Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

The Committee notes the comments of the Inter-Union Assembly of Workers – National Convention of Workers (PIT-CNT), sent with the Government’s report and received on 23 October 2006.

Wage boards. The Committee notes the PIT-CNT’s indication that wage board decrees still contain discriminatory criteria, such as the female form of names for certain activities (oficial cortadora (cutter), mucama (maid), secretaria (secretary), lavandera (washerwoman), operaria volante (temporary manual worker), etc.) and that 85 per cent of these decrees contain no general clauses on equality. The PIT-CNT indicates that these instruments are those that are most often and directly used by workers, in particular at trade union level, and that the incorporation into such decrees of the principle set forth in the Convention would constitute an important means of dissemination and awareness raising. Finally, it indicates that women are under-represented on the wage boards mentioned. The Committee asks the Government to provide information regarding any measures taken to address the issues raised by the PIT-CNT. It also asks the Government to provide information on the manner in which it collaborates with employers’ and workers’ organizations so as to ensure that the principle set forth in the Convention is applied. It also asks the Government to explain the interrelationship between the Tripartite Commission on Equality of Opportunity and Treatment in Employment and the wage boards.

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