Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Latvia (Ratification: 1992)

Assessment of the gender pay gap. The Committee notes from the statistics provided by the Government in its report that in the first quarter of 2008 the remuneration gap between men and women workers amounted to approximately 20.64 per cent in the public sector and 16.6 per cent in the private sector. The Committee also notes that in 2007 the gender wage gap was approximately 20.56 per cent in the public sector and 19.12 per cent in the private sector, while in 2006 it was estimated to be approximately 20 per cent and 20.87 per cent respectively. In line with the trend pointed out in its previous comments, the Committee notes that the remuneration gap continued to decrease in the private sector while increasing in the public sector. The Committee urges the Government to take the necessary steps to reduce the remuneration gap between women and men and asks it to provide full information on the measures taken or envisaged in this regard, including information on any studies conducted on the issue and their findings regarding the underlying causes for the remuneration differentials and the measures to be considered for adoption. Please also continue to provide statistical information on women’s and men’s earnings, disaggregated if possible, by economic sector, occupational category and position.

Article 2. Application by means of legislation. Public service. The Committee recalls its previous comments concerning the establishment of a new unified wage system for the public service with a view to ensuring equal remuneration for jobs of equal value. It notes from the Government’s report that some amendments were introduced to Cabinet Regulations No. 995 of 20 December 2005 laying down the principles governing the new wage system which, however, did not modify it substantially. The Committee also notes that the Government reiterates its statement that by using common criteria to determine remuneration rates for women and men, the new wage system ensures that women and men receive equal remuneration when performing work of equal value. In the absence of the information previously solicited, the Committee again asks the Government to provide information on the steps taken to ensure that the methodology applied for assessing and categorizing jobs in the context of the new wage system avoids gender bias. It also asks the Government to supply statistical information on the distribution of men and women in the various professional groups defined by such system. The Committee further asks the Government to monitor the impact of these reforms on the gender pay gap in the public sector and to submit information in this regard.

Application by means of collective agreements. The Committee notes that no information is provided in reply to its previous request on this point. The Committee again stresses the importance of ensuring that the equal pay provisions contained in collective agreements fully and correctly reflect the principle of equal remuneration as set out in the Convention. The Committee further asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken to promote equal remuneration through collective bargaining, including examples of collective agreements that address equal remuneration.

Articles 3 and 4. Objective job evaluation. The Committee reiterates its request for information on any measures taken or envisaged to promote the development and implementation of objective job evaluation methods on the basis of the work performed with a view to fostering the setting of wages without discrimination based on sex. It also asks the Government to provide information on any cooperation with workers’ and employers’ organizations in this regard.

Enforcement. The Committee notes, from the Government’s report under the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) that the functions of the former National Human Rights Office (NHRO) have been taken over by the Office of the Ombudsperson. With regard to the enforcement of the Labour Law’s provisions concerning equal remuneration through action taken by the labour inspectorate, the Committee notes from the report that according to the labour inspectorate’s database, no inspections performed related to complaints in the area of equal remuneration. While noting from the Government’s report under Convention No. 111 that labour inspectors are to receive gender equality training, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken to strengthen the capacity of labour inspectors to carry out inspections regarding compliance with the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value. It also asks the Government to continue to provide information on any cases regarding equal remuneration dealt with by the labour inspectorate on the basis of complaints or any violations identified through routine inspections. Please also provide information on any equal pay cases decided by the courts or dealt with by the Ombudsperson.