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

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Cyprus (Ratification: 1968)

With reference to its previous direct request, the Committee notes the information, including the statistical data, contained in the Government's report.

1. The Committee notes with interest the information provided on the measures undertaken in pursuance of a national policy designed to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment between men and women, such as the employment orientation programmes conducted by the Industrial Training Authority (ITA), in consultation and cooperation with women's, employers' and workers' organizations, to familiarize unemployed women with the world of work and to accord them an opportunity to discuss and resolve individual problems related to the factors hindering their entry into the labour market. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information on these programmes, including the results achieved, and on any other activities designed to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation for women.

2. The Committee notes from the latest statistics provided that women's participation in ITA training courses has improved. It also notes the Government's indication that the ITA has designated women as a priority target group for management training so as to increase the number of women managers and to enable them to combine their work and family responsibilities. The Committee requests the Government to continue supplying information on all progress achieved with regard to women's participation in ITA courses, particularly management training and development programmes.

3. Further to its previous comments on women in public employment, the Committee notes from the latest data provided that women have continued to improve their situation in the public sector (excluding manual labour). In particular, it notes with interest that the number of women who are either professionals or hold administrative/management posts in government services (excluding education) has continued to increase steadily and that a woman was recently appointed to the senior post of Director of Industry in the Ministry of Commerce. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information, including statistical data, in this respect as well as details on other measures being taken in practice to improve the situation of women's employment at all levels of the public sector.

4. Referring to its previous request for data on the participation of women in the private sector and on any measures being taken or contemplated to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment for private sector female employees, and noting the Government's indication that this information will be forwarded separately, the Committee hopes that the data requested will be provided with the next Government report.