Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2000, publiée 89ème session CIT (2001)

The Committee notes with interest the adoption of the Prevention of Discrimination Act, No. 26 of 1997, which applies to both the public and private sectors. The Committee notes that section 4(2) of the Act prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, religion, colour, ethnic origin, belonging to indigenous peoples, national extraction, social origin, economic status, political opinion, disability, having family responsibilities, pregnancy, marital status and age in all matters related to employment. The Committee notes in particular that the Act covers both direct and indirect discrimination on the basis of the abovementioned grounds (section 4(3)) and considers sexual harassment to constitute unlawful discrimination based on sex (section 8). Furthermore, the Act also prohibits discrimination on the part of partnerships, trade unions, and employment agencies (Part V), as well as discrimination with regards to goods and services.

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