Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1989, published 76th ILC session (1989)

1. In its previous direct request, the Committee referred to section 3 of the General Labour Act under which the number of women employees shall not exceed 45 per cent in any enterprise or establishment which, owing to its nature, does not require a higher percentage of women employees, and requested the Government to indicate the types of enterprise or establishment which, owing to their nature, do not require women employees.

The Committee takes note of the information supplied by the Government concerning the updating of the General Labour Act and its alignment with the international Conventions ratified by Bolivia, to the effect that the preliminary draft of the new Act is to be completed by 31 October next.

The Committee recalls that under Article 3(c) of the Convention, each Member for which this Convention is in force undertakes to repeal any statutory provisions which are inconsistent with the policy of equal opportunity and treatment laid down by the Convention. The provision contained in section 3 of the General Labour Act as it now stands limits the access of women to employment, thereby impairing equality of opportunity and treatment on the basis of sex which is one of the criteria in the definition of discrimination contained in Article 1(a) of the Convention.

The Committee hopes that the revised General Labour Act will make it possible to ensure that the Convention is respected with regard to equality for men and women in respect of access to employment and occupation.

The Commttee requests the Government to continue providing information on this matter.

2. The Committee notes that the Government's report contains no information on the procedures and measures to ensure equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of appointment and promotion in the public service (Article 3(d) of the Convention), requested by the Committee in previous comments. It therefore repeats its request to the Government to report on this matter and to supply a copy of the Administrative Careers Act.