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

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Dominica (Ratification: 1983)

1. Legislation. The Committee notes that the Industrial Relations Advisory Committee was to discuss the CARICOM model legislation under its 2006–07 workplan with a view to providing advice on the areas in which the national legislation needed to be amended. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the outcome of these discussions and the advice given by the Industrial Relations Advisory Committee with regard to the CARICOM model legislation on equality of opportunity and treatment, including sexual harassment.

2. Gender equality. The Committee notes that a National Policy and Action Plan for gender equality and equity was approved by the Government in June 2006. The Committee asks the Government to provide a copy of the National Policy and Action Plan and to indicate the specific measures taken or envisaged under the Action Plan to promote women’s equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation, including access to education and training. Please continue to provide statistical information on the participation of men and women in training and employment in the different areas and sectors.

3. Ethnic minorities. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that no statistical data was available on the number of Caribs participating in training and employment. The Government states that the Caribs enjoy the same rights and privileges granted to everyone and that it did not yet see the importance of disaggregating such data. The Committee considers that the collection and analysis of data concerning the participation of ethnic minorities is crucial to assessing not only whether the members of these groups enjoy their equality rights in practice but also any progress made in this regard over time. The Committee requests the Government to give further consideration to taking measures to assess the situation of the Caribs and other ethnic minorities in respect of training and employment and to indicate any further measures taken or envisaged in this regard.

4. Cooperation with workers’ and employers’ organizations. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken, in consultation with the employers’ and workers’ organizations, to promote the acceptance and observance of the national policy designed to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation.