Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

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

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

1. For many years, the Committee has asked the Government to supply information on the measures being taken to overcome the obstacles to women's increased participation in employment. It has also sought information on the elimination of sex-based discrimination in vocational training, access to and terms and conditions of employment. In its last report, the Government had indicated that the literacy level of women had been rising since the country became independent, in 1971, and that women were now taking up employment in all sectors, including education. It had also referred to the quotas for women in the public service and in teaching. Among measures being taken to promote the economic well-being of women, the Government's most recent report mentions the upgrading of the pertinent department to the level of a Ministry (and Directorate) of Women and Child Affairs, the introduction of universal primary education and the allocation of funds for stipends especially for female candidates at the primary and secondary school levels.

2. However, the Committee notes from the report of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (UN document CEDAW/A/48/38 of 28 May 1993) that the female literacy rate stood at only 16 per cent in 1993. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the literacy rate of them, and on specific measures being taken to improve female literacy and the results obtained. It also asks the Government to indicate whether these efforts have improved women's access to jobs in both the private and public sectors. As the Government's report contains no comment about the measures taken, or results achieved concerning the effect of reserving posts for women (15 per cent in respect of government posts and 60 per cent for teaching jobs), the Committee hopes that information on this matter, together with any annual reports of the relevant ministries, will be provided in the next report.

3. The Committee also notes, from the above-mentioned report of the United Nations, that the Fourth Five-Year Plan (1990-95) contained strategies to integrate women into the mainstream of sector-based planning, in order to reduce gender disparities. These included a women's credit programme, promotion of female entrepreneurship, skill development training programmes for different trades, and poverty alleviation programmes for women to become involved in income-generating activities. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the results obtained by these strategies and to indicate whether any of these, or other measures, are being considered for inclusion in the forthcoming Fifth Five-Year Plan.

4. The Committee is addressing a request directly to the Government on certain other points.