Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

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

The Committee notes the observations by the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) dated 31 August 2011.

Application of the principle through collective agreements. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on wage rates provided for in the collective agreements. It notes that classification of wages in the print industry is differentiated based on the classification of categories such as “senior”, “junior” or “beginner”. It also notes that, in defining different jobs in the collective agreements, sex-specific terminology remains in use, such as “maintenance men” or “head waiter; assistant head waiter; waiter/waitress”, reinforcing stereotypes regarding whether certain jobs should be carried out by men or women, and thus increasing the likelihood of wage inequality. The Committee asks the Government to indicate how it is ensured that, in determining wage rates in the collective agreements, the work performed by women is not being undervalued in comparison to that of men who are performing different work and using different skills, and that the procedures adopted are free from gender bias. It also asks the Government to take steps, in collaboration with the employers’ and workers’ organizations, to promote the use of gender-neutral terminology in defining the various jobs and occupations in the collective agreements. The Committee further asks the Government to provide information on collective bargaining and job evaluation exercises, specifying their effect on wage rates.

Minimum wages. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that no steps have been taken to have minimum wages for categories of workers other than shop assistants and domestic workers. It also notes the observations by the BWU that there have been some discussions on this issue and that setting minimum wages is critical for attaining decent work. The Committee further notes that the Government has not provided any information on steps to readjust the minimum wages for domestic workers. Recalling the fact that the minimum wages for domestic workers, most of whom are women, have not been increased for over 20 years, and the importance of setting minimum wages in promoting the application of the Convention, the Committee asks the Government to take steps to readjust the minimum wages for domestic workers using objective job evaluation without gender bias.

Promoting women’s participation in higher paid jobs. The Committee recalls its previous comments encouraging the Government to take concrete measures to promote and facilitate access by women to positions offering higher levels of remuneration. It notes the Government’s indication that there are no known cases of discrimination with regard to promotion of women to higher positions, and that Barbados has a relatively high number of women in senior positions of employment. Recalling the importance of statistics on remuneration levels disaggregated by sex for assessing the progress made in applying the Convention, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on any measures taken to compile and analyse statistics on the various remuneration levels, including levels of posts of responsibility in all economic sectors, including in the plantation sector.

Enforcement. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that there are no reports known to the Labour Department of unequal remuneration, and that there are no known cases of discrimination in wages relating to gender. The Committee encourages the Government to take appropriate measures with a view to strengthening the mechanisms to enforce the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value for both unionized and non-unionized workers, including providing training for labour inspectors and judges, as well as awareness-raising activities for the general public, and asks the Government to indicate the measures taken in this regard.