Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Belarus (Ratification: 1956)

Gender wage gap. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that, as regards the ratio of women’s nominal average monthly wage to that of men, the gap has widened: women’s average wage was 78.4 per cent of men’s in 2007 and 73.9 per cent in 2008. In some specific branches of the economy, including those in which the gender gap was relatively small in 2007, the widening of the gap is significant. For example, in forestry, the wage gap between women and men in terms of nominal average monthly wage was 2.5 per cent in 2007 (i.e. women’s average wage was 97.5 per cent of that of men), rising to 9.8 per cent in 2008 (i.e. women’s average wage of 90.2 per cent of that of men). While there are branches of the economy where the wage gap has become smaller, the participation rate of women has decreased in those branches. In this connection, the Committee recalls the statistical data provided by the Government in its previous report which confirm a similar trend: men are concentrated in heavy manual work and work involving hazardous conditions, for which they are paid higher wages, while women are heavily concentrated in healthcare (85.2 per cent), catering (83.1 per cent) and teaching (83.1 per cent). The Committee asks the Government to provide particulars on the measures taken or envisaged in order to address the gender wage gap which appears to be widening as described above. Please also indicate any measures to ensure that women and men receive equal remuneration for work that may be entirely different in nature, but, nonetheless, of equal value. The Committee would also appreciate if the Government would continue to provide detailed and up to date statistics on earnings of women and men, including gender-disaggregated data by industry and occupational category, as well as the evolution of the gender pay gap.

Article 2 of the Convention. Public service. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the remuneration of employees of state entities is regulated under Order of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection No. 174 of 18 December 2008 on Remuneration of Labour of the Employees of State Bodies. Like the Order of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security No. 33 of 15 March 2007, this Order prescribes the remuneration of the employees as well as the salaries of the managers and the specialists. It also notes that the Government states with respect to the 2008 Order, as it did previously concerning the 2007 Order, that the salaries of the managers and specialists of state bodies are fixed with respect to their positions, thus regardless of sex. The Committee is therefore bound to repeat its previous request and asks the Government to indicate whether any job evaluation process was undertaken in the context of preparing the abovementioned 2008 Order, in order to ensure an appropriate comparison of male- and female-dominated public service positions when establishing remuneration levels. In particular, it asks the Government to provide detailed information on the criteria used to determine the salaries of the managerial and specialist posts of state bodies. It would also appreciate if the Government would communicate details concerning any measures taken or envisaged to promote greater access of women to higher level positions. In this connection, it further asks the Government to provide statistics showing the number of public service employees disaggregated by sex, occupational category and position. Finally, please clarify whether the 2008 Order replaces the 2007 Order, and supply a copy of the Order currently in force.

Article 4. Cooperation with workers’ and employers’ organizations. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the National Council on Labour and Social Matters has not discussed issues concerning the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value because the principle is applied in law and practice. In this connection, it recalls that Article 4 of the Convention provides for the cooperation of the Government with workers’ and employers’ organizations in order to give effect to the provisions of the Convention, and wishes to stress the importance of dialogue among the Government and the social partners in this context. The Committee therefore asks the Government to provide information on the steps taken to promote the application of the Convention in cooperation with workers’ and employers’ organizations.

Parts III to V of the report form. Results of labour inspection and judicial decisions. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning labour inspections: more than 9,500 inspections were carried out with respect to the payment of the minimum wage; 16 organizations were found to be in contravention of the relevant legislation; and a fine of 6.3 million roubles (approximately US$2,114) was imposed. It also notes that 7,700 inspection visits were made concerning the observance of the requirements of the Decree of the President No. 17 of 18 July 2002 on Certain Issues of the Regulation of Remuneration of Labour of the Employees, resulting in administrative procedures being brought against 122 officials, incurring a fine of 50.8 million roubles (approximately US$17,050). It observes, however, that the Government’s report does not contain information specifically on equal remuneration for work of equal value. The Committee, therefore, asks the Government to provide specific information concerning labour inspection results showing the nature and number of violations of the legislation related to the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value, the remedies provided and sanctions imposed, as well as any judicial or administrative decisions concerning the principle of the Convention, including any decisions applying or interpreting Article 42 of the Constitution which provides that women and men, and adults and minors, shall be entitled to equal remuneration for work of equal value. It reiterates its previous request to the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to raise awareness of the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value among labour inspectors, workers, employers and their organizations.