Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Belarus (Ratification: 1956)

The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report. It particularly notes that, according to the report, "statistical data of the average monthly wages, with the breakdown by sex and branches of economy, in December 2001, as well as the data on the share of men and women, who occupy managerial posts, by the branches of economy, by the end of 2001" were to have been forwarded to it. The Committee informs the Government that this information was not in fact received.

1. The Committee notes from the report that, pursuant to sections 462 and 464 of the Labour Code, duly authorized state bodies supervise and exercise control over the observance of labour laws, and that these bodies cooperate in this regard with trade unions. However, the Committee notes that the report contains no further specific information regarding any measures undertaken, including promotion and enforcement, with respect to the provisions of national legislation that mandate equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value (including section 57 of the Labour Code and article 42 of the Constitution, in conjunction with the definition of remuneration in sections 61 and 66 of the Labour Code). Accordingly, the Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide such specific information in its next report.

2. The Committee notes that it has received no updated information relating to the wage gap as between men and women. It asks the Government to provide relevant up-to-date data indicating whether any further reduction of the wage gap has been achieved. In this connection, the Committee reiterates once again its request to the Government to indicate whether there are any studies or statistical data available that might indicate factors contributing to any such wage gap that continues to exist, and to forward any such materials. In this connection it refers the Government to its general observation of 1998.

3. The Committee once again recalls that an objective and analytical technique to measure the relative value of jobs with different contents is essential to eradicate gender-based wage discrimination. In this regard, it notes the information in the report that "tariff rates and scales are differentiated in terms of complexity of work done and professional skill of all workers" on the basis of the single wage scale. It notes also that national wage rates are determined on the basis of tariff coefficients of this single wage scale as well as on the basis of tariff rates of the first category, with participation from trade unions. Finally, the Committee notes the illustrative example provided in the report, according to which "a knitter (an exclusively female occupation) and a test driver, a driver of military and special vehicles, a blacksmith/stamp operator are equalled to the categories 2-6, a sewing-machine operator and a pipe bender, a gas cutter - to the categories 1-5". The Committee notes, however, that the Government has not provided any information as to the criteria or methodology used to establish these classifications to ensure that the single wage scale and job appraisals give equal consideration to the factors present in jobs, which tend to be undertaken by women, so as to ensure against undervaluation of their work. The Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide such information.

4. The Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide specific information, in the context of the work of the National Council on Labour and Social Matters and otherwise, as appropriate, on any tripartite action taken to promote the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value.