Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

1. The Committee recalls its previous request to the Government to provide information on the implementation and impact on pay differentials of the project entitled “Equal pay – challenge for democratic and economic development” to which the Government referred previously. The Committee asks the Government to provide this information in its next report.

2. Practical application. The Committee notes that the National Action Plan for Equality of Women and Men of 2006 identifies the reduction of the gender pay gap as an explicit objective. One measure envisaged under the Plan is an in-depth study of the causes of the gender wage gap. Further, the holding of training courses on gender-neutral job evaluation, in cooperation with workers’ and employers’ organizations, is envisaged. The Committee asks the Government to provide detailed information an the concrete action taken under the National Action Plan to promote equal remuneration for men and women, including concerning the results of the abovementioned study and the training courses on job evaluation. Please indicate any other measures taken to promote the development and use of analytical job evaluation methods, particularly in the private sector.

3. Collective agreements. Recalling that under the labour legislation there is an obligation to negotiate equality plans with regard to employment and remuneration for framework agreements (section 162-12, paragraph 4(4), of the Labour Code), the Committee notes the Government’s indication that no such agreement has been concluded so far. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its future reports on any equality plans developed through collective bargaining, indicating how these plans address gender pay differentials. Please provide information on any other measures taken or envisaged to seek the cooperation of workers’ and employers’ organizations with a view to giving effect to the provisions of the Convention.

4. Statistical information. The Committee notes from the Government’s fifth periodic report under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women that the wage gap between men and women (average gross hourly earnings) increased from 13.9 per cent in 2003 to 14.3 per cent in 2005 (CEDAW/C7LUX/5, 8 May 2006, paragraph 194). The Committee asks the Government to provide in its next report statistical information concerning the earnings of men and women that would enable the Committee to assess the progress made in eliminating the gender wage gap.