Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Iceland (Ratification: 1958)

The Committee notes with interest the detailed information supplied in the Government's report and the documentation annexed thereto.

1. The Committee notes with particular interest the Wages and Terms Agreement of May 1989 concluded between the Icelandic Federation of Labour and the Confederation of Icelandic Employers and the City of Reykjavik. In connection with Annex III of the Agreement, the Committee would appreciate receiving information on the action being taken to increase the proportion of women in the administrative positions of companies, and in more responsible and highly paid posts generally. It would also request the Government to provide information on any findings and recommendations of the discussion group which was to have been appointed by the parties to examine the question of wage differentials between men and women.

2. The Committee notes from the extract of the report of the National Economic Institute (NEI) (The Earnings Differential between Men and Women, January 1989) that the gap between male and female earnings had decreased only slightly in recent years and that female-dominated professions were generally lower paid than those dominated by men. It further notes that the study was, through lack of detailed information, unable to determine whether and to what extent factors like working time, education, job training and experience accounted for the earnings gap; or whether the disparity could be explained by the differing nature of particular jobs traditionally associated with men and women, or was due to discrimination. The Committee would request the Government to provide information on any action taken pursuant to the study and, in particular, to indicate whether the survey of living conditions undertaken in spring 1989 provided sufficient additional data to better explain the causes of the earnings differential. The Committee also notes the emphasis placed on increasing research and developing statistical data on equality in the Action Plan for Nordic Co-operation on Equality between Women and Men 1989-1993, and requests the Government to continue to supply information concerning implementation of the Plan. Referring to its previous comment, the Committee would also request the Government to report on any progress made towards conducting a new appraisal of jobs, particularly with a view to revising the appraisal of traditional women's occupations on the one hand, and jobs generally performed by men on the other.

3. The Committee notes that pursuant to section 5 of the Equal Status and Equal Rights of Women and Men Act No. 65/1985, the Government decided, in May 1988, that ministries and government institutions each prepare a four-year action programme for equality between the sexes (January 1989 to December 1992). It notes with interest that to be included among the General Objectives of such plans (as has already been done, for example, in that of the Ministry of Social Affairs) is a commitment to equality as concerns perquisites, overtime payments and the use of cars. Since reference was made to the unequal distribution of untaxed benefits in the NEI's study, the Committee would request the Government to indicate whether special measures are being taken or are contemplated by, for example, the Equal Status Council to address this particular problem in the private sector of employment.