Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

1. The Committee notes that, in reply to its request for information on the practical application of the principle of the Convention, the Government states that there have been no complaints or legal proceedings concerning discrimination in employment because there is no discrimination in employment and occupation in the country. The Committee draws the Government's attention to paragraph 240 of its 1988 General Survey on equality in employment and occupation where it states that it is difficult to accept statements to the effect that the application of the Convention gives rise to no difficulties or that the instrument is fully applied, especially when no other details are given on the contents and methods of implementing the national policy against discrimination. The Committee therefore repeats its previous request for information on how Act No. 20 of 1991 on the promotion of freedom, which according to the Government is the basis of the country's equality policy, is being applied in practice.

2. The Committee notes that the Government's report contains no reply to the remainder of its comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

2. As regards the employment situation of women, the Committee notes that the number of women in the active labour market has risen from 5.7 per cent in 1970, to 16.2 per cent in 1988 and 19 per cent in 1991, that female employees predominate in the education and health sectors and have, according to the Government, finally reached the stage of occupying many posts in the administration of the State, such as Deputy Secretary of the People's General Congress. Noting further the efforts made to establish, finance and equip (mainly with sewing and embroidery machines) training centres in all municipalities of the country within the context of the programme for productive family centres of the People's General Committee for Light Industry, which are aimed at helping women have access to work and production, the Committee requests the Government to continue supplying detailed information of this nature. At the same time, it draws the Government's attention to paragraph 38 of its 1988 General Survey on equality in employment and occupation concerning the dangers of occupational segregation according to sex, which leads to the concentration of men and women in different occupations and sectors of activity, and trusts that the training centres offer women access to all types of work and production and not only those echoing traditional stereotypes of "women's work".

3. As regards the effect given to Part 111 of the Green Book, which suggests that women should be offered employment and education opportunities that are different from those of men, the Committee notes the Government's explanation of this text in terms of women enjoying equality with men at all levels of primary, intermediate and university education and through the establishment, by the Secretariat of Vocational Training, of vocational training centres adapted to the needs of women, such as those for administrative and financial professions, industrial design and hotel training. The Government also mentions its interest - without detailing how that interest is shown in concrete terms - in women's participation in other areas of work, like the medical and paramedical professions, teaching and social security. The Committee would again draw the Government's attention to the above-cited paragraph of its 1988 General Survey, and asks the Government to supply copies of the reports of the People's General Committee on the Planning of the Economy, referred to in its report, showing developments in the education and employment of women in various sectors outside teaching, health service industries and light manufacturing such as sewing. For example, what measures have been taken to follow up on Decision No. 164 of 1988 of the People's General Committee concerning the employment system for Libyan women and on Act No. 8 of 1989 concerning the right of women to have access to the magistrature?

4. Noting from the legislative texts supplied (in particular Decision No. 416 of 1989 of the People's General Committee) that the responsibilities that had been conferred on the People's General Committee for the Public Service appear to have been reassigned following the reorganization of the latter, the Committee requests the Government to supply information on the exact structures now governing the public service, in particular, describing the functions and activities of the competent bodies concerned with ensuring that no discrimination exists as regards access to public service posts nor in the terms and conditions of employment of public servants, on any of the grounds listed in the Convention. It would also appreciate receiving copies of any reports that the People's General Committee for the Public Service or other body which has been assigned its responsibilities may have produced which throw light on the implementation of the principle of equality of employment and opportunity between men and women in the public service.