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

1. Sexual harassment. The Committee notes the indication in the Government’s report that the State Secretariat for Family Affairs, Childhood and Persons with Disabilities is organizing information meetings on sexual harassment for various target groups. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on these and other awareness-raising activities concerning sexual harassment. In the absence of any information in reply to previous comments, the Committee reiterates its requests to the Government to:

(a)   indicate in its next report any court decisions that have applied section 503‑1 of the Penal Code or section 40 of the Labour Code;

(b)   indicate the legal provisions that apply when the perpetrator of sexual harassment is not the employer or the head of the enterprise or establishment – a situation that would be covered by section 40 of the Labour Code – but rather an employee;

(c)   provide information on any steps taken to seek the cooperation of workers’ and employers’ organizations with a view to strengthening existing legal provisions on sexual harassment and to developing practical measures to prevent and eliminate such unacceptable behaviour.

2. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Centre for Information, Documentation and Studies on Women is currently establishing a database bringing together relevant literature, statistical information, and legislation. The Committee hopes that this tool will also include data concerning women’s situation in respect of employment and occupation, as the analysis of such data is an essential basis for defining policies to promote gender equality at work and assessing their impact. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the Centre’s activities to promote gender equality at work, including on the progress made in collecting and analysing statistical information. It also requests the Government to continue to provide comparable statistical data on the labour force participation of men and women.

3. The Committee notes from the Government’s report concerning the Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) that a national seminar was held in July 2006 to assist in the drafting of legislation covering domestic workers, as envisaged under section 4 of the Labour Code. Recalling that domestic workers, who are predominantly women, are particularly vulnerable to discrimination, the Committee hopes that the future legislation will provide for the principle of equality and provide protection from discrimination on the grounds of sex and other grounds, in accordance with Convention No. 111. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on the progress made in enacting the legislation on domestic workers.

4. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the progress made in addressing illiteracy among women and girls indicating that while the female illiteracy rate is decreasing, it still remains very high. Between 1998 and 2004, the female illiteracy rate decreased from 61.9 per cent to 54.7 per cent. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the progress made in achieving equal access of men and women to education at all levels, including university education and vocational training. Please also provide information on the participation of men and women in the various areas of study and training.