Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

1.  The Committee notes the adoption on 1 December 1998 of the Act on Equal Opportunities, which entered into force on 1 March 1999. The Committee notes with satisfaction that section 5(4) of the Act expresses the principle of the Convention, establishing that, when implementing equal rights for women and men at the workplace, employers must provide equal remuneration for work of equal value. The Committee further notes that section 6(1) of the Act establishes a presumption of discrimination on the part of the employer if, because of the person’s sex, the employer applies to an employee less (more) favourable terms of employment or payment for work.

2.  Section 10 of the Act on Equal Opportunities establishes the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman and charges the Ombudsman with the implementation of the Act. The Committee notes that any person shall have the right to file a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman concerning the violation of equal rights (section 18(1) of the Act). The Committee notes that the Ombudsman is required to submit an annual report to the Seimas concerning the implementation of the Act and the activities of the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman, as well as to submit recommendations to state government and national administration institutions on the revision of legal acts and the policy priorities for the implementation of equal rights (sections 12(2) and 27 of the Act). The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply a copy of the Ombudsman’s report, as well as information on the number of equal pay complaints filed with the Ombudsman during the reporting period, the action taken and the outcome.