Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Poland (Ratification: 1961)

1. Article 2 of the Convention. Equality of opportunity and treatment irrespective of race, colour and national extraction. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that an analysis of the labour market situation of migrants, refugees and members of the Roma community, which was carried out under the national programme to counteract racial discrimination, showed that none of the labour offices had received any complaints relating to discrimination on the grounds of national or ethnic origin. The Committee also notes that the national programme envisages the development of materials for job seekers and workers concerning available legal protection from ethnic discrimination and the implementation of a system to monitor equal treatment of migrants, refugees and ethnic minorities in respect of access to employment, vocational training, remuneration, social security and trade unions. The data provided by the Government concerning the economic activity and labour market status of persons identifying themselves as belonging to an ethnic group (2002 National Population and Housing Census) indicates that almost half of these persons are economically inactive and 17.4 per cent of those who are economically active are registered as unemployed. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the abovementioned and other measures to promote and ensure equality of opportunity and treatment of members of ethnic minorities in employment and occupation, including information on the results of the projects facilitating entry and re-entry into the labour market referred to in the report. Please also supply updated statistical information on the labour market situation of the different ethnic minority groups.

2. The Committee notes from the statistical information provided by the Government that the employment situation of the Roma remains serious. In 2005, the unemployment rates established by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration for a number of voivodships was between 54.5 per cent and 99.5 per cent. According to the 2002 National Population and Housing Census, only 8.3 per cent of the Roma population were working as employees, employers or own-account workers. The Government states that the programme in favour of the Roma community in Poland, therefore, focused on vocational training and guidance, as well as the creation of new jobs, including subsidized jobs for members of the Roma community. According to the report, the number of Roma taking part in these schemes increased considerably in 2005. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the specific measures taken to promote equal employment opportunities for members of the Roma community. In this regard, please provide information concerning the number of Roma that have benefited from subsidized jobs and vocational training and guidance, as well as indications on the number of Roma who subsequently found regular employment or became self-employed.

3. Equality of opportunity and treatment of women and men. The Committee notes that a number of projects are being implemented by the Government with a view to strengthening gender equality in the labour market. One awareness-raising programme aims at facilitating women’s re-entry into the labour market after childbirth, while another project addresses the role of men in achieving gender equality and work-family balance through participation in child rearing. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to promote gender equality in the labour market, as well as the results achieved by the various projects and programmes. It also requests the Government to provide detailed statistical information on the distribution of men and women in the different areas of economic activity and occupations, as well as the participation of men and women in decision-making positions.

4. Equality of opportunity and treatment of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government outlining the legal and policy framework promoting equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation of persons with disabilities. The Committee particularly notes the activities of the Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for Disabled Persons to promote the employment of disabled persons, including information campaigns targeting human resource managers in the public administration and disabled students. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide such information on the measures taken to promote equal employment opportunities of persons with disabilities, including on the results secured by such action.

5. Enforcement. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the activities carried out by the competent authorities to supervise and enforce the anti-discrimination legislation, including indicating the number, subject matter and outcome of the complaints or court cases received and dealt with.