Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2019, publiée 109ème session CIT (2021)

Repetition

Article 1(b) of the Convention. Equal remuneration for work of equal value. Legislation. The Committee has been pointing out since 1997 that the Employment (Equal Pay for Equal Work) Act of 1975 does not include the concept of “work of equal value” as required by the Convention. The protection under the current law is narrower than the protection contained in the Convention in that it is limited to requiring the payment of equal remuneration for equal work, which is defined as work performed by men and women alike in which the duties, conditions of work and qualifications are similar or substantially similar, and the differences are not of practical importance and do not occur frequently. The Committee has also has emphasized that the application of the concept of “work of equal value” is fundamental to the promotion and achievement of equal pay between men and women in employment and to reducing the gender pay gap. The Committee recalls its previous requests to the Government to review the Act of 1975 in light of the requirements of the Convention and to consider asking for technical assistance from the ILO. It notes from the Government’s reply that these requests have not been taken up by the Government. In this regard, the Committee must recall that in previous years the Government had indicated that it intended to review the Act of 1975. The Committee urges the Government to undertake a review and to update the Employment (Equal Pay for Equal Work) Act of 1975 to bring its provisions and into full conformity with the Convention by welcoming the principle of equal pay for men and women for work of equal value. It hopes that the Government will consider asking the ILO for technical assistance in this regard. The Committee also asks the Government to report on the steps taken to this end, as well as on any other specific measures taken to examine and address the gender pay gap in the public and private sectors.