Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Cabo Verde (Ratification: 1979)

1. Article 1 of the Convention. Substance and scope of protection. The Committee noted in its previous comment that section 30(m) of Act No. 101/iv/93 of 31 December 1993 refers explicitly to the right of workers to equal remuneration for equal work. Due to the ambiguity of the term "equal work", which may be interpreted either narrowly or broadly, the Committee had asked the Government to specify whether in practice, in accordance with Article 1 of the Convention, equal remuneration is paid not only for the same work but also for work which is different but nevertheless of equal value. The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain a reply to this request. It asks the Government to provide this information with its next report and to consider amending the Act to ensure that men and women workers have the right to equal remuneration for work of equal value in accordance with the Convention.

2. Article 2. Fixation of wage rates. The Committee notes that once again the Government indicates it its report that no rates of remuneration are expressly laid down in domestic law. The Committee asks the Government to supply information on the manner in which wages are fixed and to provide collective agreements and public sector wage classifications.

3. Article 3. Job evaluation. The Committee notes again that the Government indicates in its report that no system of job evaluation is in place for the objective appraisal of jobs. It also notes that job descriptions and wages are by law subject to review by workers’ representatives. It asks the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure that the objective of an equal valuation for men and women for work of equal value is achieved in any wage fixing or review process, such as through the undertaking of a gender analysis.

4. Part III of the report form. Enforcement. The Committee takes note of the Government’s statement indicating that there is no body specifically entrusted to administer the application of the Convention. It asks the Government to provide information on the activities the Social Cooperation Council carried out in the public sector in order to ensure the application of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value. The Committee also asks the Government to provide information on the activities of the Labour Inspectorate to ensure the application of that principle.

5. Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government stating that progress has been made to reduce the remuneration gap between men and women. The Committee reminds the Government that it requires statistical information showing the distribution of men and women at the different levels and in positions of responsibility in the public service and if possible also in the private service, in order to enable the Committee to examine whether women are equally represented at the middle and higher levels of employment. The Committee reminds the Government to refer to its general observation of 1998 concerning statistics and points out that it may always have recourse to the technical assistance of the ILO in the field of labour statistics.