Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - France (Ratification: 1953)

1. The Committee notes the information supplied in the report of the Government concerning the evolution of the wage differential between men and women.

The Committee notes, in particular, that in 1990, the wages of women were on average 25 per cent lower than those of men in the private sector and about 17 per cent less in the public sector and that, according to the Government, the persistence of the wage gap could be explained largely by the fact that women and men continue to hold different jobs, and that they have different qualifications and responsibilities, mainly because women continue to bear the burden of family responsibilities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide statistical data showing any developments in this situation.

2. In its previous direct request, the Committee had noted that, despite the progress since 1983, a significant number of agreements adopted in recent years have not included a clause on equal remuneration, nor a clause on occupational equality more generally. The Committee hopes that the next report will contain information on further developments in this respect.

3. The Committee hopes that the next report will contain information on the activities of the Higher Council for Occupational Equality to promote the application of the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value.

4. The Committee hopes that the next report will contain information concerning any judicial decisions on questions covered by the Convention.