Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

1. The Committee notes that the Government's report contains information of a general nature, but does not reply to all the matters raised in its previous comments, in particular the question of the positive action (in the meaning of paragraphs 166 to 169 of its 1988 General Survey on equality in employment and occupation) taken to encourage and facilitate the access of women to training and employment, and particularly in branches of training and jobs and positions in which they are still very under-represented. In this respect, the Committee notes from the statistics attached to the report that, in 1991, the general percentage of women employed was 11 per cent in the private sector, and 15 per cent in the public service. The Committee once again hopes that the Government will supply information with its next report on the positive measures that have been taken or are envisaged to facilitate and encourage a substantial increase in the participation of women in training and employment, particularly in branches of training and in occupations and jobs in which men are predominant, as well as in managerial positions. In particular, the Committee once again requests information on the vocational training activities undertaken by the National Vocational Training Office (ONFP), including recent statistics on the numbers of girls in the various branches of training organized by the ONFP.

2. With reference to the information provided previously by the Government concerning its intention to raise the awareness of employers as regards the access of girls to trainee positions in enterprises in jobs that are traditionally held by men, and noting from the above statistics that the percentage of female apprentices is very low (1.5 per cent), the Committee requests the Government to provide information on developments in the situation as a result of the awareness-raising activities for employers.

3. The Committee notes with interest that awareness-raising activities for girls are continuing with a view to promoting their access to jobs that have hitherto been occupied by men, particularly through weekly television broadcasts on the subject of "Women at work" and that, as a result of these activities, women's employment has increased in, among others, the fish and food industries. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue providing information in future reports on the education and information activities that have been undertaken concerning the non-discrimination policy and on the results obtained, in the form of statistics reflecting the increase in the number of women employed in the public and private sectors.

4. With reference to the Government's general statement that organizations of employers and workers ensure the observance of government policy in the field of equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and vocational training, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the activities undertaken by these organizations for this purpose and, as requested in its previous comments, to indicate the manner in which they cooperate with the Government to promote the acceptance and observance of this policy, in accordance with Article 3(a) of the Convention.