Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Protection of migrant workers against discrimination based on sex, race, colour and national extraction. The Committee notes Regulation No. 90/2009 of 1 October 2009 regarding domestic workers, cooks, gardeners and similar workers, issued pursuant to section 3(b) of Labour Code No. 8/1996, as amended by Act No. 48/2008. It notes that the Regulation appears to cover primarily foreign workers, and provides for a written contract of employment (section 3), a mechanism to submit complaints to the Ministry of Labour and visits by labour inspectors for complaints regarding accommodation. The Regulation also provides for the establishment of a “Non-Jordanian Domestic Worker Committee” (section 9). The Committee however also notes that section 5(a)(5) requires the worker to refrain from leaving the house without permission of the householder, while section 5(c) provides that if the worker “runs away without good cause attributable to the householder”, the worker shall cover all financial obligations set forth under the signed contract of employment, in addition to the repatriation costs. The Committee considers that such provisions place the workers concerned in a situation of increased vulnerability to discrimination and abuse, as a result of disproportionate power exercised by the employer over the worker. The Committee requests the Government to provide information, including statistics disaggregated by sex and origin, on the practical application of Regulation No. 90/2009. In this regard, information should include the number and nature of any complaints by workers and householders addressed to the Ministry of Labour, any labour inspection visits carried out, sanctions and fines imposed on employers and workers for non-compliance, and remedies provided. With respect to section 5(a)(5) and section 5(c), please indicate how the concern of reducing the migrant workers’ dependency on the employer is effectively addressed. Please also provide information on the mandate of the Non‑Jordanian Domestic Worker Committee.

Sexual harassment. The Committees notes the Government’s indication that the amendments to the Labour Code (Act No. 48 of 2008), in particular section 29 (providing for sanctions in the case of sexual assault by the employer), and the new Civil Service Statute No. 30/2007, in particular section 171(a), adequately protect against sexual harassment at work. According to the Government, sexual harassment in the public service is deemed to be one of the crimes constituting an offence against honour (and punishable under section 171(a)). Chapter XVII of the new Civil Service Statute entitles an employee to file an administrative grievance if she/he is subjected to any act violating the ethics of public office, or breaching the principles of justice and fairness, or is subjected to pressure or coercion or unlawful demand by any employee, whether a chief, colleague or subordinate, or any action which would constitute a violation of the employee’s integrity. Chapter XVII would allow an employee who is subject to sexual harassment in the work environment to file a grievance with the administration. While noting these explanations, the Committee must observe that without a clear definition and prohibition of sexual harassment (quid pro quo and hostile environment) in the Labour Code and the Civil Service Statute, it remains doubtful whether the legislation is effectively addressing all forms of sexual harassment. The Committee strongly encourages the Government to include a clear definition of what constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace, taking into account all elements set out in the general observation of 2002 on this Convention. It also asks the Government to take appropriate measures to raise awareness of and prevent and protect against sexual harassment in the workplace. Please provide information on the number and nature of complaints concerning sexual harassment dealt with by the Department of Family Protection as well as any court cases relating to sexual harassment based on the provisions of the abovementioned legislation.

Restrictions on the employment of women. Recalling the Ordinance of 1997 issued under section 69 of the Labour Code concerning restrictions on women’s employment, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Committee established to amend the Ordinance is still meeting. The Committee asks the Government to take the necessary steps so that the review of the relevant provisions and any subsequent amendments take into account the need to ensure that protective measures are strictly limited to protecting maternity, and that those provisions aimed at protecting women because of their sex or gender, based on stereotyped assumptions, are repealed. It asks the Government to provide information of any progress made in this regard.

Equal access of men and women to vocational training. The Committee recalls its previous comments in which it was encouraged by the efforts by the Government to promote women’s access to vocational training with a view to diversifying their employment opportunities, but had also pointed to the need for continued measures to ensure that the type of training available for women was enabling them to access and compete on an equal footing with men for a wider range of jobs. The Committee notes the statistics provided by the Government on the enrolment of men and women in training programmes for 2006 and 2007 indicating an increase of 18 per cent of female students and a decrease of 9 per cent in male students enrolling in the courses offered. However, no information is provided on the type of training courses offered and on whether these have had a real impact on women’s possibilities to find employment on an equal footing with men as a result of such training. The Committee therefore asks the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that the training available to women is enabling them, de facto, to access a wider range of jobs, and to provide information demonstrating any real progress made in this regard. The Government is also requested to provide detailed statistical data, disaggregated by sex, on the participation of men and women in the different types of training courses offered and on the number of men and women that have found employment as a result of this training.

Practical measures to promote equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women. Further to its observation, and with respect to its previous comments regarding the activities carried out under the National Project on the Employment of Women, the Committee notes the information in the Government’s report about the employment opportunities being created in remote areas. It also notes the statistical information on the number of female graduates and their employment rate, which dates, however, from 2005. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the practical measures taken to encourage women from remote areas to participate in vocational training programmes, including up to date information on the extent to which such training has resulted in these women obtaining and remaining in employment, including in the production branches created in the remote areas. Please also provide information on any measures taken to address stereotypical attitudes pervasive in the labour market and in society more generally, and the outcome of such measures.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Access of women to the civil service. For a number of years, the Committee has been pointing to the persistent occupational segregation of women in the lower categories of the civil service and the slow progress in achieving an equitable balance between men and women, particularly in higher level posts. It has questioned the effectiveness of some of the measures indicated by the Government to address this phenomenon, and has pointed out that where seniority is a determining factor for purposes of promotion into higher level posts, the equitable application of this criterion should not lead to indirect discrimination against female civil servants. Consequently, the Government had been requested to review whether the weight given to the criterion of accumulated knowledge and years of experience to access higher level posts in the civil service has had a discriminatory impact on women’s possibilities to access such posts, and to take more proactive measures to address the occupational gender segregation within the civil service. The Committee notes with regret that the Government continues to affirm that the Civil Service Statute provides women and men with equal opportunities to access all posts without restrictions, without providing further details on any measures taken to review whether the application of the criterion of accumulated years of experience and knowledge is not leading, in practice, to indirect discrimination against women. The Committee wishes to point out that, under the Convention, the Government has the obligation to address both direct and indirect discrimination based on sex, with respect to employment and occupation in the public service. The Committee, therefore, urges the Government to take effective steps to address the occupational gender segregation within the civil service, including the taking of measures to overcome the problem of women having an insufficient number of accumulated years of experience and knowledge, and to promote women to higher level posts. Please also provide detailed and up-to-date statistics on the distribution of male nd female employees in all posts of the civil service.

National policy on equality of opportunity and treatment with respect to other grounds. The Committee notes with regret that the Government once again fails to provide information on the measures taken to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation with respect to grounds other than sex, and to address de facto inequalities which may exist based on race, colour, national extraction, religion, political opinion or social origin with respect to training, employment and conditions of work. The Committee urges the Government to take concrete measures, in accordance with Article 3(a)–(e) of the Convention, to guarantee the effective application of the Convention, in law and in practice, with respect to the grounds of race, colour, national extraction, religion, political opinion and social origin.

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

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

1. Sexual harassment. The Committee recalls its previous comments in which it found that the provisions in the Civil Service Act No. 55 of 2002, the Penal Code and the Labour Code dealing with sexual harassment were unlikely to provide sufficient protection against all forms of sexual harassment in the workplace as outlined in the general observation of 2002 on this Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that draft amendments to the legislative provisions concerning sexual harassment have been submitted to the Council of Ministers, which will include a definition of sexual harassment and provide for sanctions in case of violations. The Committee further notes that the Government is also undertaking awareness-raising and preventative guidance programmes of a more general nature for male and female trainees and that complaints relating to sexual harassment are being forwarded to the Department of Family Protection. The Committee hopes that the draft amendments will address adequately all forms of sexual harassment (i.e. quid pro quo and hostile environment) and asks the Government to provide the texts of the amendments. The Committee also asks the Government to indicate any measures taken or envisaged, in cooperation with the workers’ and employers’ organizations, to raise awareness on and to prevent and protect sexual harassment in the workplace. Please also provide information on the number and nature of complaints concerning sexual harassment dealt with by the Department for Family Protection as well as any court cases based on the provisions of the abovementioned legislation.

2. Restrictions on the employment of women. With respect to its previous comments concerning the Ordinance of 1997 issued under section 69 of the Labour Code concerning certain restrictions on women’s employment, the Committee notes that the information technology sector has been excluded from the sectors in which women are prohibited from working at night. The Committee recalls that special protective measures for women which are based on stereotyped perceptions regarding their capacity and role in society may give rise to violations of the principle of equality of opportunity and treatment. The Committee asks the Government to keep it informed of any further amendments to the Ordinance of 1997 issued under section 69 of the Labour Code. It also asks the Government to regularly review the list of work prohibited to women, so as to ensure that protective measures will be limited to protecting the reproductive capacity of women and that those aimed at protecting women because of their sex or gender, based on stereotyped assumptions, will be repealed. Please keep the Committee informed of any further legislative developments.

3. Practical measures to promote equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women. The Committee notes that under the National Project on the Employment of Women, activities have been carried out to reach out to women in remote areas and to promote their employment opportunities. It notes in particular that employment agreements have been concluded with companies specialized in engaging jobseekers in the different regions, especially in remote areas, and that the Vocational Training Institution has organized awareness-raising campaigns to encourage young women to join vocational training programmes aimed at improving the economic situation of women. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the activities carried out under the National Project on the Employment of Women, and in particular information, including statistics disaggregated by sex, on the results achieved regarding the number of women who have participated in vocational training programmes and who have obtained and remained in employment. Noting the Government’s awareness that attitudes based on stereotypes regarding the suitability of certain jobs for women still prevail, the Government is also requested to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to address stereotypical attitudes pervasive in society and the labour market.

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

1. Access of women to the civil service. The Committee recalls its previous observation in which it expressed concern over the continuing occupational segregation of women in the lower categories of the public service and the slow progress in achieving an equitable balance between men and women in the public service, particularly at higher levels. The Committee notes that the Government submits that by encouraging women to work for longer service periods they will become capable of meeting the established competitive conditions to fill supervisory positions which require an accumulation of knowledge and experience over long years of service. The Committee further notes the Government’s explanations that under the Civil Retirement Act of 1995 women were allowed to leave the civil service early to work in the private sector and as such receive two pensions, one under the Civil Retirement Act and one under the Social Security Act. Female civil servants therefore preferred, after having served the statutory period required for retirement, to leave the civil service to work in the private sector due to the low salaries in comparison with the private sector, especially in the education sector which accounts for 65 per cent of the public service. The Government expects that this phenomenon will disappear since all public service employees are now covered by the Social Security Act. According to the Government, this should reflect positively on the choice of female civil servants to stay in the public service and as such accumulate the years necessary to enjoy a higher degree of competitiveness to access positions at higher levels. The Committee further notes that in 2002, the Government increased the period of service required for going into civil service retirement by five additional years for both men and women, but that this has generated strong disagreement among the national women’s associations. While appreciating the information by the Government on the measures taken, the Committee questions whether these measures effectively address the persistent problem of occupational segregation of men and women in the different occupational categories of the civil service. The Committee also wishes to point out that where seniority is a determining factor for purposes of promotion into higher level posts, the equitable application of this criterion should not lead to indirect discrimination against female civil servants. Moreover, female civil servants whose employment has been interrupted for reasons of maternity or family responsibilities will be penalized to the extent that their seniority in the civil service is curtailed by the period of the interruption. In order to prevent indirect discrimination, it may be necessary to review, in the light of the principle laid down in the Convention, the choice and weighting of the elements to be taken into account in evaluating a civil servant’s possibilities and capabilities in accessing higher level posts. The Committee asks the Government:

(a)   to review whether the weight given to the criterion of accumulated knowledge and years of experience to access higher level posts in the civil service has a discriminatory impact on women’s possibilities to access such posts;

(b)   to take more proactive measures to address the occupational segregation within the civil service, including the taking of measures to overcome the problem of women having an insufficient number of accumulated years of experience and knowledge, and to promote women in higher level posts, and further to provide information on the results achieved; and

(c)   to continue supplying information on the distribution of men and women in all posts of the civil service.

2. Equal access of men and women to vocational training. The Committee recalls its previous comments on the measures taken to improve women’s educational attainment, technical skills and experience and the need to diversify women’s employment opportunities. The Committee notes the extensive information in the Government’s report on the measures taken to increase women’s access to vocational training. It notes in particular the efforts, despite existing stereotypes on women’s “suitability” for certain jobs and occupations, to increase the capacity of vocational training institutes to provide training for women and girls and to promote their participation in a wider range of vocational training courses, including those traditionally offered to male students. The Committee is encouraged by these developments but would still need more concrete information to assess the specific impact of these measures on women’s chances to compete on an equal basis with men for a wider range of employment opportunities, including in higher level positions. The Committee, therefore, asks the Government to continue to take the necessary measures to ensure that the type of training available for women is enabling them de facto to access a wider range of jobs, and to provide information in its next report demonstrating any real progress made in this regard. Such information should include up to date statistics disaggregated by sex on the participation rates of men and women in the various training courses and the number of men and women who have found employment as a result of such training.

3. National policy on equality on other grounds. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Government has always pursued a national policy of equality of opportunity and treatment for all, and that both nationals and non-nationals can join training programmes regardless of race, colour, religion, national extraction, political opinion or social origin. The Committee must once more regret that the information provided in the Government’s report remains very general and vague and does not indicate that any measures are being taken to address discrimination based on grounds other than sex. The Committee reminds the Government that under Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention, the effective application of a national policy requires the implementation of appropriate measures and programmes to promote and correct de facto inequalities which may exist in training, employment and conditions of work. The Committee, therefore, urges the Government to indicate in its next report the concrete measures taken or envisaged, as set out in Article 3(a) to (e) of the Convention, to guarantee the effective application of the Convention with respect to the grounds of race, colour, national extraction, religion, political opinion and social origin.

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

1. Sexual harassment. Referring to its previous request for information on the specific measures taken to prevent and protect against sexual harassment in law or in policy, the Committee notes that section 162 of Civil Service Act No. 55 of 2002 requires the dismissal of an employee if he or she is convicted of a felony or a crime contrary to public morals. The Government further reiterates the relevant provisions in the Penal Code and the Labour Code concerning acts against public morals. The Committee recalls that under the Convention sexual harassment is considered a prohibited form of sex discrimination in employment and occupation, which may require special measures of prevention and protection. While the current legal provisions may be a first step towards greater protection against sexual harassment, the Committee considers that these provisions are unlikely to provide sufficient protection against all forms of sexual harassment as outlined in its general observation of 2002. It, therefore, encourages the Government to examine whether the current provisions are adequately addressing all forms of sexual harassment in the workplace, and to provide information on any court cases based on the abovementioned provisions involving charges of sexual harassment and their outcomes. The Committee also reiterates its request to the Government to provide information on any educational and awareness-raising measures to prevent and protect against sexual harassment in the workplace.

2. Equal access of women to employment and occupation. The Committee notes that the 1997 Ordinance issued by the Minister of Labour under section 69 of the Labour Code prohibiting women from working during certain times and from undertaking certain tasks has not yet been revised or amended. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it will notify the Committee once an amendment has been made, and requests the Government to keep it informed of any legislative developments.

3. Working Women’s Department. The Committee notes the general information provided by the Government on the training and monitoring activities of the Working Women’s Department relating to the National Project for the Employment of Women and Workers in the Manufacturing Industry. It notes that the results from the monitoring activities indicate that the main reasons women leave their employment include marriage, studies, family care, or the objection of parents to regional job mobility, as well as dismissal due to absence or low productivity. The Committee encourages the Government to continue to provide information on the activities of the Working Women’s Department, and requests it to indicate in its next report the specific measures taken, and results achieved, to address the underlying reasons for women leaving employment. It reiterates its request to the Government to provide more detailed information, including statistics, on the specific impact of the National Project on the Employment of Women on improving the economic situation of women in marginalized areas. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information regarding the measures taken or envisaged to address stereotypical attitudes pervasive in society, including any educational or awareness campaigns taking place or envisaged.

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

1. Access of women to the public service. For a number of years, the Committee has requested the Government to take specific measures with respect to its recruitment and training policies to achieve an overall increase in the participation of women in the public service, particularly at the higher levels. The Committee notes that the Government in its report reaffirms that the selection and appointment of employees in the public service occurs in accordance with the standards that guarantee equality between men and women without discrimination, and indicates that in 2004 women represented 49 per cent of the persons appointed in the public service. The Government further refers to its policy to build the capacity of civil service employees through their participation in missions and training sessions without discrimination, and provides statistics indicating that in 2004 out of the 977 missions and sessions exceeding one month, 410 were undertaken by women. While appreciating this information, the Committee nevertheless notes from the 2005 statistics on the distribution of men and women in different occupational categories of the civil service, that women continue to be disproportionately employed in Category 4 (administration) positions, while men dominate Category 1 (supervisory) and Category 2 (technical specialist) positions. Concerned about the slow progress in achieving a more equitable balance between men and women in the public service, and particularly at higher levels, the Committee recalls the Government’s obligation to take proactive measures to implement the national policy on equality in respect of employment under its direct control, in accordance with Article 3(d) of the Convention. The Committee urges the Government to step up its efforts in this regard, including by exploring the underlying causes of the existing imbalance, and to demonstrate the results of these efforts in its next report.

2. Equal access of men and women to vocational training and education. With respect to the measures taken to improve women’s educational attainment, technical skills and experience, the Committee notes from the information in the Government’s report that out of the 774 graduates of the training project targeting vocational competencies, only 102 were women. Under the national training project, 48.8 per cent of the graduates were women, 40.65 per cent of whom found employment. However, for the project targeting the clothing industry, out of the 4,076 graduates, 3,063 were women; they represented 75.15 per cent of the 40.64 per cent of those who found employment. The Committee, while appreciating the efforts taken by the Government to improve women’s technical skills, must note that these statistics do not give information on the specific courses provided, nor on how women’s participation in these training projects has helped to diversify women’s employment opportunities. It is, therefore, bound to conclude that without further details about the type of vocational courses in which women participate, women’s participation in vocational training appears to remain focused on traditional and so-called feminine sectors of employment such as the clothing industry. As access to vocational training and education is critical to the advancement of women’s employment and occupation, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the type of training available to women does not inhibit their chances to compete on an equal basis with men for a wider range of employment opportunities, including at higher levels, and provide information in its next report demonstrating the progress made in this regard, as well as in providing training of women in non‑traditional sectors.

3. National policy on equality on other grounds. The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report once more fails to provide information on how the Government is promoting a national policy of equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation with respect to grounds other than sex. The Committee, therefore, urges the Government to indicate in its next report the specific measures taken to ensure and promote in law and in practice equality of opportunity and treatment and protection against direct and indirect discrimination in recruitment and training of nationals and non-nationals on the grounds of race, colour, religion, national extraction, political opinion and social origin.

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

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

Further to its observation, the Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report and requests it to provide additional information on the following points.

1. With regard to sexual harassment, the Committee notes the Government’s statements that the Penal Code No. 16 of 1960, as amended, prohibits the offering of indecent work to a boy or girl under 15, making indecent suggestions in a public place or in society in general, and other acts contrary to public morals, that section 28(c) of the Labour Code specifies that an employer can dismiss a worker if he is found to have committed an act contrary to public morals at the workplace, that a worker has the right to leave his job without notice and request compensation if the employer has aggressed him or insulted him at work, and that in practice, the society is known by its strict tradition on sexual harassment-related actions. The Committee asks the Government if it has any intention to prohibit sexual harassment in the law or in a policy. The Government is also requested to supply information on administrative mechanisms, enforcement mechanisms and procedures that can be used to address sexual harassment, relevant court decisions as well as on educational and awareness-raising measures on prevention and protection against sexual harassment.

2. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that one of the most important measures taken as the follow-up to the recommendations of the research report on women workers in the textiles and garments industries is to carry out the National Employment Project through an integrated plan aimed at marginalized regions and targeted groups. It requests the Government to provide more detailed information, including statistical data, on the results and impact of such measures, as well as on other follow-up measures.

3. With regard to the Committee’s previous request that the Government envisage the possibility of reviewing the Ordinance of 1997 issued by the Minister of Labour under section 69 of the Labour Code setting out the jobs and times at which work by women was prohibited, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that it will inform the Committee of any amendments that occur to the legislation governing women’s employment, including information on the Ordinance promulgated in 1997, when it is finalized. It reminds the Government to provide such information when it is available.

4. With regard to activities and advisory services provided by the Working Women’s Department at the Labour Inspectorate, the Committee notes from the Government’s report that the aim of such activities and services is to monitor the National Employment project and prepare women through training programmes at the workplace, especially on basic life skills and management, and on resolving problems encountered by women in a number of sectors, through the circulation of a form on complaints and on reasons for leaving employment. The Government is requested to provide further information on the results or impact of such services.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

1. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report. Further to its previous comments concerning the low participation of women in the public service, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that according to Section 46(b) of the Civil Service Regulations No. 55 of 2002, the selection and appointment of employees for work in the Civil Service Authority is made on the basis of criteria which ensure equality between all Jordanians. The Government also indicates that it is adopting an employment policy that makes no distinction between men and women. The Committee recalls that the prohibition of discrimination is not sufficient in itself to eliminate discrimination and achieve equality in reality; it is often necessary to adopt special positive measures to promote equal opportunity and access of women to employment and occupation. Therefore, the Committee again hopes the Government will be in a position to report on specific measures taken or envisaged with regard to recruitment policy and further training policy to achieve an overall increase in the participation of women in the public service, and particularly at the higher levels. The Committee requests the Government continue to provide up-to-date statistics on employment in the civil service classified by category and sex.

2. Further to its previous comments on inequalities between men and women in education and vocational training, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that the conditions specified in the Civil Service Regulations for the nomination of officials to training sessions do not distinguish between the sexes, that the Government undertakes to carry out the National Training Project with the participation of 12,000 male and female trainees, and that the National Training Institute has several training centres for both sexes without discrimination. The Committee again requests the Government to provide more detailed information, including statistical data, on targeted measures taken to improve women’s educational attainment, technical skills and practical experience, on the progress made in providing training for women in non-traditional sectors, and on the measures taken to ensure that training leads to a wider variety of employment opportunities for women, so that they are able to compete on an equal basis with men for a wide variety of posts in the public and private sectors, especially higher level posts.

3. The Committee notes that the Government’s report once again does not provide any information on how the Government is promoting a national policy of equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation with respect to grounds other than sex, as covered by the Convention. It therefore urges the Government to indicate in its next report how protection against discrimination in employment and occupation on the basis of race, colour, national extraction, religion, political opinion and social origin is ensured in law and practice.

The Committee is also addressing a request on related and other matters directly to the Government.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government and the statistics attached to the report.

1. In its previous comments, the Committee had requested the Government to envisage the possibility of reviewing the Ordinance of 1997 issued by the Minister of Labour under section 69 of the Labour Code setting out the jobs and times at which work by women was prohibited. It had also noted the Government’s explanation that these prohibitions were intended above all to protect the health and safety of women workers, but that they also took into account national traditions and customs and the private life of women workers by giving them the possibility to harmonize their family and working lives. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that any decision promulgated on the basis of section 69 of the Labour Code will be subject to a periodic review, examination and evaluation by the social partners, and that promulgated decisions will be reviewed and amended, if the need for such review arises. It also notes the decision adopted by the Ministry of Labour on 10 January 2002 amending article 4 of the 1997 Ordinance on restricted working hours and occupations for women which adds the information technology sector and related occupations to the list of exceptions of sectors in which women are authorized to work between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.

2. While fully appreciating the statement made by the Government, the Committee must repeat that family responsibilities may constitute an obstacle to equality in employment and be an important cause of direct or indirect discrimination against women. Therefore, it should be recognized that traditions and customs may reflect stereotype thinking and negative prejudices about men’s and women’s roles and capabilities, including those with respect to family responsibilities. The Committee trusts that the Government will consider a thorough examination of the provisions of the 1997 Ordinance in due course, involving workers’ and employers’ organizations and women workers, with a view to assessing whether it is still necessary to prohibit access of women into certain occupations, in light of any improvement in working conditions and the need to promote equality of opportunity and treatment. In any review, consideration should be given to the approach taken in the Night Work Convention, 1990 (No. 171), the Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No. 176) and the ILO resolution of 1985 on equal opportunities and equal treatment for men and women in employment. The Government is also requested to continue to keep it informed of the progress made in the process of reviewing all Jordanian legislation, including the abovementioned 1997 Ordinance, and in particular the aspects of the legislation relating to women.

3. With regard to vocational training, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that despite the fact that men and women have a free choice to register and sign up for vocational training programmes, there is a trend to have separate training centres for women and men and centres where men and women are in the same place and trained in mixed workshops. The Committee notes indeed from the statistics supplied by the Government on the number of men and women enrolled in the various vocational training courses for the years 2002 and 2001, that the number of women trainees remains extremely low and that the enrolment of men and women in these courses occur largely along traditional lines: training centres for women almost exclusively focus courses related to secretarial work, sales work, hairdressing, dressmaking and textile manufacturing, and bakery while courses in centres for men focus on metalwork, car repair, general repair, carpentry, computers and electronics.

4. Further, while noting the Government’s statement on the dissemination of information on vocational training programmes and the holding of vocational guidance examinations that take into account the physical fitness for the specialization chosen, the Committee must note that the Government does not indicate on how this information system helps in opening a wide range of options to girls in their choice of occupation, nor is the Committee reassured that the vocational examinations for the choice of a trade or occupation do not perpetuate stereotypes. Given the segregation of men and women in training courses along traditional lines, the Committee recalls again that in order to open a broad range of occupations, vocational guidance and training has to be free of considerations based on stereotypes according to which specific trades or occupations are reserved for persons of a particular sex or certain disadvantaged groups. It asks the Government again to provide more detail on the progress made in promoting and providing non-traditional training for women and the measures taken to ensure that training leads to a wider variety of employment opportunities for women, including in higher level posts.

5. The Committee notes with interest the research report called "Women workers in the textiles and garments industries in Jordan: A research on the impact of globalization" (January 2002), which was conducted by a national working group composed of the Ministry of Labour, the General Confederation of Jordanian Trade Unions, the Chamber of Industry, the Chamber of Commerce and the Jordanian National Commission for Women. The Committee notes that the recommendations of the study aimed to be an impetus for further dialogue and follow-up and include suggestions to: (1) improve equality legislation to protect women against discriminatory practices with respect to recruitment, remuneration and promotion; (2) strengthening labour inspection services; (3) raising skills levels of women workers to enhance their employability and career advancement; and (4) enhance the active involvement of the social partners in policy making and interventions. The Committee considers this initiative an important step towards closer collaboration between the Government and the social partners to promote the acceptance and observance of the national policy on equal opportunity and treatment. It requests the Government to keep it informed of any other such initiatives jointly undertaken by the Government, the social partners and other stakeholders, as well as on the measures taken or envisaged to give follow-up to the recommendations of the study and to indicate their impact on the employment situation of women in the textile and garment industry, and on the employment opportunities for women in general.

6. The Committee reiterates its request to provide information on the activities and advisory services provided by the women workers’ division of the labour inspectorate and on the difficulties noted in practice by women inspectors in the application of the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

1. The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report. In its previous comments, the Committee had noted that women represented only 35.7 per cent of employees in the public service, and that the majority of women working in the public service were concentrated in categories No. 2 (37.88 per cent were women), No. 3 (54.52 per cent were women) and No. 4 (24.72 per cent were women), while being under-represented in category No. 1 (5.87 per cent were women) and in the higher categories (0.89 per cent were women). It noted that the majority of women (56.54 per cent) working in the public service had the diploma of college societies, while few had higher level diplomas in comparison with men. It also noted that the majority of women working for the Ministry of Health were nurses while the positions of responsibility were practically all held by men. In light of these figures, the Committee requested the Government to indicate the measures which had been taken or were envisaged with regard to recruitment policy and further training policy (which largely determines promotion policy) to achieve an overall increase in the participation of women in the public service, and particularly at the higher levels.

2. The Committee notes the adoption of the new Civil Service Act No. 55 of 2002 and will examine its contents at its next session, following translation. It notes the Government’s explanations with respect to the tasks that correspond to the abovementioned categories 2, 3 and 4, and the Government’s statement that it is adopting a policy of non-discrimination in employment on the basis of rules governing the selection and appointment of employees in public service posts. The Government also states that the Civil Service Regulations have given the opportunity to women employees to fill all jobs including high-level and leading posts without restrictions and difference in the requirements needed for jobs and their right to apply for these posts. The Government also declares that the abovementioned statistics prove that there are no discriminatory practices in employment, but indicate the participation of women in accordance with their educational levels and practical experience. Recalling the importance of the State’s responsibility in pursuing a policy of equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of employment under its control, the Committee wishes to point out that in order to achieve such equality, it is often necessary to adopt special positive measures to promote equal access of women to employment and occupation; also the prohibition of discrimination is not sufficient in itself for the disappearance of discrimination in practice, even where legal provisions are correctly applied. The Committee, therefore, requests the Government to indicate the targeted measures taken to improve women’s educational attainment, technical skills and practical experiences of women, so that they are able to compete on an equal basis with men for all posts in the civil service, especially higher level posts.

3. The Committee notes that the Government’s report, once again, does not provide any information on how the Government is promoting a national policy of equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation with respect to the other grounds covered by the Convention. It therefore requests the Government to indicate in its next report how protection against discrimination in employment and occupation on the basis of race, colour, national extraction, religion, political opinion and social origin is ensured in law and practice.

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

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government and the documentation attached to the report.

1. The Committee notes the statistics provided by the Government on the distribution of women in the Jordanian public service, which show that women only represent 35.7 per cent of employees in the public service, and that the majority of women working in the public service are concentrated in categories No. 2 (37.88 per cent), No. 3 (54.52 per cent) and No. 4 (24.72 per cent), while being under-represented in category No. 1 (5.87 per cent) and in the higher categories (0.89 per cent). It also notes the statistics provided by the Government on the composition of the workforce employed by the Ministry of Health. It regrets that the statistics provided have not been systematically disaggregated according to the gender of the employees concerned. However, it notes that the majority of women working for the Ministry of Health are nurses and that the positions of responsibility are practically all held by men. In the light of these figures, the Committee wishes to recall the importance of the State's responsibility in pursuing a policy of equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of employment under its control. It therefore requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken or are envisaged, with regard to recruitment policy and further training policy (which largely determines promotion policy), to achieve an overall increase in the participation of women in the public service, and particularly at the higher levels. The Committee would also be grateful to be provided with information on the type of jobs which are covered by categories Nos. 2, 3 and 4 above. It also notes that the majority of women (56.54 per cent) working in the public service have the diploma of college societies.

2. The Committee notes that the Legal Committee of the Jordanian National Committee for Women is continuing its review of all Jordanian legislation, and particularly the aspects of the legislation relating to women, and that the Government's report indicates that new amendments to laws have been submitted to the Council of Ministers since its previous report. The Committee is grateful to the Government for transmitting copies of the amendments adopted up to now by the Council of Ministers. The Committee requests the Government to continue keeping it informed of the progress made in the process of reviewing all Jordanian legislation and in the adoption by the Council of Ministers of the amendments proposed by the Legal Committee, as its survey progresses.

3. In its previous direct request, the Committee asked the Government to provide copies of any orders issued in accordance with section 69 of the Labour Code of 1996, which has the objective of protecting women's health and establishes that, after consultation with the competent official bodies, the Minister shall issue an order indicating: (a) the industries and occupations in which work by women is prohibited; and (b) the hours during which women may not work and the possible exceptions. The Government attached to its report a copy of an Ordinance of 1997 issued by the Minister of Labour under section 69 of the Labour Code setting out the jobs and times at which work by women is prohibited. According to this Ordinance, the employment of women is mainly prohibited in mining industries and ports, and it is forbidden to engage women in work between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., unless exceptions are authorized (restaurants, hotels, theatres, cinemas, airports, hospitals, dispensaries, accountancy, etc.). The Committee takes due note of the Government's explanations that these prohibitions are intended above all to protect the health and safety of women workers, but that they also take into account national traditions and customs and the private life of women workers by giving them the possibility to harmonize their family and working lives. However, the Committee requests the Government to envisage the possibility of reviewing these provisions, in consultation with the social partners, and particularly women workers, with a view to assessing whether it is still necessary to prohibit the access of women to certain occupations, taking into account the improvement in working conditions and changing mentalities. It also draws the Government's attention to the provisions contained in this respect in: (a) the Protocol of 1990 to the Night Work (Women) Convention (Revised), 1948 (No. 89); (b) the Night Work Convention, 1990 (No. 171), and the Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No. 176), and their corresponding Recommendaions; and (c) the ILO resolution of 1985 on equal opportunities and equal treatment for men and women in employment.

4. One of the reasons put forward by the Government to justify the prohibition of certain jobs for women is the concern to enable women workers to harmonize their working lives with the constraints of their family life. The Committee wishes to recall in this respect the statement that it made in its previous comment, namely that it would be desirable for certain measures which are applicable to women workers, with a view to enabling them to bring up or care for their children, to be progressively extended to men so that such advantages cease to be an obstacle to women's competitiveness on the labour market. Family responsibilities may indeed constitute an obstacle to equality in employment and be an important cause of direct or indirect discrimination against women. The adoption of such measures would signal the recognition of the fact that family responsibilities are a problem which concern the family and society, and not only women. In this respect, the Committee takes due note of the fact that, while the Government appreciates its suggestion of extending to male workers unpaid leave for a year with reinstatement in their job, which is envisaged solely for women workers under section 67 of the Labour Code (or of granting it to one of the two parents in cases where they are both employees), it nevertheless considers that such a proposal goes against the standards and practices currently in force in the country. The Committee nevertheless notes that section 68 of the Labour Code, under which men and women are entitled to take unpaid leave for a period not exceeding two years to accompany a spouse who is given an assignment outside the usual workplace or abroad, constitutes a step in this direction.

5. With regard to vocational training, the Committee takes due note of the Government's statement that it is exempt from any distinction, exclusion or preference based on race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin. However, it wishes to recall that experience shows that discriminatory practices in respect of access to training rarely originate in legislative provisions or regulations that are expressly of a discriminatory nature; more commonly they arise out of practices that are based on stereotypes affecting mainly women or certain disadvantaged or minority groups of society. For this reason, the Committee draws attention to the importance of vocational guidance in opening a broad range of occupations free of considerations based on stereotypes according to which specific trades or occupations are reserved for persons of a particular sex or certain disadvantaged groups. It therefore requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken or are envisaged to: (a) establish an information system opening a broad range of options to girls in their choice of occupation; and (b) to ensure that guidance tests for the choice of a trade or occupation do not perpetuate stereotypes by emphasizing social or cultural characteristics which are not germane to the qualifications required for a particular job. Finally, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide statistics on the type of vocational training followed by young women and men.

6. The Committee also notes the detailed information provided by the Government concerning the terms of reference, activities and advisory services provided by the women workers' division of the labour inspectorate. The Committee requests the Government to provide copies of any reports, studies or surveys undertaken by this division of the labour inspectorate, as well as information on the difficulties noted in practice by women inspectors in the application of the Convention.

7. The Committee notes that the Government once again emphasizes in its report the collaboration between employers' and workers' organizations, rather than the collaboration of employers' and workers' organizations with the State to promote the acceptance and observance of the national policy against discrimination.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

The Committee takes note of the information supplied by the Government in its reports, in particular the copy of the National Charter, sections of which are devoted to equality irrespective of sex, race, language or religion. It also notes the Government's references to non-discrimination on the basis of disability that do not amount to a determination of disability as a further ground of prohibited discrimination.

1. The Committee notes the Government's observation that section 69 of the 1996 Labour Code (which stipulates that, upon consultation with the competent official bodies, the Minister shall adopt a decision specifying: (a) industries and trades where women's work shall be prohibited; and (b) hours in which women may not be employed and exceptions thereto) imposes restrictions on the employment of women with the aim of protecting their health. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any decision adopted to date on the basis of this section.

2. The Committee notes with interest the work undertaken by the Jordanian National Committee for Women which, inter alia, conducted, through its Legal Committee, a comprehensive survey of all Jordanian laws and detailed studies on the aspects relating to women in these laws. Noting that the National Committee adopted the first group of recommendations issued by the Legal Committee and that these were subsequently submitted, in part, to the Council of Ministers where they are currently under study, the Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the conclusions of the survey and copies of legislation amended, if any, by the Council of Ministers, especially with regard to the texts highlighted by the National Committee, namely the Personal Status Law No. 61 of 1976, the Jordanian Nationality Law, Act No. 6 of 1954, the Civil Retirement Act No. 24 of 1959, Ordinance No. 55/93, and the Social Security Act No. 30 of 1978. In addition, so as to be able to assess the impact on employment opportunity of the legislation, the Committee would like to have copies of the first group of amendments issued by the Department of Civil Status and Passports under the recommendations of the Committee concerning the Instructions of the Civil Status Law, Act No. 34 of 1973 and the Instructions concerning the Passport Law, Act No. 2 of 1969.

3. The Committee had previously requested information on the composition of the employees working in the Ministry of Health following information provided by the Government that out of the 8,689 women employees under the Ministry, 945 were recruited in 1994 alone. Therefore, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the distribution of workers by sex and by job/category and level of responsibility.

4. The Committee notes with interest the establishment of a new department responsible for the affairs of women working in the Ministry of Labour and the appointment of nine female labour inspectors in various parts of the Kingdom to ensure the implementation of those provisions of the Labour Code which are related to the status of working women and to provide women with the necessary consultative services. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the activities of the new department, the functioning and findings of the inspectors and the nature of the consultative services provided.

5. Article 3(a). The Committee notes the Government's statement that, in order to organize the labour market, the Ministry of Labour has adopted the principle of cooperation between the workers' and employers' organizations to encourage acceptance of the national policy against discrimination. Noting that Article 3(a) lays down a State's obligation to seek the cooperation of, rather than between, employers' and workers' organizations and other appropriate bodies in promoting the acceptance and observance of the national policy on the elimination of discrimination, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures that have been taken to facilitate such cooperation.

6. Finally, the Committee notes that the Government's report is silent on one issue on which it asked to be kept informed and must therefore repeat a part of its previous observation which reads as follows:

In its Special Survey on equality in employment and occupation of 1996, the Committee stressed that legislation on non-discrimination should be adopted as part of a policy on equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation. It pointed out that special measures to protect maternity or the health of women are expressly recognized as non-discriminatory and are "always necessary", and suggested that certain provisions applicable to women to allow them to raise children or to care for them should increasingly be granted to men as well, so that the advantages granted cease to be an obstacle to women's competitiveness on the labour market (see paragraphs 131-133 of the above-mentioned Special Survey). The Committee therefore welcomes the significant improvements to the legislation which the above-mentioned provisions of the Labour Code represent, and suggests that the Government examine the possibility of extending to male workers, or granting to one of the two parents where both are employed, the right to one year's unpaid leave with reinstatement in their jobs, which is at present granted only to women workers under section 67.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

The Committee notes the Government's reports and the information sent in reply to its previous direct request, as well as the appended legislation (Education Act, 1994; Protection of the Disabled Act, 1993; Criteria and Rules for the Selection of Government Employees issued under section 11, paragraph 11(b), of the 1988 Civil Service Regulations). It also notes the recently published new Labour Code (Act No. 8 of 1996).

1. In an annex to the Government's report on the application of the Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100), it is stated that Chapter 1, paragraph 8 of the National Charter provides that Jordanians of both sexes are equal before the law and that, as regards their rights and duties, there shall be no discrimination on grounds of race, language, or religion. The Committee has also received information to the effect that the National Charter, adopted in June 1991, is a reference document for constitutional purposes. It asks the Government to provide a copy of the Charter and to indicate where it ranks in the hierarchy of domestic legislation.

2. The Committee notes with interest that many provisions of the new Labour Code are in line with the objectives of the Convention: section 27 which bans the dismissal of women workers during the period from the sixth month of pregnancy to the end of maternity leave; section 67 which entitles women who work in enterprises with at least ten employees to take unpaid leave of up to one year in order to look after their children and to return to their jobs at the end of that period; section 68 under which all workers, both men and women, may apply for leave without pay of up to two years and return to their jobs at the end of that period, in order to accompany a spouse whose work takes him/her elsewhere; section 70 which provides for ten weeks' (formerly six) maternity leave for all women workers, no longer requiring a certain period employment in the same establishment; section 71 under which, for one year following confinement, a woman worker is entitled to a one-hour break, with pay, to breast-feed her infant; and section 72 which requires employers, in certain circumstances, to provide appropriate premises and a competent teacher for the care of children under 4 years of age.

3. In its Special Survey on Equality in Employment and Occupation of 1996, the Committee stressed that legislation on non-discrimination should be adopted as part of a policy on equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation. It pointed out that special measures to protect maternity or the health of women are expressly recognized as non-discriminatory and are "always necessary", and suggested that certain provisions applicable to women to allow them to raise children or to care for them should increasingly be granted to men as well, so that the advantages granted cease to be an obstacle to women's competitiveness on the labour market (see paragraphs 131 to 133 of the above-mentioned Special Survey). The Committee therefore welcomes the significant improvements to the legislation which the above-mentioned provisions of the Labour Code represent, and suggests that the Government examine the possibility of extending to male workers, or granting to one of the two parents where both are employed, the right to one year's unpaid leave with reinstatement in their jobs, which is at present granted only to women workers under section 67.

4. The Committee notes with interest that the National Committee for Women is represented in parliamentary debates on issues likely to lead, directly or indirectly, to discriminatory behaviour against women. It also notes with interest that an ordinance of the Prime Minister, No. 55/93, requests all state departments and public institutions to apply the provisions of the National Strategy for Women, in the belief that such a measure is a demonstration of the Government's real determination to give effect to its declarations of intent concerning the policy of non-discrimination between the sexes. It notes in particular the information contained in the report on the activities of the National Committee for Women, including the recent adoption of a number of legislative provisions designed to reduce discrimination against women workers, especially with regard to social protection (extension of their social coverage to minor children and to invalid spouses) and maternity leave for public servants (extension from two to three months). The Committee welcomes these measures which are directly linked to employment, and the measure, also reported by the National Committee for Women, whereby, in a tenancy contract signed by the husband, the wife and children are considered original tenants. This measure has an indirect yet very important impact on the job security of women in the event of dissolution of the marriage. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide a copy of all the above-mentioned provisions with its next report.

5. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the extensive information in the report of the National Committee for Women, concerning measures to increase the number of women in employment. It notes that a number of women have been appointed as members of Municipal and Village Councils throughout the country; it also notes that, out of 8,689 women employees under the Ministry of Health, 945 were recruited in 1994 alone. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would complete the information for this sector by indicating, in its next report, the distribution of workers by sex and by job category.

6. The Committee notes that, in order to promote a policy of non-discrimination between the sexes, the programme of the first ten years of schooling highlights the double role played by women, within the family and as active members of society. The Government is asked to provide in its next report information on the implementation of this programme which, according to the report of the National Committee for Women, was to begin in the school year 1995-96. It is also asked to provide information on the technical committees which, according to the same report, were created in 1993 and 1994 in order to implement the strategy of the National Committee for Women by means of short- and medium-term programmes.

7. The Committee notes that the Government's report refers to a number of improvements in access to employment for persons with disabilities (the requirement for employers, in the circumstances laid down by section 13 of the Labour Code, to employ a certain number of persons with disabilities who have undergone vocational rehabilitation, and to report to the Ministry the jobs held by the people concerned and their respective wages). It asks the Government to indicate in its next report whether, in view of the fact that disability is not one of the grounds of discrimination listed in Article 1, paragraph 1(a) of the Convention, it plans to make an explicit determination, after consultation with the employers' and workers' organizations, that it is an additional ground under paragraph 1(b) of the same Article.

8. Article 3(a). The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government concerning efforts to secure the cooperation of employers' and workers' organizations to encourage acceptance of the national policy against discrimination. It notes the comments made by the Federation of Jordanian Chambers of Commerce to the effect that, although from the legal and procedural points of view there is no discrimination in employment and occupation, in practice the situation is different: "such discrimination will exist as long as labour market mechanisms do not function coherently". The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures that have been taken to encourage employers' and workers' organizations to cooperate actively in promoting the acceptance and observance in the labour market of the policy of non-discrimination as required by this provision of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

The Committee notes the Government's report.

1. The Committee notes that the draft new Labour Code will be adopted very shortly and that the Government will not fail to provide a copy of it once it has been promulgated.

2. The Committee notes the National Strategy for Women which was adopted following the national conference on the subject held in Amman in June 1993, the text of which was sent by the Government. Further to its previous comments, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on the activities of the National Committee for Women, recently created, particularly concerning the implementation of development plans to increase women's participation in social, economic and political life. In its previous comments on this matter, the Committee considered that the women's participation rate in vocational training programmes was very low and that the training provided was mostly for activities traditionally carried out by women, with a marked increase between 1986 and 1989 in the industrial tailoring, pottery and copperwork sectors, and in the maintenance of office equipment.

With particular regard to implementation of the National Strategy, the Committee requests information on the specific measures which may have already been taken to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women in employment. For example, in Chapter 2 (Component elements of the National Strategy for Women): the comprehensive study of laws and regulations envisaged in paragraph 1 under the heading "The field of legislation (A)"; the measures taken to increase women's participation in employment and eliminate all forms of discrimination against them in all the economic sectors, as envisaged in paragraph 1 of Objectives under the heading "The field of economics (C)"; and the various measures under the heading "The educational field (E)" to enable women to have access to skilled jobs. In addition, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would inform it of the results of the activities implemented under Chapter 3 (Implementation machinery), for example by providing information on the annual executive plan of work prepared by the National Committee for Women (paragraph 3) and the two-yearly assessment of the plans and achievements (paragraph 5).

The Committee would also be grateful if the Government would provide information, including statistics, on women's access to employment in particular occupations.

3. Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government's statement in its report that its previous request for information was unwarranted since the principles of equality are laid down in article 6 of the Constitution. The Committee draws the Government's attention to the fact that an assertion of general principles of equality before the law may be part of the national policy to promote equality provided for in Article 2 of the Convention, but does not, on its own, amount to such a policy within the meaning of the Convention.

The Committee reminds the Government that, under these provisions of the Convention, it must "undertake to declare and pursue a national policy designed to promote, by methods appropriate to national conditions and practice, equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of employment and occupation, with a view to eliminating any discrimination in respect thereof" on the grounds referred to in Article 1. Consequently, the Committee urges the Government in its next report to provide information on any measures taken to ensure effective promotion of equality of opportunity and treatment, regardless of race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin, and on the results obtained particularly with regard to:

(a) access to vocational training;

(b) access to employment and particular occupations;

(c) terms and conditions of employment, and more specifically the measures taken to promote equality of opportunity and treatment:

(i) in employment, vocational training and vocational guidance coming directly under the Government's authority;

(ii) by the legislation and educational programmes;

(iii) with the cooperation of employers' and workers' organizations and other appropriate bodies, particularly as regards employment in the private sector and areas not covered by collective agreements.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

The Committee notes the Government's latest report received in 1993.

1. With reference to its previous comments concerning the plan to adopt a new Labour Code containing the principles laid down in the Convention, the Committee notes that the examination of the draft new Code has been completed by the Legislative Council and the Code has been submitted to the National Council. The Committee hopes that the Code will be adopted very shortly and that the Government will not fail to provide a copy of the text.

2. With regard to the implementation of development plans to increase the participation of women in social, economic and political life, the Committee notes that the number of women participating in vocational training programmes has risen steadily since 1976 and that by 1991, women accounted for 19 per cent of all such trainees. The Committee considers that this rate is very low; it noted previously that the training provided is mostly for activities which are traditionally carried out by women and that between 1986 and 1989 there was a marked increase in the industrial tailoring, pottery and copperwork sectors, and in the maintenance of office equipment. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on any new developments regarding the promotion of education and vocational training for women.

3. The Committee has learned that on 29 June 1993 a conference was held in Amman on the formulation and adoption of a national strategy for women, which was attended by some 600 people representing a wide variety of institutions, organizations and associations from various sectors of the country. The Committee notes that the National Commission for Women, recently created, played an important role at the conference and, in particular, in drawing up the national strategy. Since it appears that the necessary structures to implement a national policy on women do not yet exist, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on the activities of the National Commission for Women and on the follow-up to this conference, indicating how, and with what means, it plans to develop the proposed national strategy for women.

Furthermore, the Committee asks the Government to provide information, including statistics, on women's access to employment and the various occupations.

4. Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. The Committee has not received the information it requested under point 3 of its previous comment. It therefore once again asks the Government to provide information in its next report on any measures taken to ensure effective promotion of equality of opportunity and treatment, regardless of race, colour, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin, and on the results obtained, particularly as regards:

(a) access to vocational training;

(b) access to employment and particular occupations;

(c) terms and conditions of employment, and more specifically the measures taken to promote equality of opportunity and treatment:

(i) in employment, vocational training and occupational guidance under the direction of the Government;

(ii) by legislation and educational programmes;

(iii) with the cooperation of employers' and workers' organizations and other appropriate bodies, particularly as regards employment in the private sector and matters not covered by collective agreements.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. With regard to the new draft Labour Code containing the principles set out in the Convention, the Government indicates that action is currently being taken in the Legislative Council to promulgate the draft Code together with another Bill respecting job classifications. The Committee hopes that the Code will be adopted in the near future and that the Government will not fail to supply a copy of its text.

2. With regard to the implementation of the development plans for 1986 to 1990, which were intended to increase the participation of women in social, economic and political life, the Committee notes the communication from the Director-General of the Vocational Training Agency giving examples of training centres intended for girls, in which apprenticeships and training are provided in traditional and non-traditional sectors. A brief description and a statistical table provide details in this respect. The Committee notes that training is particularly important in traditional women's activities and that between 1986 and 1989 there was a clear increase in the fields of industrial tailoring, pottery and copper-work, as well as the maintenance of office equipment.

The Committee notes in particular that the Agency has the intention of developing programmes for the training of women and of creating new centres. The Committee requests the Government to continue to keep it informed of any new developments with respect to the promotion of the education and vocational training of women. Furthermore, the Committee requests the Government to supply further information, including statistics, on the access of women to employment.

3. In general, the Committee points out that paragraphs 158, 159 and 170 of its 1988 General Survey on Equality in Employment and Occupation emphasize the various aspects of declaring and pursuing a national policy for equality of opportunity and treatment, in accordance with Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. The Committee therefore requests the Government to supply detailed information in this respect as requested in the report form on the Convention under the above Articles.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

The Committee refers to its previous comments and notes the Government's report and the attached information.

1. With regard to the new draft Labour Code containing the principles set out in the Convention, the Government indicates that action is currently being taken in the Legislative Council to promulgate the draft Code together with another Bill respecting job classifications. The Committee hopes that the Code will be adopted in the near future and that the Government will not fail to supply a copy of its text.

2. With regard to the implementation of the development plans for 1986 to 1990, which were intended to increase the participation of women in social, economic and political life, the Committee notes the communication from the Director-General of the Vocational Training Agency giving examples of training centres intended for girls, in which apprenticeships and training are provided in traditional and non-traditional sectors. A brief description and a statistical table provide details in this respect. The Committee notes that training is particularly important in traditional women's activities and that between 1986 and 1989 there was a clear increase in the fields of industrial tailoring, pottery and copper-work, as well as the maintenance of office equipment.

The Committee notes in particular that the Agency has the intention of developing programmes for the training of women and of creating new centres. The Committee requests the Government to continue to keep it informed of any new developments with respect to the promotion of the education and vocational training of women. Furthermore, the Committee requests the Government to supply further information, including statistics, on the access of women to employment.

3. In general, the Committee points out that paragraphs 158, 159 and 170 of its 1988 General Survey on Equality in Employment and Occupation emphasise the various aspects of declaring and pursuing a national policy for equality of opportunity and treatment, in accordance with Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. The Committee therefore requests the Government to supply detailed information in this respect as requested in the report form on the Convention under the above Articles.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes that the Labour Code, which was to contain the principles set out in the Convention, has not yet been adopted. The Committee hopes that it will be possible to adopt this Code in the near future and that the Government will not fail to supply a copy of it once adopted.

2. The Committee also notes, from the statistics supplied with the Government's report, that the participation rate for women in the employment market in the urban sector, although it has risen to a certain extent in recent years, remains rather low, and was 12.5 per cent in 1985. However, in the agricultural sector, this rate decreased from 1.1 per cent in 1979 to 0.5 per cent in 1984. The Committee, however, notes with interest the efforts made by the Government to combat illiteracy, which the Government states is still rather high among women, particularly in rural areas, and to promote the access of girls to education and vocational training. The Committee notes, in particular, that the development plans for 1986 to 1990 aim to increase the participation of women in social, economic and political life and, among other measures, envisage the establishment of appropriate educational programmes and the creation of various vocational and craft training centres for women. These plans will be carried out by the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation with the co-operation of the General Union of Jordanian Women and the Department of Women's Affairs of the Ministry of Social Development. The Committee requests the Government to supply detailed information in its next report, including statistics, on the implementation of these plans and the results obtained, both as regards the access of women to vocational training and to employment.

3. With reference to the request it made in 1987, the Committee notes the Government's statement that no decision has been taken by the Ministry of Education to prohibit married women from working as teachers.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

1. The Committee notes the Government's reply to its previous comments and notes that the Labour Code, which was to contain the principles set out in the Convention, has not yet been adopted. The Committee hopes that it will be possible to adopt this Code in the near future and that the Government will not fail to supply a copy of it once adopted.

2. The Committee also notes, from the statistics supplied with the Government's report, that the participation rate for women in the employment market in the urban sector, although it has risen to a certain extent in recent years, remains rather low, and was 12.5 per cent in 1985. However, in the agricultural sector, this rate decreased from 1.1 per cent in 1979 to 0.5 per cent in 1984. The Committee, however, notes with interest the efforts made by the Government to combat illiteracy, which the Government states is still rather high among women, particularly in rural areas, and to promote the access of girls to education and vocational training. The Committee notes, in particular, that the development plans for 1986 to 1990 aim to increase the participation of women in social, economic and political life and, among other measures, envisage the establishment of appropriate educational programmes and the creation of various vocational and craft training centres for women. These plans will be carried out by the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation with the co-operation of the General Union of Jordanian Women and the Department of Women's Affairs of the Ministry of Social Development. The Committee requests the Government to supply detailed information in its next report, including statistics, on the implementation of these plans and the results obtained, both as regards the access of women to vocational training and to employment.

3. With reference to the request it made in 1987, the Committee notes the Government's statement that no decision has been taken by the Ministry of Education to prohibit married women from working as teachers.