Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 1996, publiée 85ème session CIT (1997)

1. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest that the Gender Equality Act (Act No. 45 of 1978) was amended in 1995 to provide that, if differential treatment regarding wages can be established between men and women performing work of equal value, the employer must substantiate that this is not due to the gender of the employees (section 5). A similar amendment to reverse the burden of proof was made in regard to recruitment, promotion, notice to leave or temporary lay-offs (section 4). The Committee also notes with interest that the Government proposes to amend further section 5 to include criteria for comparing jobs. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide information concerning any amendments made to the Gender Equality Act, together with information on the application in practice of the Act.

2. The Committee notes with interest that among the initiatives described in the report, a priority has been placed on achieving pay equality in public sector wage settlements during the current decade. In this regard, settlements to benefit low-wage groups, to award equal monetary increments to all public sector employees and to ensure that women receive a larger than pro-rata share of the amount available for distribution, have all brought about a favourable trend in pay equality in recent years. It also notes that the Government appointed a job evaluation committee in 1995 and implemented, on a trial basis, the Women's Pay Committee's proposal for a job evaluation system in a selection of municipalities. Please furnish information on the outcome of these initiatives.