Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Cyprus (Ratification: 1987)

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government's report, including the statistical data provided.

1. The Committee notes that the national mean and median monthly rates of remuneration set forth in the statistical tables supplied by the Government reflect a continuing reduction in the wage gap between men and women workers in Cyprus. In 1984, women's mean monthly rate of pay was only 60 per cent of men's. By 1996, women's mean monthly rate of pay had increased to 72 per cent of the corresponding rate for men. Similarly, in 1984, women's median monthly rate of pay was 61 per cent of men's. By 1996, that figure had risen to 70 per cent. The Committee notes this progress with interest and hopes that the Government will continue to provide statistical information in its future reports along the lines requested in the Committee's previous general observation on the Convention.

2. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that considerable progress had been made towards the elimination of wage discrimination in collective agreements for the clothing and metal goods industries. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information on developments in the abovementioned sectors, as well as in other sectors, including the footwear, soft drink, construction and woodwork industries where less progress had been reported. The Government is also asked to provide copies of the pay scales and job classifications contained in the collective agreements for these industries.

3. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government with regard to the consultations held between the social partners and chaired by the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, concerning the practical measures to be taken to implement the principle of the Convention more effectively. Specifically, the Committee notes with interest the social partners' undertaking to continue their efforts through collective bargaining to eliminate the use of gender-based pay differences in collective agreements as well as the possible establishment of a committee on equality. The Committee also notes with interest the proposed amendments to Act No. 158 of 1989 on Equal Remuneration, which would give the Council of Ministers authority to issue regulations defining the power and duties of inspectors appointed under the Act. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide a copy of the amended Act and Regulations, once they are adopted. It hopes that the Government will continue to supply information, in its future reports, regarding the practical measures for implementation of the Convention developed through the abovementioned consultations.