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

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Burkina Faso (Ratification: 1969)

1. Article 2 of the Convention. Promotion of the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value. Recalling the adoption of a national policy for the promotion of women (Decree No. 2004-486/PRES/PM/MPF), the Committee once again asks the Government to provide with its next report a copy of this policy, as well as information on the measures taken under the policy to promote the principle of equal remuneration between men and women for work of equal value, in particular with respect to addressing the occupational segregation of women in both the public and private sectors, and the results achieved.

2. The Committee notes from the Government’s report submitted to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) (CEDAW/C/BFA/4-5, page 35) that wage discrimination occurs in the private sector. The Government indicates that measures for redress exist before the labour inspectorate and the labour courts, but that fear of the courts, lack of confidence in the magistrates, fear of losing their jobs or ignorance of their rights or procedures, limit the legal action taken by women. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to overcome these problems with a view to ensuring the effective enforcement of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value in the private sector.

3. Article 3. Objective evaluation of jobs. With respect to the establishment of a national job classification system, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that the mechanism is still not operational. Recalling that, according to a previous report, the system was to begin in 1997, the Committee urges the Government to provide information on the steps taken to put into operation the job classification system, as well as on any other initiatives in the public service or at the enterprise level to undertake objective evaluation of jobs for the purposes of wage fixing.

4. Article 4. Cooperation with the social partners. Noting once again the absence of any information regarding this point, the Committee must reiterate its request to the Government to supply information on any activities taken in cooperation with the social partners to promote the application of the Convention.

5. Part V of the report form. Statistical information. The Committee recalls its previous comments regarding the importance of collecting and analysing statistical data concerning the levels of remuneration of women and men with a view to assessing the extent, scope and nature of existing pay inequalities between men and women. The Committee requests the Government, once again, to make every effort to collect and provide such data with its next report.