Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Guyana (Ratification: 1975)

1. Cooperation with national institutions to promote the observance of the national policy on equality. In its previous observation, the Committee noted the legislation establishing the Human Rights Commission, the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission and the Women and Gender Equality Commission, the latter which commenced its work in 2005. In the absence of any information in the Government’s report on this matter, the Committee reiterates its request to the Government to provide in its next report information on the establishment and functioning in practice of these Commissions, including information on any activities carried out and any obstacles they face to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation.

2. The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which reads as follows:

1. Discrimination based on sex. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there has been no recourse to the courts regarding sexual harassment. Noting that the absence of complaints does not indicate, per se, the absence of sexual harassment, the Committee encourages the Government to increase public awareness regarding sexual harassment, and of the procedures and mechanisms available for an aggrieved part to seek redress. […]

2. The Committee notes the various activities and programmes implemented under the Guyana National Plan of Action for Women 2000–04, including the establishment of the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute, the Gender Sensitive Initiatives of the Ministry of Education, and the training and outreach programmes. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to promote gender equality in employment and occupation in the context of the implementation of the National Action Plan for Women 2005–07, including any sensitization campaigns or promotional measures taken to enhance understanding of the importance of allowing men and women access to all jobs, including those in non-traditional areas and those in decision-making in both the private and the public sectors. Again noting the high level of educational achievement of girls, the Committee requests the Government to report how this translates into labour market outcomes for women.

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4. Discrimination based on race, colour and national extraction. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the Ethnic Relations Commission conducted various public information and outreach activities, as well as training activities and workshops. The Committee also notes that the Commission investigated 13 individual complaints of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, one of which resulted in public hearings being held and a decision being rendered. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken by the Ethnic Relations Commission to promote equal opportunities of all ethnic groups in employment and occupation, including any cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations in this regard. Please continue to provide information on the number and outcome of complaints concerning employment discrimination dealt with by the Commission.

5. Equality of opportunity and treatment of indigenous peoples. The Committee reiterates its request to the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken to promote equal opportunity and treatment of men and women from indigenous communities in employment and occupation. Please include information on any results achieved in promoting balanced representation in vocational training and in the widest range of economic activities and work.

6. Statistical information. The Committee requests the Government to provide statistics on the participation of men and women and the different ethnic groups in the labour market, including the results of the Guyana Labour Market Study conducted in 2005.