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Repetition The Committee notes the observations submitted by the General Union of Workers (UGT) dated 27 September 2011, received together with the Government’s report, that refer to the improvements in the implementation of the Convention as well as to the need to adopt the necessary regulations for the implementation of the legislation concerning parental leave that will also benefit male workers. General implementation of the Convention. The Committee notes the various laws and resolutions that refer to reconciliation of work and family responsibilities adopted by the Government since its last report, including a revision of the Labour Code in 2009 with respect to parental leave, and the adoption of the National Plan for Equality, Citizenship and Gender IV (2011–13). The Committee further notes that in its report, the Government indicates that from the beginning of 2010 to May 2011 the Commission for Equality at Work (CITE) had dealt with two complaints and had issued 86 opinions concerning the reconciliation of work and family responsibilities. The Government also refers to the visits carried out by the labour inspectors to the workplaces and the sanctions imposed. The Committee also notes the judicial decisions adopted in relation to the principle of the Convention. The Committee further notes the austerity measures adopted by the Government in order to address the economic situation. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the concrete measures and provisions adopted by the Government relevant to the implementation of the Convention, as well as on the complaints submitted on alleged discrimination on the basis of family situation (as provided for in the Labour Code) and their outcome. The Committee further requests the Government to provide information on the number and nature of infringements recorded by the labour inspectorate concerning the implementation of provisions related to the application of the Convention. Please also provide information on the impact of the austerity measures recently adopted on the implementation of the Convention. Article 3 of the Convention. National policy. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that measures have been taken to ensure that childcare facilities are available for at least eight hours every day. The Government also refers to the National Plan for Equality III (2007–11) in the framework of which the Portuguese Association for Ethics in Business has elaborated a directive on family responsible organizations for the promotion of reconciliation of work and family responsibilities. The National Plan for Equality IV (2011–13), currently in operation, has the objective of mobilizing public and private entities for the implementation of equity plans that will ensure the reconciliation of work and family responsibilities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the implementation of the National Plan for Equality, in particular with respect to specific measures adopted with a view to assisting male and female workers to balance their work and family responsibilities, and the concrete impact of such measures, including the number and nature of equity plans adopted and their results. Article 4. Leave entitlements equality. The Committee notes the adoption of Act 7/2009 approving the revision of the Labour Code, namely with respect to parental leave. The Committee notes that sections 40–42 of the new Code encourage the sharing of parental leave between mother and father beyond the first six weeks following childbirth; the period of leave is extended by 30 days if it is shared between the mother and the father. Moreover, the initial leave of five days, granted to fathers at the moment of childbirth, has been extended to ten days and an additional ten days are granted to the father if leave is taken at the same time as the mother. In case of adoption, parental leave is equal to that of natural birth. Furthermore, while the working time is maintained, greater flexibility is possible through collective and individual negotiation. The Government provides information on the number of subsidies granted to female and male workers in the framework of the parental leave provisions and further indicates that in 2010, the labour inspectorate issued nine warnings and imposed 25 fines for non-respect of parental leave provisions. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken in relation to the promotion of childcare leave. The Committee further requests the Government to provide statistics on the number of men and women, both in the public and private sectors, that have used the parental leave as well as information on the number of infringements registered by the labour inspectorate of the provisions of the Labour Code concerning parental leave. Please also provide information on flexible working time arrangements established through collective bargaining. Article 5. Childcare and family services and facilities. The Government indicates that the Programme for the Improvement of the Social Equipment (PARES) has carried out several projects involving the establishment of 185 childcare facilities (crèches) as well as home support services, residential homes and other facilities for workers with family responsibilities. The Government indicates that the rate of coverage of childcare facilities has increased from 26.2 per cent in 2004 to 34.4 per cent in 2010. The Government further indicates that in the framework of the Programme for Integrated Support for Older Persons (PAII) a project for home support services, training and leisure for older dependent people has been developed. In addition, the national network for integrated and continued care, established in 2006, takes care of dependent persons either through in-patient institutions, ambulatory services, homecare or hospitals. The Government provides information on the establishments already created or refurbished (4,915 childcare places and 5,074 places for older persons) and those planned for the future. The objective of these measures is, according to the Government, to increase the autonomy of those to whom the measures are addressed and to help families to reconcile work and family responsibilities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to take account of the needs of workers with family responsibilities in community planning as well as on the number and nature of the community childcare and family services and facilities created and the number of workers with family responsibilities that have benefited from these facilities. Article 6. Information and education. The Government indicates that in the framework of the National Plan for Equality II (2003–06) the Commission for Equality and for the Rights of the Women edited and distributed information brochures and organized several other awareness-raising activities. The Committee further notes that the “Equality is Quality” prize continues to be distributed among those public and private enterprises that promote equality between men and women and adopt effective measures against discrimination. Moreover, between 2006–09 the Social Dialogue and Equality in the Enterprise project was carried out by the social partners to provide assistance to those enterprises that fight against discrimination, providing a set of solutions for those enterprises interested in the integration of equality and the reconciliation of family and work responsibilities in their policies and agenda. The Committee also notes that several workshops were organized on issues related to equality. It further notes that the CITE provides information on non-discrimination and reconciliation of work and family responsibilities to the public in general and also to the social partners to assist them in the negotiating process. Please continue to provide updated information on the measures taken to engender broader public understanding of the principle of equality for male and female workers and of the problems of workers with family responsibilities as well as on the impact of these measures. Please also indicate whether the Social Dialogue and Equality in the Enterprise project has been continued and what has been its impact. Article 7. Integration in the labour market . … The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that section 30(3) of the Labour Code provides that priority should be given in the access to training to workers after parental leave or in the case of a single parent family. The Government also refers to diverse programmes addressed for the reintegration of workers in the labour market in its report under the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of section 30(3) of the Labour Code with respect to workers after parental leave and its impact in practice. Please also provide information on any other measures designed to enable workers with family responsibilities to become and remain integrated or to re-enter the labour force following parental leave and the obstacles encountered, particularly taking into account the austerity measures recently adopted. Article 11. Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that within the framework of the Social Dialogue and Equality in the Enterprise project carried out by the social partners, mentioned above, a self-evaluation guide was elaborated which was used by the CITE in 2009 to undertake a gender evaluation in three public enterprises. The Committee further notes the Code of Good Practice for companies to assist reconciling work and family life prepared for the CITE. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the results of any measures adopted in collaboration with the social partners in order to help male and female workers to balance their work and family responsibilities. Please also provide concrete information on how the enterprises implement the Code of Good Practice and its impact on workers with family responsibilities.
The Committee welcomes the Government’s detailed report and attached documentation received together with the communication of the General Union of Workers (UGT) on 20 July 2006.
1. Legislative developments. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of the new Labour Code in 2003, which provides that all workers have the right to equal opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation and that workers and job candidates may neither be advantaged nor disadvantaged because of their family situation (section 22). The Code further prohibits employers from discriminating against workers directly or indirectly based on a number of grounds including family situation (section 23(1)). Noting the communication from the UGT asserting that family responsibilities continue to have a bearing on the recruitment of workers and that women in particular are discriminated against in employment and occupation based on their family situation, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on the application of these provisions of the Labour Code, in particular on the number and outcome of cases brought alleging discrimination on the basis of family situation. Noting the Government’s indication in its report to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women that the powers of the General Inspectorate of Labour have been enhanced to inspect, identify and punish discrimination (CEDAW/C/PRT/6, paragraph 206), the Committee asks the Government to indicate how the inspectorate monitors and enforces the above provisions in practice, and to provide statistics on the number and nature of infringements recorded relevant to the application of the Convention.
2. Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee notes the adoption of the National Plan for Equality II (2003–06), which is reported to include a variety of equality measures for men and women in employment and occupation to address several issues including the reconciliation of work and family life. It asks the Government to indicate in its next report the specific measures taken under this National Plan and their impact in assisting male and female workers to balance their work and family responsibilities.
3. Article 4. Childcare leave. The Committee notes that Act No. 142/99 of 31 August amended the Act on maternity and paternity leave (Act No. 4/84 of 5 April) establishing new childcare leave rights for male and female workers. In this respect, the Committee notes from the Government’s statistics that since the amendments were adopted, the number of men taking advantage of the 15-day period of subsidized paternity leave has increased dramatically from 146 men in 2000 to 32,945 men in 2005. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the development and promotion of childcare leave as well as statistics on the number of men and women in both the public and private sectors taking advantage of such arrangements. Noting that a violation of the standards provided for in the Act on maternity and paternity leave is considered to be a serious infringement, the Government is further asked to indicate the number and outcome of such infringements registered by the General Inspectorate of Labour. Please also include information on parental leave provisions negotiated between workers’ organizations and employers or their organizations in the context of collective bargaining.
4. The Committee recalls its previous comments on the issue of workers with responsibilities for older dependants and the limited attention paid by private enterprises to this matter despite the growing need identified by the Commission for Equality at Work and Employment (CITE) for innovative measures to assist families that care for older dependants. In this context, the Committee notes the Government’s further information on its Programme for Integrated Support for Older Persons (PAII). Noting that the number of elderly participants involved in this programme is relatively small, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on whether the projects developed under the PAII will be extended and to indicate what measures are planned or in place to raise awareness among both employees and employers about this issue, particularly in the private sector.
5. Article 5(b). Community services. The Committee welcomes the statistics provided by the Government on the number of care facilities available for infants and children, elderly people and the disabled showing overall capacity and the number of current users. The Government indicates that efforts are being made to increase capacity, particularly for those services whose usage rate is at 100 per cent. In this context, the Committee notes the Programme for the Extension of the Network of Social Facilities (PARES) which was set up in 2006 to support the development and consolidation of the social facilities network. It notes that this initiative has led to the creation of new facilities for the abovementioned groups, giving priority to geographic areas with low coverage. The Committee asks the Government to continue providing information on the development of community services to assist workers in balancing their work and family responsibilities and to indicate the results achieved under PARES in this regard.
6. Article 6. Awareness raising. In its communication, the UGT considers that raising awareness among the population on the issue of balancing work with family responsibilities is of vital importance. In this respect, the Committee notes the work of the CITE to promote equality of men and women in work through initiatives such as the Equality is Quality Prize along with gender equality training activities that address the reconciliation of the work and family responsibilities of men and women. The Committee asks the Government to continue providing information on the measures taken to engender broader public understanding of the principle of equality for men and women workers and of the problems of workers with family responsibilities, and to report on the impact of these measures.
7. Article 11. Participation of employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes the many initiatives to encourage the participation of employers’ and workers’ organizations in promoting the application of the Convention. It notes in particular the project entitled “Promoting reconciliation in enterprise” from 2001 to 2004 during which period 20 enterprises were studied with the aim of improving working conditions for workers with family responsibilities. It further notes the preparation of a code of good practice for companies to assist reconciling work and family life along with the establishment of the Observatory for Equal Opportunities in Collective Bargaining where the social partners have been involved in discussions on gender equality in collective agreements, specifically in the teaching, canned fish and textile sectors. In this respect, the Committee recalls the Government’s recent report on the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111), referring to activities under the National Plan for Equality to promote equality plans and gender equality incentives in the private sector. The Committee welcomes these efforts and asks the Government to provide detailed information on the results achieved and how they have contributed to securing conditions of employment that allow men and women workers to balance their work and family responsibilities. Please also provide a copy of the code of good practice and indicate what further activities are planned or in place to involve the social partners in the application of the Convention.
8. Reintegration of workers following maternity leave. With regard to the measures taken to enable workers with family responsibilities to freely choose their jobs and to re-enter the labour force after an absence due to those responsibilities, the Committee notes the Government’s reference to its report under the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) received by the Office on 4 August 2006. It notes from this report the active measures described by the Government in the context of its employment policy to increase the number of women in employment, in part by reducing inequalities arising from the difficulties that women and men face in balancing work and family responsibilities. It further notes from the Government’s report on Convention No. 156 the reference to measures adopted by the CITE to promote gender equality in employment particularly with respect to equal opportunity for workers with professional and family responsibilities. Noting that the Government’s report does not contain information as requested in its previous comment on the results of the 1999 pilot project providing vocational training for workers who have faced problems in accessing other available training, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the outcome of this project and whether any other specific initiatives are planned or in place such as the establishment of vocational training facilities, paid educational leave, vocational guidance, counselling or information and placement services for both men and women workers who have left the workplace temporarily due to family responsibilities.
The Committee notes with interest the information contained in the Government's detailed report and attached documentation including the court decision and the Commission for Equality at Work and Employment (CITE) material.
1. Articles 3 and 4 of the Convention. Further to its observation, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply information in its next report on the manner in which the new constitutional and legislative enactments have been implemented.
2. Articles 3 and 4. With reference to its earlier comments, the Committee notes that the stated objectives of the Global Plan for Equal Opportunities include helping workers balance their work and family responsibilities by promoting, together with the social partners, the idea of shared responsibility in reconciling family and professional life. In this connection, the Committee notes with interest the many activities being carried out to raise awareness of the principle of equality of opportunity and treatment in the context of family responsibilities, including training courses in equal opportunities for lawyers and judges and courses for training equal opportunity specialists. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information concerning these activities, particularly those conducted in collaboration with the social partners, to encourage and promote changes in traditional societal attitudes towards the sharing of family responsibilities.
3. Article 5. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest that the Directorate-General of Social Action's inventory of social services reflects a 25 per cent increase from 1993 to 1997 in the number of facilities and services established for the benefit of children and youths, older or disabled persons, those with drug or alcohol abuse problems and families and the community. The number of persons making use of these facilities and services increased by 18 per cent during the same time period. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide information on the services provided to these sectors of the population relevant to the Convention, and requests the Government to indicate what measures it has taken or envisages taking to ensure that the number and type of facilities and services provided correspond to the actual needs of the workers.
4. The Committee notes the results of the 1995 survey conducted by the CITE on "family assistance for older persons: policies and initiatives in enterprises to provide support for older dependents". The Committee notes that the majority of the enterprises surveyed (84.3 per cent) had no specific policies aimed at assisting workers with family responsibilities towards older dependents. A majority of these enterprises did not consider the implementation of such measures to be important and 20 per cent indicated that they did not feel it was their responsibility to adopt these measures. Moreover, 60 per cent of the enterprises surveyed indicated that female workers were absent more often than male workers because of their family responsibilities towards older persons. The Committee notes the CITE's conclusions that, given the ageing of the European population, the increased participation of women in the labour market and increased social security costs, it is necessary to implement innovative measures to assist families in caring for older dependents. In this connection, the Committee notes with interest the Programme for Integrated Support for Older Persons (PAII) established jointly by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in 1994, and whose objectives include the development of support systems for families caring for dependent persons, particularly older dependents. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide information concerning the PAII, as well as on any other measures taken to promote application of the principles of the Convention to men and women workers with family responsibilities towards older persons, including efforts to raise awareness of the need for measures for workers caring for older dependents.
5. Article 7. The Committee notes the pilot project launched in March 1999 to provide vocational training for workers that have faced problems in accessing other available training, including workers that have been unemployed for a prolonged period of time, or who seek to re-enter the job market after a prolonged absence. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the pilot project gives effect to Article 7 of the Convention. It would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide information on all measures taken or contemplated to enable workers with family responsibilities to choose their employment freely as well as to re-enter the labour market after an absence due to family responsibilities.
The Committee notes with interest the Government's detailed report, including the information compiled by the Directorate-General of Social Action and the Commission for Equality at Work and Employment (CITE).
1. The Committee notes with satisfaction the adoption of Act No. 1/97 of 20 September 1997, which amended the Portuguese Constitution and, inter alia, establishes that all workers, regardless of gender, have the right for work to be organized in such a way as to assist them to reconcile their professional and family responsibilities (Constitutional article 59(1)(b)) and that mothers and fathers should be granted the right to leave from work for reasonable periods, in keeping with the child's interests and the needs of the family unit (Constitutional article 68(4)).
2. The Committee further notes with interest the amendments to Act No. 4/84 incorporating European Economic Council Directive No. 92/85/EEC into the national legislation (Act No. 17/95 of 9 June 1995) and extending maternity leave as well as special childcare leave.
3. The Committee is addressing a request directly to the Government on other points.
Referring to its previous direct request, the Committee notes with interest the information contained in the report and documentation supplied by the Government.
1. The Committee notes from the inventory of social services compiled by the Directorate-General of Social Action that an increased number of facilities has been established for the benefit of children, older or invalid persons, those with drug or alcohol dependence and families. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that the number and nature of such services correspond to the needs of the communities.
2. The Committee has also noted with interest the survey carried out by the Commission for Equality at Work and Employment (CITE) on the application of the Act concerning the Protection of Maternity and Paternity (Act No. 4/84 of April 1984), which will be used as a basis for a study to be undertaken by the CITE, in collaboration with other bodies of the Ministry of Employment and Social Security, on the question of "family assistance for older persons: policies and initiatives in enterprises to provide support for older dependants". The Committee requests the Government to furnish information on the results of this survey together with details on any action taken to further promote the objectives of the Convention with regard to workers with responsibilities for older dependants.
3. The Committee notes with interest the vigorous campaign being carried out by the CITE to increase awareness and provide information concerning equality in employment. It hopes that the Government will continue these activities with a view to encouraging a change in the traditional attitudes towards the sharing of family responsibilities.
4. With respect to measures to stimulate the employment of workers with family responsibilities under Articles 4 and 7 of the Convention, the Committee notes the collaboration of CITE with the World Trade Centre in a programme to increase the integration of women into the labour market, undertaken within the framework of the NOW Initiative of the Commission of the European Communities which is aimed at giving women the necessary training and support to create and manage their own small businesses. It also notes with interest the inclusion of material on equality in vocational guidance and training programmes. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on positive measures to encourage the entry or re-entry into the labour market of workers with family responsibilities.
5. Having noted the texts of court decisions relating to the application of the Convention, the Committee requests the Government to continue to furnish any other such material that indicates the practical way in which effect is given to the Convention.
1. The Committee notes with interest, from the Government's two first reports, that the Government has adopted a policy to enable persons with family responsibilities who are engaged or wish to engage in employment to exercise their right to do so without being subject to discrimination and without conflict between their employment and family responsibilities, as called for by Article 3 of the Convention. This policy is embodied mainly in articles 36(3), 67 and 68 of the Constitution and in the legislation on equality of opportunity and treatment for men and women, and on the protection of maternity and paternity.
2. The Committee requests the Government, in its next report, to supply further information on the practical application of the above-mentioned policy. In particular, please indicate:
(a)whether positive measures have been taken to stimulate the employment of workers with family responsibilities (Article 4 of the Convention);
(b)the measures taken to take account of the needs of workers with family responsibilities in community planning (Article 5(a) of the Convention);
(c)the measures taken to ensure that the number and the nature of day-care facilities for children of workers correspond to the needs, taking into account that the Government stated in its 1985 report to the Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (UN doc. CEDAW/C/5/Add.21/Corr.1) that the lack of support structures and care facilities was still a very severe problem in Portugal (Article 5(b) of the Convention);
(d)the activities carried out by bodies such as the Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission on Equality in Employment and Occupation to engender a broader public understanding of the principle of equality of opportunity and treatment for men and women workers (Article 6 of the Convention);
(e)the practical measures taken in the field of vocational guidance and training to enable workers with family responsibilities to become and remain integrated in the labour force (Article 7 of the Convention); and
(f)any court decisions that could illustrate that family responsibilities do not constitute a valid reason for termination of employment (Article 8 of the Convention).