Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156) - Paraguay (Ratification: 2007)

Article 3 of the Convention. National policy. The Committee notes the process for the development of the National Care Policy and System of Paraguay under the National Social Protection System, for which a framework document and a preliminary bill have been drafted. The Committee notes that the National Care Policy framework document recognizes the importance of taking into account the country’s multicultural diversity and of including specific proposals from an intercultural and human-rights based perspective. The Committee further observes that the National Plan for Equality between Women and Men (2018–2024) identifies the heavy burden of family responsibilities, both reproductive and care-related, borne by women as an obstacle to empowerment in decision-making, and establishes as an objective the equal distribution of responsibilities in the family, through initiatives by public institutions and private enterprises. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on:

• (i)progress achieved in the institution-building process of the National Care Policy and System of Paraguay; and
• (ii)any other measures in place with a view to giving full effect to this Article of the Convention and the results obtained, especially with regard to promoting the equal distribution of care and family responsibilities between men and women. 

Article 4. Equality in terms and conditions of employment. The Committee notes the adoption of Decree No. 7550 of 2017 regulating Law No. 5508 and providing for the establishment of breastfeeding rooms in workplaces, as well as the preliminary bill establishing a compulsory leave from work scheme for the care of children and adolescents with a serious health condition or serious illness. Furthermore, the Government refers to Decision No. 080-012/18, pursuant to which the children of insured workers who have reached the age of majority and who have a disability can continue to be covered by Social Security by submitting a sworn statement before the date on which they reach the age of 18 years. With regard to the statistical information requested by the Committee, the Committee observes that the platform Atlas de Género (Gender Atlas) to which the report refers does not contain information on the number of workers with family responsibilities who make use of the measures to which this Article refers. The Committee requests the Government to provide information and statistical data, disaggregated by sex, that would make it possible to assess the impact of the measures adopted with a view to enabling men and women workers with family responsibilities to enjoy the same opportunities as other workers, such as flexible working time measures, part-time work, work from home or leave to care for dependent children or other members of their immediate family who need their care or support. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the preliminary bill establishing a compulsory leave from work scheme for the care of children and adolescents with a serious health condition or serious illness and to send a copy of the law once adopted.

Article 5. Services and facilities for the care of children and other family members. The Committee notes Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MTESS) Decision No. 519/18 regulating section 134 of the Labour Code on the provision of childcare facilities in workplaces or through outsourced enterprises, as well as the existence of Child and Family Welfare Centres (CEBINFA) and of municipal creches in Asunción. The Committee further notes the assistance provided by the Women’s City service and the establishment of workplace creches in selected public institutions. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the specific measures adopted to establish community services, public or private, for the care of other members of the family.

Article 6. Appropriate measures to promote broader understanding of the principle of equality of opportunity and treatment for men and women workers and of the problems of workers with family responsibilities. The Committee notes that the MTESS disseminates information on women’s rights through materials such as the Bill of Rights. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the awareness-raising and information measures adopted.

Article 7. Vocational guidance and training. The Committee notes the existence of the Public Employment Service Job Board, which offers courses to upgrade workers’ skills, the Entrepreneurship Training Centre and a labour exchange. The Committee refers to paragraph 116 of its General Survey of 1993 regarding flexibility in the design, delivery and location of training courses in order to accommodate the needs of workers with family responsibilities. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the specific vocational guidance and training measures adopted to ensure that workers with family responsibilities can become and remain integrated in the labour force, as well as re-enter it after an absence due to family responsibilities.

Article 9. Collective agreements. The Committee notes that, since 2021, MTESS has been broadcasting Cómo mejorar la negociación colectiva en Paraguay (How to enhance collective bargaining in Paraguay) on the Citizens’ Channel and including the suggestion to incorporate topics linked to family responsibilities in collective bargaining processes. The Committee encourages the Government to continue promoting the inclusion of matters related to equality for workers with family responsibilities in collective agreements, and to provide information on any developments. The Committee further requests the Government to provide copies of collective agreements, where possible.