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Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Italy (RATIFICATION: 1956)

1. Legislation. The Committee notes the amendment to article 51 of the Constitution of May 2003, by virtue of which the Republic shall promote equality of opportunity between men and women through appropriate means. The first significant effect of this amendment was the enactment of Act No. 90 of 8 April 2004, promoting the presence of women in European institutions. Economic measures reinforce the application of this Act, which had the effect of increasing by 7 per cent the number of women elected at the European elections in June 2004. Among the affirmative action programmes formulated to give effect to the constitutional reform, the Government refers to the programme “Women, policies and institutions”, and courses have been organized by the Ministry for Equal Opportunities and by universities to encourage women to stand for election. Please continue to provide information on the measures adopted to give effect to the constitutional amendment and their impact in practice.

2. The Committee notes the Government’s report and the extensive information annexed thereto. In relation to the question raised in its previous direct request on the measures adopted to increase the participation of women in the labour market in full-time and higher status positions, the Committee refers to its comments on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122). With regard to differences in remuneration in atypical forms of employment, the Government refers to a study carried out by EBITEMP, a temporary work agency, based on a sample of 863 people, of whom 725 were men and 138 women. According to the study, women earn 14.9 per cent less than men. These results confirm those of the National Statistical Office (ISTAT), which show a difference of 16 per cent, irrespective of the type of employment contract. In the view of the Government, the studies show that the atypical employment sector is not affected by remuneration gaps that differ from those for other types of contract and sectors of the labour market. Please continue to supply information on the employment of women in atypical forms of work.

3. Public administration. The Committee notes that according to the Government, the number of women in executive positions rose from 48,000 in 1993 to 79,000 in 2003, or a rise of 65 per cent. Of the total number of executive positions, women represented 15 per cent in 1993 and 23 per cent in 2003. The number of women judges rose from 27 per cent in 1993 to 38 per cent in 2003. The Committee asks the Government to continue providing information on trends in the employment of women in the public sector.

4. Wage gap. The Committee notes that, according to the Società Italia Lavoro, an agency of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the wage gap between men and women has decreased over the past ten years. It is wider in the higher paid categories. The Government indicates that the Department for Equal Opportunities is developing a project with the European Social Fund to improve the living standards and independence of women with a view to reducing the wage gap. The project has four objectives: (1) improving living standards (health, services); (2) improving the access of women to the labour market; (3) improving women’s working conditions; and (4) promoting the participation of women in the creation of socio-economic activities. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the impact of the project in relation to the principle set out in the Convention.

5. The Committee notes the court decisions relating to the matters covered by the Convention and asks the Government to continue providing information in this respect.

6. The Committee notes the Government’s indications that the labour market reform undertaken by Act No. 30 of 2003 and Legislative Decree No. 276/2003 has liberalized the labour market in agriculture. In this context, employment agencies have to pay the social security contributions determined for the agricultural sector. With a view to reinforcing the protection of workers, the joint responsibility of the employment agency and the user, in relation to remuneration and contributions, was established by section 23 of Decree No. 276/2003. An important role has been given to agencies authorized by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy in promoting access to work in agriculture, thereby contributing to combating illegal work, in which workers are more exposed to exploitation in such forms as caporalato (illegal fee-charging by placement agencies). The Committee asks the Government to keep it informed of the impact of this legislation in relation to the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers in agriculture, with an indication, for instance, of trends in the regularization of illegal workers in agriculture, the degree to which the activities of agencies comply with the new legislation and, where possible, to provide statistical information on men and women working in agriculture. Please also provide information on collaboration with the social partners with a view to assessing the effectiveness and impact of Decree No. 276/2003 in relation to the matters referred to above.