Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report contains no reply to 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 the information provided in the Government’s report. It notes that no measures have been taken at the national level to adopt the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Model Laws on Equal Opportunity and Treatment in Employment and Occupation and asks the Government to keep it informed on any future steps to do so. It also asks the Government to provide information on any other measures taken to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment, including legislative changes, adoption of policies and national plans of action, implementation of programmes, and awareness-raising activities. Please also include any national reports prepared for Beijing +5 and the Follow-up to the Social Summit.

2. Regarding the participation of Caribs and other minorities in the labour market, the Committee notes from the Government’s report that there is no statistical information available as Caribs and other minorities enjoy the same privileges as any other Dominicans, and thus are not identified as a separate category by the national statistical office. It notes the initiative to establish a labour market information system, with the assistance of the United States Department of Labor, and asks the Government to provide information on any steps taken to include information on the participation of Caribs and other minorities in the labour market, including in the civil service and teaching profession, in this new database.

3. The Committee notes that the courses at the youth training centres are in those fields where there is a shortage of skilled workers in the private sector, and that a number of persons have been employed in the informatics sector. Noting that no figures are as yet available on the number of persons employed, the Committee asks the Government to provide statistical information disaggregated as to number of men and women who have benefited from the training courses and been gainfully employed as a result. It also asks for information regarding the number of youth from Carib and other minority groups who have availed of this opportunity.

4. The Committee notes that no information is available on any proceedings regarding the right of persons suspected or charged under sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the State Security Act, 1984, and asks the Government to keep it informed in future reports on any proceedings under the Act which relate to the application of Article 4 of the Convention.

5. The Committee notes that no measures have been taken, in consultation with the employers’ and workers’ organizations, to promote the acceptance and observance of the national policy designed to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation, and asks the Government to consider taking such measures in future and to provide such information in future reports.