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

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Barbados (Ratification: 1974)

Application of the principle through collective agreements. With respect to wage fixing by collective agreements without discrimination based on sex, the Committee notes the communication from the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB), dated 19 June 2008, on the application of the Convention, which CTUSAB submitted to the Government. The communication states that the collective agreements in force do not provide for women and men to be paid differently. According to the CTUSAB, it is widely accepted that there should not be any gender-based discrimination. The Committee further recalls its previous comments in which it had noted the Barbados Workers’ Union statement that job evaluation exercises were usually conducted by professional consultancy bodies, and the main factors used were education, skill, responsibility, accountability and working conditions. Since it was the job that is evaluated, gender was not considered in the exercise. The Committee would be grateful if the Government could submit copies of collective agreements, including their wage rates, in a wide range of sectors. It also reiterates its request to the Government to provide information on collective bargaining and job evaluation exercises, specifying their effect on wage rates.

Enforcement. The Committee recalls its previous comments in which it had noted the Government’s indication that other than in shops, the principle of equal pay for work of equal value was enforced and supervised through collective agreements and management organizations. The Committee notes that according to the CTUSAB, it is difficult to police areas where there is no union presence. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to ensure the effective enforcement and implementation of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value in areas where there is no union presence. It also reiterates its request for more detailed information regarding how, in practice, such supervision and enforcement is ensured and carried out, and asks the Government to specify whether the public authorities have any role in this regard in places of employment other than shops.

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

With regard to the tripartite Shops Wages Council, the Committee notes that the Barbados Workers’ Union has three representatives on the Council, which determines wages for this category of workers. The Committee also notes that due to the recommendations of the Council, the Government withdrew provisions that provided for a distinction in the minimum wage based on age. The Committee asks the Government to supply further information on the activities undertaken by the tripartite Shops Wages Council, in particular any measures taken with a view to reducing the remuneration gap between men and women for work of equal value.

The Committee notes the information regarding the Bureau of Gender Affairs, attached to the Government’s report under the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111). The Committee notes, however, that the information does not relate to the promotion of the principle of equal remuneration. In this context the Committee reiterates its previous request for information on specific activities carried out to reduce the remuneration gap between men and women in the performance of work of equal value.

The Committee notes the statistics provided by the Government on the number of regular sugar workers (in the field and factories) for the years 2000–02. The Committee notes that, according to these statistics, the number of female workers decreased significantly during that period. The Committee regrets however, that the statistics do not contain any information on the various wage categories in the plantation sector, and therefore reiterates its request for updated statistical data, not only with regard to the number of men and women working in the plantation sector but also taking into account the different wage categories.

The Committee regrets that the Government’s report does not provide any information on the question relating to women’s level of participation in highly remunerated jobs, which is about half that of men. It, therefore, reiterates its request for statistical data on remuneration levels disaggregated by sex, and asks the Government to report on the measures taken to promote and facilitate access by women to positions offering higher levels of remuneration.