Barbados.

3. In earlier comments, the Committee noted that the Government had declared a policy of non-discrimination against women and that measures aimed at achieving this objective were to include, inter alia, the preparation of an Employment and Related Provisions Bill to prohibit discrimination on grounds of sex, as well as discrimination based on race, colour, creed, political opinion or social origin, and to provide to persons who consider themselves subjected to any discriminatory practice in employment a right of appeal to a tribunal. The Committee noted from the Government's report received in 1984 that there had been no further progress on the Employment and Related Provisions Bill and that it was highly unlikely that the Bill would be further considered in its present form. The Committee asks again that the Government supply detailed information on further measures taken in application of its policy of non-discrimination, including any legislative provisions to prohibit discrimination in employment and occupation and to provide means of redress. A direct request on a number of related matters is again being addressed to the Government.