Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Tunisia (Ratification: 1968)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government on wage-fixing methods and the national legislation enshrining the principle of equal remuneration for men and women.

1. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government regarding the number of visits, return visits, notices to comply and reports of infringements concerning wages, concerning agricultural enterprises in 1995. It requests the Government to indicate whether any of the eight reports of infringements made by the labour inspectors concerned infringements of the principle of equal remuneration enshrined in the Convention and, if so, what penal or administrative sanctions were imposed on the violators.

2. Noting that the Government's report does not contain a reply to the other points raised in its previous comments, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide details on the manner in which the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value is applied in agriculture with regard to wages above the minimum guaranteed agricultural wage (SMAG). It also requests information on the remuneration rates and occupational classifications determined by the committees on agricultural work set up under Decree No. 71/285 of 2 August 1971. Finally, referring to its 1990 general observation and to paragraph 248 of the 1986 General Survey on equal remuneration, the Committee emphasizes once again that without statistical data it cannot assess how the principle of equal remuneration is applied in practice. The Committee therefore expresses the hope once again that the Government will be able, in the very near future, to supply the following information:

(i) the wage scales applicable in the private and public sectors, indicating the distribution of men and women at the various levels;

(ii) statistical data on the minimum wage rates and average earnings of men and women, if possible by occupation, branch of activity, seniority and level of qualifications, together with information on the corresponding proportion of women; and

(iii) information concerning any inquiry or survey that has been undertaken or may be contemplated in order to determine the causes of wage disparities, and information concerning the measures taken or contemplated subsequently.