Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report, including the statistical data provided.

1. The Committee notes that the pay gap between men and women has continued to decrease slightly. In 1996 women’s mean monthly rate of pay was 72 per cent of men’s and by 1998 it was 74.33 per cent. Women’s median monthly rate of pay amounted to 70 per cent of men’s in 1996 and in 1998 it had only increased to 71.67 per cent. The Committee asks the Government to provide the "Labour Statistics, 1998" report referred to in its report under the Convention and invites the Government to continue to provide statistical information along the lines of its general observation to this Convention.

2. The Committee notes that the Government is currently considering, in consultation with the social partners within the framework of the Labour Advisory Board, the alignment of the existing legislation with the Community Directive on Equal Pay No. 75/117. It asks the Government to provide information on the relevant legislative developments and hopes that any changes will incorporate the requirement of equal remuneration for work of equal value between men and women. In this regard the Committee emphasizes the importance of using equal value as the basis of comparison.

3. The Committee notes that national level tripartite consultations, chaired by the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, aiming at a more effective implementation of the principle of equal remuneration, have continued. It also notes that following these consultations a draft law amending the Equal Remuneration Law No. 158 of 1989 and empowering the Council of Ministers to issue regulations for a more effective implementation of the principle of equal remuneration, as well as draft regulations, have been approved by the Council of Ministers and submitted to the House of Representatives. The Committee asks the Government to provide copies of the Act and of the Regulations once adopted and hopes that they will expressly include the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal "value". The Committee also notes that during these tripartite consultations it was decided to draft regulations relating to the composition and terms of reference of the Technical Committee which may be set up under section 7 of Law No. 158 of 1989 with a view to assisting the Industrial Disputes Court in assessing work of equal value. The Committee hopes that information on the follow-up of this decision will be provided with the next report. It also reiterates its hope that the Government will continue to supply information, in its future reports, regarding the practical measures for implementation of the Convention developed through the abovementioned consultations.

4. The Committee asks the Government to supply information, including statistics, on women’s participation in the labour market and on any measures taken or envisaged to ensure that equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women in relation to employment and occupation, which is a precondition for equal pay for work of equal value, is ensured for male and female workers.

5. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on developments concerning the elimination of wage discrimination in industry level collective agreements and reiterates its request for copies of the pay scales and job classifications contained in collective agreements.