Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Dominica (Ratification: 1983)

Legislation. Noting that section 24 of the Labour Standards Act is more restrictive than the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value, the Committee had previously asked the Government to ensure that the provision was amended so as to be in conformity with the Convention. The Committee recalls that section 24 provides that “no employer shall establish or maintain differences in wages between male and female employees employed in the same business who are performing, under the same working conditions, the same work or jobs regarding similar skill, effort and responsibility”. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Industrial Relations Advisory Committee (IRAC) has recently been appointed, and that the subject of amending section 24 will be placed on the agenda of the initial meeting for deliberation and subsequent referral to the Minister. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the date that the initial meeting of the IRAC is expected to be held, and on the progress made in amending section 24 of the Labour Standards Act in order to give full expression to the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value.

Objective job evaluation in the public service. The Committee notes that the Government refers to a comprehensive job evaluation programme that was undertaken 12 years ago in the public service, and states that it is trying to obtain a copy of the manual used during that process. The Committee, however,  encourages the Government to consider reviewing its job evaluation process undertaken 12 years ago, with a specific objective being to ensure equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value, and asks it to provide information on any progress made in this regard. The Committee also looks forward to the Government providing the job evaluation manual that was used by the Establishment, Personnel and Training Department.

Awareness raising. The Committee notes that the Government has conducted a radio programme to raise public awareness of various issues, including aspects of job discrimination and equal remuneration, and that it expects this process to be ongoing. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on any training and awareness-raising activities related to the principle of the Convention, and also to provide information on the impact of those activities.