Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2002, publiée 91ème session CIT (2003)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report and the comments submitted by the Lanka Jathika Estate Workers’ Union on 5 June 2001 and the comments of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon attached to the Government’s report.

1. With respect to the existence of different wage rates for men and women in the tobacco trade and different time/piece-rates for men and women in the cinnamon trade, the Committee notes that the Government continues to repeat its previous statement that the necessary action will be taken by the Commissioner of Labour. It also notes the communication by the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, indicating that the principle of equal remuneration is generally respected and that the wages boards for the cinnamon and tobacco trades have remained inactive since 1980; therefore, the wage rates established by these boards are no longer in practice. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the current wage rates in the tobacco and cinnamon trades for men and women, and to continue to provide full information on all measures taken or contemplated to eliminate wage differentials between men and women in these trades.

2. Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that, while the National Labour Advisory Council is having monthly meetings, it has not deliberated the issue of equal pay for at least seven years. It also notes that the Lanka Jathika Estate Workers’ Union is again reiterating its earlier comments regarding non-compliance with Article 4 of the Convention by the Government. The Committee urges the Government to consider more active measures to involve the workers’ and employers’ organizations in the implementation of the provisions of the Convention, including awareness raising of the social partners regarding their vital contribution to the effective implementation of the principle of equal remuneration for women and men for work of equal value. It asks the Government to provide information, in its next report, on the particular steps taken in this regard.

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