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

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Jordan (Ratification: 1963)

1. Sexual harassment. Referring to its previous request for information on the specific measures taken to prevent and protect against sexual harassment in law or in policy, the Committee notes that section 162 of Civil Service Act No. 55 of 2002 requires the dismissal of an employee if he or she is convicted of a felony or a crime contrary to public morals. The Government further reiterates the relevant provisions in the Penal Code and the Labour Code concerning acts against public morals. The Committee recalls that under the Convention sexual harassment is considered a prohibited form of sex discrimination in employment and occupation, which may require special measures of prevention and protection. While the current legal provisions may be a first step towards greater protection against sexual harassment, the Committee considers that these provisions are unlikely to provide sufficient protection against all forms of sexual harassment as outlined in its general observation of 2002. It, therefore, encourages the Government to examine whether the current provisions are adequately addressing all forms of sexual harassment in the workplace, and to provide information on any court cases based on the abovementioned provisions involving charges of sexual harassment and their outcomes. The Committee also reiterates its request to the Government to provide information on any educational and awareness-raising measures to prevent and protect against sexual harassment in the workplace.

2. Equal access of women to employment and occupation. The Committee notes that the 1997 Ordinance issued by the Minister of Labour under section 69 of the Labour Code prohibiting women from working during certain times and from undertaking certain tasks has not yet been revised or amended. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it will notify the Committee once an amendment has been made, and requests the Government to keep it informed of any legislative developments.

3. Working Women’s Department. The Committee notes the general information provided by the Government on the training and monitoring activities of the Working Women’s Department relating to the National Project for the Employment of Women and Workers in the Manufacturing Industry. It notes that the results from the monitoring activities indicate that the main reasons women leave their employment include marriage, studies, family care, or the objection of parents to regional job mobility, as well as dismissal due to absence or low productivity. The Committee encourages the Government to continue to provide information on the activities of the Working Women’s Department, and requests it to indicate in its next report the specific measures taken, and results achieved, to address the underlying reasons for women leaving employment. It reiterates its request to the Government to provide more detailed information, including statistics, on the specific impact of the National Project on the Employment of Women on improving the economic situation of women in marginalized areas. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information regarding the measures taken or envisaged to address stereotypical attitudes pervasive in society, including any educational or awareness campaigns taking place or envisaged.