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Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Lesotho (RATIFICATION: 1998)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that one of the responsibilities of the labour inspectorate is particularly to provide training to employers and workers on the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value. The Government also indicates that the principle of the Convention should be taken into account during routine inspections but does not give any indication whether any violations of the principle have been reported or detected. The Government indicates that the Labour Court has not heard any cases relating to this matter. The Committee recalls that the absence of complaints relating to the principle of the Convention may result from the lack of knowledge of the rights derived from the Convention among workers as well as law enforcers. The Committee asks the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken to raise awareness of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value among workers, employers and their organizations, as well as labour inspectors and judges. Please also continue to provide information on the number, nature and outcome of cases dealt with by the competent authorities regarding the application of section 5(2) of the Labour Code or section 33(a)(i) of the Constitution.

Articles 2 and 3. Public service. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that a job evaluation report for the public service was being prepared which will include statistical information on the number of men and women employed in the public service. The Committee hopes that the objective job evaluation exercise in the public service will be finalized in the near future, and asks the Government to provide detailed information on any progress made in this regard, as well as statistics on the number of men and women in the different posts and grades of the public service, and information on their earnings. Please provide a copy of the report as soon as it becomes available.

Article 4. Cooperation with the social partners. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the National Advisory Committee on Labour has not yet addressed the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value and the need to promote the use of objective job evaluation methods. The Committee also notes the Government’s statement that some employers have taken initiatives to draw up policies on non-discrimination in any sphere of employment, including payment of earnings. The Committee asks the Government to seek actively the cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations, in particular with regard to measures to promote the use of objective job evaluation methods and to promote the inclusion of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value in the context of collective bargaining. Please provide information on any progress made in this regard, and on the outcome of the discussions held in the National Advisory Committee on Labour.

Statistical information. The Committee notes that the National Employment Services Department of the Ministry of Labour and Employment is responsible for the collection of labour market data, including information on earnings and job evaluations. The Committee also notes that the employment and earnings survey was completed in 2008. The Committee asks the Government to provide updated information on the earnings of men and women in the private sector, disaggregated by sex, in the various sectors and occupational groups, as well as a copy of the survey.