Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Qatar (Ratification: 1976)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report.

1. With regard to discrimination based on political opinion, which is not covered by the safeguards set out in the provisional Constitution, as amended, the Committee notes that the Government is examining the possibility of setting forth the practice of non-discrimination in an explicit provision prohibiting any discrimination on the basis of political opinion, and that the Committee's request has been forwarded to the competent services to that effect. It requests the Government to supply information on developments in this respect in its next report.

2. With regard to access to employment in the judiciary without discrimination on the basis of sex or religion, the Committee notes that three women who are nationals of Qatar are currently employed as legal advisers in the Ministry of Justice, but that no women have been appointed as magistrates. Despite the fact that, under the terms of the legislation which is in force, the conditions of access to the various positions in the judiciary are principally related to qualifications and experience, the Committee notes that there are still no women in this profession. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken or are envisaged to promote the access of women to this profession.

3. The Committee recalls that, by virtue of section 82 of the Act respecting the public service, "it is possible to terminate the employment contract of pregnant nurses at the fifth month of pregnancy and even before the date of expiry of the contract if the interests of work so require". The Committee notes the Government's statement that the above termination is optional and is only intended to protect the interests of patients. The Committee recalls that, in paragraph 41 of its 1988 General Survey on Equality in Employment and Occupation, it emphasized the discriminatory nature of distinctions made on the basis of pregnancy and confinement due to the fact that they can only affect women. The Committee notes that its comments on this subject have been forwarded for examination by the Cabinet of the Public Service. It hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures to eliminate the discrimination that is made against nurses under section 82 of the above Act. It requests the Government to supply information on this subject in its next report.

4. The Committee notes the statistics for 1991 on the distribution of men and women workers in the various jobs and occupations in the public service and the private sector. The Government emphasizes that the number of women remains well below that of men, but that women are increasingly represented in the various occupations and sectors of the economy. The Committee notes in particular that there are no women or very few women in positions of responsibility and managerial posts. It requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken or are envisaged to promote the access of women to such jobs, and the promotion possibilities which are available to them.

The Committee noted previously that women now work in certain sections of the police forces, in the airport and in the banking sector and that the technology faculty established in 1990 provides an opportunity for women to specialize in fields such as electronics, accounting and chemical, physical and biological laboratory work. The Committee once again requests the Government to indicate in its next report the jobs in which women are employed in these sectors and their number in relation to men.

5. The Committee recalls that certain schools and training institutions are still reserved for male students due to religious and social traditions which prohibit mixed teaching. It takes due note of the efforts referred to by the Government to open certain vocational training programmes to women and to develop human resources at the national level and raise the level of instruction and vocational skills. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply information on the results achieved in practice by these measures. It also requests the Government to indicate the specific measures which have been adopted or are envisaged to ensure equality between men and women in respect of vocational training and access to all types of employment and to ensure that teaching and vocational training programmes do not orient women solely towards "women's" jobs, but also give them access to jobs which are traditionally performed by men.

6. The Committee recalls that, by virtue of Article 2 of the Convention, a national policy designed to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of employment and occupation shall be declared and pursued. It requests the Government to supply information on any measure taken in this respect, as well as on any education programmes calculated to secure the acceptance and observance of the policy, in accordance with Article 3(b).