Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

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

1. The Committee notes that a tripartite Labour Law Review Committee and its subcommittee have been established to review and amend the Labour Code, and that their recommendation has been submitted to the Government. The Committee trusts that the revision of the Labour Code will include a prohibition of discrimination as defined in Article 1 of the Convention and that the Government will inform the Office of progress made in the adoption process and supply a copy of the text upon adoption.

2. Further to previous comments, the Committee notes an increase in the literacy rate: 54.6 per cent for men and 42.5 per cent for women at the end of 2000. The Committee notes that, despite the progress, the literacy gap between men and women remains constant. It also notes the efforts reported on by the Government to increase the literacy and education levels of men and women, girls and boys. It further notes a rise in enrolment in primary and secondary schools, especially for girls. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the enrolment rates for education as well as statistical data and information on the efforts made to enhance the literacy rate and education level of girls and women. Further, noting that no reply has been provided on the measures taken to improve educational curricula that often reflected the traditional roles of men and women, the Committee must again ask the Government for information on progress made to increase gender sensitiveness of the educational curricula. Finally, the Committee recalls that in previous reports the Government declared that it took measures to reach its target of ensuring that females were 60 per cent of all recruitment for primary-school teachers. The Committee notes that the latest data (1997-98) show that only 26.8 per cent of primary-school teachers are women but that the Government hopes to reach 40 per cent of female teachers by 2002. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken to promote women’s employment as schoolteachers, including in primary schools.

3. Recalling that training and vocational guidance are of paramount importance, in that they determine the actual possibilities of gaining access to employment and occupation, the Committee would appreciate receiving information on the measures taken by the Government to strengthen women’s access to vocational training and guidance. Please also supply information on measures taken to improve women’s terms and conditions of employment.

4. In its previous comments the Committee noted the 1993 data on women’s participation in the public sector, and requested more up-to-date statistics. The Committee recalls the very low level of women’s participation in the public sector, with women only filling 7 per cent of the officers’ ranks, 10 per cent of the staff positions and 5 per cent of the low-level positions in the public service. Further, from an ILO study undertaken in Bangladesh, the Committee notes that in 1995-97, women comprised 8.56 per cent of the labour force in public and autonomous bodies in the formal private sector. Noting that neither information nor statistical data on women’s participation in the public sector were provided in the Government’s report, the Committee once again asks the Government to supply full information on the measures taken to ensure that women can actively participate in the public sector and at higher levels of decision-making.

5. The Committee noted, in its previous observations, that women workers were concentrated in export-oriented labour-intensive industries that absorb mostly unskilled and low-paid labour. In this regard, the Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report on minimum wages for unskilled labour, that is applicable to both men and women. Nevertheless, it notes the Government’s statement that the "garment industry employs mostly women due to the nature of jobs, which suit them". The Committee also notes that the overwhelming majority of women are working in the informal economy. The Committee is concerned that negative stereotypes and attitudes on women’s participation in the labour market result in a perpetuation of sex-based job segregation and exclusion. Therefore, the Committee urges the Government to consider undertaking positive measures in order to enhance women’s training, skill development and access to jobs in different sectors of activity. Further, the Committee would appreciate receiving information on the educational and awareness-raising programmes established to secure the acceptance and observance of the principle set forth in the Convention. Please also provide statistical data on women’s employment in the private sector, which would allow the Committee to assess the application of the Convention.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.