Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

Article 2 of the Convention. Application of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value. Referring to its previous comments regarding the project PAMODEC/MALI (Promotional project to apply principles and fundamental rights at work) implemented with ILO assistance, the Committee notes that following this project judges and lawyers in Mali have committed themselves to take the Convention into account in their work, and a network of trainers on rights at work, including equal remuneration, has been established. Proposals for the amendment of legal provisions which are contrary to the spirit of the Convention have been prepared. Further, enterprises have embraced gender-sensitive approaches. The Committee asks the Government to provide the following: (i) more detailed information on the content of the legislative amendments being proposed and the activities of the network of trainers to promote the Convention; (ii) examples of decisions issued by the judicial and administrative authorities applying the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value; (iii) detailed information on the implementation of the action plan to promote equal remuneration adopted in 2001 and the progress made in reducing the gender pay gap between men and women, including statistical information on the earnings of men and women according to industry and occupation; (iv) examples of collective agreements and enterprise agreements which make reference to the Convention’s principle, which were not attached to the Government’s report, as indicated.

Article 3. Objective job evaluation. The Committee notes that according to a study undertaken by the World Bank entitled “Strategic evaluation of the challenges in the area of gender” the work performed by women is undervalued. The Committee notes that the Government again indicates that it wishes to seek technical assistance from the ILO on the issue of objective job evaluation. The Committee asks the Government to take the steps necessary to promote the development and use of methods for the objective evaluation of jobs, taking into account the indications given in the 2006 general observation, and to seek the ILO’s assistance in this regard. The Committee also asks the Government to keep the Office informed of any further developments in this regard and to provide a copy of the “Strategic evaluation of the challenges in the area of gender”.

Practical application. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on any activities of the labour inspectorate, relating to the application of the principle of the Convention including indications as to the violations identified, sanctions imposed and remedies granted. The Committee also asks the Government to indicate whether any measures have been taken or envisaged to enhance the capacity of labour inspectors to identify and address issues relating to the application of the Convention.