Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

1. The Committee notes the Government's report and the annexes thereto, and observes that section 143 of the Labour Code to which the Government refers provides that equal wages shall be paid for equal work performed in the same job, with the same working time and under equal conditions of efficiency. It also notes that the Supreme Court, in its judgement of 10 October 1980, interpreted section 143 of the Labour Code to the effect that in individual cases there is a strict requirement to show fully the equality of conditions of efficiency between workers who receive different wages, though working in the same enterprise and performing the same job with the same working time. The Committee wishes to point out that under the Convention the principle of equal remuneration applies not only to equal or similar work but also to work of a different nature but of an equal value, and refers in this respect to paragraphs 20 to 23 and 52 to 70 of its 1986 General Survey on Equal Remuneration. The Committee requests the Government to include in its next report information on how the principle of equal remuneration in the meaning of the Convention is applied to men and women workers who perform in practice jobs of a different nature but of equal value.

2. The Committee notes that remuneration is generally agreed upon in collective agreements, and that a minimum wage applicable to all workers is fixed by the Government through the National Council on Salaries. It also notes from the Government's report that the great majority of large enterprises have established job evaluation systems. The Committee requests the Government to include in its next report detailed information on the methods used for the establishment of these job evaluation systems, as well as information on how the principle of equal remuneration is applied in practice to men and women workers who are paid above the minimum wage level. In that respect, the Committee asks the Government to communicate copies of collective agreements concluded in sectors of activity that employ a large number of women workers.

3. With regard to the public sector, the Committee requests the Government to include in its next report detailed information on the application of the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value to men and women workers in that sector, including descriptions of job evaluation systems used.

4. The Committee notes that the Labour Department is responsible for supervising and ensuring the application of the provisions of the Convention; it has noted the statistics attached to the Government's 1987 report. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide it with information on the measures taken by the Labour Department to promote the application of the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value.

5. The Committee notes that the most representative employers' and workers' organisations form part of the National Wages Council, permitting them to co-operate in the decision-making process with regard to salaries. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the progress achieved in giving effect to the provisions of the Convention through co-operation with employers' and workers' organisations.