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

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Bangladesh (Ratification: 1972)

With reference to its previous direct requests, the Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report.

1. Regarding the statistical breakdown showing that women hold a much lower percentage of posts than men in certain government services, the Committee notes the Government's statement that before Bangladesh's independence in 1971, the female literacy rate was very low and women were less interested in taking employment and that since then, the literacy rate for women has been increasing and they are now taking employment in all sectors, including education. The Committee requests the Government to continue supplying detailed information on the obstacles to women's increased participation in these sectors and would appreciate it if the Government would indicate in its next report the specific steps taken or contemplated to increase girls' entrance into primary and secondary schools or other educational or training programmes in order to promote and diversify women's occupational and employment opportunities.

The Committee also notes the Government's statement that the quota reserving government jobs for women has been increased from 10 per cent to 15 per cent and that 60 per cent of teaching posts will be reserved for women. The Committee would appreciate receiving information on further developments in this regard, including further copies of annual reports of the Ministry of Education, or of other government services demonstrating the entrance of more women into posts.

The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on further measures being taken or contemplated to promote equality of opportunity between men and women in employment, particularly in relation to access to employment and conditions of work in the private sector.

2. Regarding the recent increase in the upper age limit for entering into employment under the Government/Semi-Government/Autonomous/Nationalized Establishments Regulation to 30 years of age for both men and women, and noting that there is no immediate data available on the impact this has had on the employment of women in such establishments, the Committee requests the Government to include in its future reports, copies of any other law or regulations imposing an upper age limit in respect of employment in any sector of the economy. It also requests the Government to provide available information on the practical effect on the employment of women of extending the upper age limit to 30 years of age.

3. The Committee notes that Rule 14 of the (East Pakistan) Minimum Wages Rules, 1961, stipulates: "In fixing minimum rates of wages, the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value shall be applied." In this regard, the Committee refers to paragraphs 118 and 119 of its 1988 General Survey on Equality in Employment and Occupation in which it recalls the connection between the principle of Convention No. 111 and the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value without discrimination based on sex. Accordingly, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the specific measures taken or contemplated to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation including the area of wages and remuneration, with a view to eliminating discrimination on the grounds set out in the Convention, particularly on the basis of sex. Noting that data on the level of wages actually paid to men and to women and the percentage of female and male workers in each class of work in plantations is not, according to the Government, compiled and available, the Committee would nevertheless repeat its request for any empirical data on employment in the nationalized plantations so as to be able to assess the practical application of the principle of non-discrimination in employment. While noting the Government's statement that the parties to collective agreements normally retain copies of them and that therefore the Government cannot provide copies of them, the Committee refers to Article 3(a) of the Convention requiring ratifying States to seek the cooperation of employers' and workers' organizations in promoting the observance of the national policy of equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation and trusts that contacts in this context might help secure copies of collective agreements fixing minimum wages in other sectors of the economy. In addition, it would appreciate receiving copies of any recent recommendations of the Minimum Wages Board established under the Minimum Wages Ordinance, No. XXXIX of 1961.

4. The Committee also would be grateful for information in the Government's next report on the promotional activities of the Ministry of Establishment and the Department of Women's Affairs which concern the provisions of the Convention and would appreciate receiving any reports, studies or documents published by these bodies.