Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2002, publiée 91ème session CIT (2003)

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report as well as the comments from the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) received on 11 June 2002.

The Committee notes that, aside from indicating that no complaints have been received on the matter, the Government’s report contains virtually no reply to its previous comment on the observations of the National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU), which alleged that the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value is not respected in the informal and unorganized sectors. It further notes the comments of the ICFTU claiming widespread contraventions of the principle of the Convention. In spite of the existence of the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, the ICFTU points out that wage gaps between men and women persist across all sectors. The ICFTU further maintains that, although the Government has included policies and programmes to achieve the empowerment of women in its Ninth Plan, these have been criticized as superficial: much room for further action remains, particularly in traditional industries. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that under the Equal Remuneration Act a Central Advisory Committee has been set up which oversees the implementation of the provisions of the Equal Remuneration Act and advises the Government with respect to the creation of employment opportunities for women workers. It also notes that, according to the statistics attached to the Government’s report, 4,285 inspections were carried out in 2001. Referring to its previous comments on the observations of the NFITU, the Committee asks the Government to provide statistical data on the inspections carried out in the informal and unorganized sectors to enforce India’s equal pay legislation. It also asks the Government to supply a copy of its Ninth Plan and to provide information on the implementation of the policies contained therein to reduce the wage disparity between men and women.

The Committee is addressing a request directly to the Government in respect of other matters.