Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Cameroon (Ratification: 1970)

The Committee notes the observations of the General Union of Workers of Cameroon (UGTC) received in 2018.

Articles 1(b) and 2(2)(b) of the Convention. Equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value. Legislation. The Committee previously noted that section 61(2) of the Labour Code, which makes payment of an equal wage contingent on there being “equal conditions of work and skill”, was too restrictive to give effect to the concept of “work of equal value”, which must enable comparisons of types of work that are completely different. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that this issue will be raised in the context of the ongoing revision of the Labour Code. The Committee once again requests the Government to take steps without delay to ensure that the legislative provisions reflect the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value, as established by the Convention, and to provide information of any progress in this regard.

Articles 2(2)(c) and 4. Collective agreements. Cooperation with social partners. In its previous comments, the Committee repeatedly asked the Government to provide information on the measures taken to remove discriminatory clauses from collective agreements (in particular clause 70 of the Cameroon Railway Company (CAMRAIL) collective agreement). It notes the Government’s indications that measures have been taken to suggest to the competent authorities that they amend the CAMRAIL collective agreement. Noting that there is no indication in the Government’s report that the CAMRAIL collective agreement has actually been amended, the Committee requests the Government to cooperate with the social partners to ensure that the collective agreements in force, including the CAMRAIL collective agreement, do not contain any discriminatory provisions and to provide information regarding any developments in this regard. In its previous comments, the Committee also asked the Government to encourage the social partners to negotiate collective agreements in the light of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value. The Committee notes the observations of the UGTC and the Government’s indication that collective agreements have been negotiated and adopted in accordance with this principle. The Committee notes in particular the adoption in 2017 of the national collective agreement for insurance and the national collective agreement for commerce, but observes that these do not contain any explicit provisions on the principle of equal pay. In this regard, the Committee recalls that, even where the State does not intervene in the wage-fixing process, it must promote the full application of the principle established by the Convention by taking vigorous and proactive measures and it must act in good faith (see the 2012 General Survey on the fundamental Conventions, paragraphs 669–670). The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide information on the proactive measures adopted or envisaged, according to the national context, to give effect to the principle of equal remuneration in the context of negotiation of collective agreements, for example by developing a standard clause on equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value for inclusion in all collective agreements.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.