Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Madagascar (Ratification: 1962)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report in reply to its previous direct requests.

1. The Committee notes that the Government is planning a reform of the Labour Code of 1975 with the cooperation of the National Labour Council which has set up a special committee to examine, in particular, conditions of work including wages. The Committee hopes that the Government will take into consideration its previous comments on the application of the Convention and trusts that the new Labour Code will ensure application of the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value, and not only for the same work as is presently the case under section 61 of the Labour Code. It would be grateful if the Government would keep it informed of any progress made in this respect.

2. The Committee notes that, according to the Government, it is very difficult for the time being, in view of the limited resources available, to conduct the necessary surveys for an objective appraisal of jobs. It requests the Government to endeavour, with the cooperation of employers' and workers' organizations, enterprises and any other appropriate body, to collect and analyse statistical data and to set up a system for evaluating jobs on the basis of the work to be performed, in accordance with Articles 3 and 4 of the Convention. It would be grateful if the Government would indicate in its next report the measures taken or contemplated to this end and any results obtained.

3. As regards the application of the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value, the Committee notes that workers or their trade unions can refer disputes, including disputes over job classification, to the labour inspectorate or labour tribunal. The Committee notes, however, that the Government provides no examples of such supervisory activities. It therefore asks the Government to provide in its next report information on complaints recorded and any reported cases of failure to observe the principle of the Convention, as well as on the remedial measures taken, or any other measures adopted or contemplated, to ensure and promote the effective application of the Convention.

4. The Committee notes from the Government's report that, of the 172,632 permanent jobs, 28,910 are held by women, i.e. less than 17 per cent of the total, and would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply such information, specifying the number of men and women at the various levels of the public service and public and private enterprises employing a large number of women.