Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government's report, and also the statistical information annexed thereto, and the results of the selective survey on employees' wages by profession and by post.

1. The Committee notes from the Government's report that the new draft of the Labour Code, still in preparation, should include the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value. It reiterates its hopes expressed in its previous direct request that the next report of the Government will include information on the adoption of new amendments and looks forward to receiving a copy of them.

2. The Committee notes the statistical information drawn from a study undertaken by the State Committee on Statistics, of which the Office has received a copy. It notes that the Government indicates that differences in wages are due to the fact that men generally work in occupations that are more dangerous or taxing, or that men have higher qualifications and perform more highly qualified work. It would be grateful if the Government would supply information on the practical steps taken to apply the principle of the Convention, in particular regarding the promotion of access by women to more highly qualified and better paid employment. The Committee hopes that the Government will continue to provide it with the statistical data enabling it to assess the application of the Convention in the Russian Federation, and in this connection recalls the Government's attention to its 1998 general observation concerning this Convention. It again expresses its hope to receive data on public sector wage scales in the next report.

3. Finally, the Committee notes that the Government's report contains no reply to the second point of its previous direct request, asking the Government to provide information on the activities of the labour inspectorate as regards the application of the principle of equal remuneration in the negotiation of wages above the national minimum wage, especially in view of Federal Law No. 109-FZ of 18 July 1995 to amend the Labour Code, by strengthening labour inspection and by increasing verification of labour legislation violations. It reiterates its hope that the Government's next report will contain information on these points including, in particular, details of the number of infringements reported and on penalties imposed.