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

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Sweden (Ratification: 1962)

With reference to its previous direct request, the Committee notes the information supplied by the Government on the national administration programme aimed, inter alia, at increasing the proportion of women executives and facilitating workplace equity between men and women. In particular, it notes the clarifications provided by the National Agency for Government Employers (SAV) whose coordination and support role in this programme is also linked to devolving responsibility for implementing the various measures to individual authorities.

1. With reference to its request for information on the follow-up given to the report of the Government Commission on the Sami Population in so far as this affects the application of this Convention, the Committee notes that, according to the Government, on 15 December 1992 Parliament adopted the Bill incorporating several of the Government Commission's proposals, including, for example, the setting up of a 31-member authority (the Sameting) to be elected from the Sami population and which would oversee efforts to promote the Sami language, participate in public planning so as to ensure that consideration is given to Sami needs (such as for reindeer breeding) and disseminate information on Sami affairs. The Committee asks the Government to keep it informed of the activities of the Sameting concerning discrimination in employment and occupation, in particular any role it has in promoting the national policy of equality of opportunity and treatment, in accordance with Article 3 (a) of the Convention.

2. The Committee notes the information supplied concerning the AMU (Employment Training) Group activities at the county level. Noting that these bodies have an important role to play in consultative functions at that level, and in view of the information supplied by the Federation of Swedish County Councils to the effect that the current central-level collective agreement gives local county councils the opportunity to conclude local agreements on, for example, aspects of discrimination but none have been concluded to date, the Committee once again asks the Government to provide information on how the promotion of equality in employment is treated in these activities and in any new county-level collective agreements.

3. The Committee notes that the Work Environment and Rehabilitation Act (1990/91:140) came into force on 1 July 1991 and concerns, inter alia, the differences remaining between the working conditions of men and women. The Committee requests the Government to supply a copy of the Act with its next report.