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

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Saudi Arabia (Ratification: 1978)

1. Statistical information. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that studies published by the Department of Public Statistics and the Ministry of Economy have not been able to identify any gender pay discrimination, but that currently there are no available statistics on the subject. The Committee wishes to draw the Government’s attention to its 1998 general observation in which it emphasizes the importance of gathering and analysing statistics on salary levels, disaggregated by sex, in order to permit the Committee to evaluate adequately the nature, extent and causes of the salary differentials between men and women. The Committee hopes that the Government will begin to gather statistical information on the wages and conditions of women, disaggregated by sex, and that it will provide them with its next report.

2. Training programmes. The Committee notes from the attached documentation that the General Administration Institute provides general training programmes for men and women, and that statistical information is provided on the number of women graduating between 1999 and 2003. It further notes that the Chamber of Industry and Commerce carries out training programmes for men and women in the private sector. However, the Committee would like to draw the Government’s attention to the fact that inequalities and disparities that may exist in practice between the wages of men and women workers often result from a number of factors, such as lower, less appropriate and less career-oriented education, training and skills levels for women; horizontal and vertical occupational segregation of women into lower paying jobs or occupations and lower level positions without promotion opportunities; household and family responsibilities being primarily borne by women and pay structures (see General Report of the Committee on the Application of International Labour Standards, 2001, paragraph 40). The Committee asks the Government to provide more detailed information with its next report about any promotional campaigns or training sessions it may have held to develop the awareness of workers and employers on the importance of promoting the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value. It also reiterates the request it has made to the Government for many years now to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to promote the application of Order No. 37 of 9 February 1994 (1415H) with the cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations.

3. Labour inspections. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the central administration for labour inspection at the Ministry of Labour is responsible for the labour inspections that are carried out, including the application of Order No. 37 of 9 February 1994 (1415H), which reflects the principle of equal remuneration, though it refers only to situations in which "conditions and circumstances of the work are the same". It recalls the importance of comparing the value of jobs that are different, especially in labour that is segregated by sex as in Saudi Arabia (see comments on Convention No. 111). The Committee asks the Government to provide detailed information with its next report on the activities carried out and methods used by the labour inspection service to promote and ensure the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value. The Committee also asks the Government to provide information with its next report on the procedures available for lodging complaints of unequal treatment in both the private and public sectors, and the outcome of any complaints that have been made relating to the principle of equal remuneration.

4. Revision of the Labour Code. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the draft Labour Code is currently under consideration within the Shoura Council and that the Government will provide the Office with a copy once it has been promulgated. The Committee expresses its hope that the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value will be embodied in the new Labour Code.