Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

The Committee notes that the Government's report contains no reply to its previous comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes with interest the document attached to the report of the Government on "An assessment of the status of women in Barbados", prepared under the Bureau of Women's Affairs, which contains a review of the situation of women, including educational and employment aspects, and a number of recommendations to improve and promote the status of women in these areas, among others, with comment on the level of implementation of the recommendations. In particular, the Committee notes from the assessment that few women are employed in the highest management and decision-making levels in the public or private sector; they are mostly employed in traditional occupations and they constitute a higher percentage of the unemployed. The report points out, however, that some changes have occurred and where the required professional and technical skills are present, women have been able to move into non-traditional areas and positions of authority. In light of the foregoing and with reference to its previous comments concerning the broadening of school curricula and the extension of vocational guidance facilities, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures undertaken to increase the educational and training level of girls and women in order to promote effective equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation.

2. With reference to its previous comments concerning the inclusion in public contracts of a clause prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, the Committee notes from the Government's reply that as in previous years, no progress has been made in this area but that it remains under review. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of developments in this process.

3. With reference to its previous comments concerning the removal of all existing discriminatory rules and provisions, the Committee notes that no information was provided by the Government in its report. It can only stress the importance of taking such action, and in this light makes specific reference to the requirements of Article 3(c) of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the steps taken or contemplated to identify and remove all existing discriminatory rules and provisions.

4. Recalling the Government's previous statement that the National Commission on the Status of Women was to be empowered, inter alia, to investigate complaints of discrimination against women, the Committee once again requests the Government to include in its next report full information on the activities of the National Commission, including statistics on the number and nature of complaints brought before this Commission and any reports or publications produced under this body.