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

1. Collective agreements. The Committee recalls its previous comments concerning wage differentials contained in some collective agreements between workers and public sector employers, such as the Port-of-Spain City Corporation, and the San Fernando City Corporation, and regional corporations, which were based on the ground of sex rather than on criteria relating to the work performed. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that the job title “female labourer” was being removed. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that the report of the Joint Working Party on Reclassification and regarding all the jobs in the bargaining unit represented by the National Union of Government and Federated Workers makes reference to ensuring that the new grading structure is free from gender bias. The Committee asks the Government to provide a copy of the report of the Joint Working Party, which was not attached to the Government’s report, and to provide information on the progress made in removing sex discriminatory provisions from collective agreements, and the resulting impact on the gender wage gap of those persons covered by such collective agreements.

2. Promotional measures. The Committee notes with interest the information provided concerning the awareness-raising programmes carried out by the Employers’ Consultative Association which, inter alia, sensitized interested parties on the concept of equal remuneration for work of equal value. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on any awareness-raising and training activities carried out, including initiatives by workers’ and employers’ organizations, to promote a better understanding and application of the Convention’s principle, including through the use of objective job evaluation methods.

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