Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee notes with interest the adoption of the Prevention of Discrimination Act, No. 26 of 1997, which applies to both the private and public sectors. It notes that section 9 of the Act imposes the obligation on every employer, or person acting on behalf of such employer, to pay equal remuneration to men and women performing work of equal value. Section 2 defines equal remuneration as the rates of remuneration that have been established without differentiation based on the grounds of sex and defines work of equal value in terms of the demands it makes in relation to such matters as skill levels, duties, physical and mental efforts, responsibility and conditions of work. The Committee also notes with interest that section 2(o) of the Act defines "remuneration" in broad terms, as required in Article 1 of the Convention, and that section 9, paragraph 3, places the burden of proof for establishing that equal remuneration has been paid on the employer.

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