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

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Jamaica (Ratification: 1975)

Article 1(b) of the Convention. Legislation. Equal remuneration for work of equal value. The Committee recalls that it has been asking the Government for a number of years to take steps to revise section 2 of the Employment (Equal Pay for Equal Work) Act 1975 as it does not give full legislative expression to the concept of “work of equal value” set out in the Convention, and it is limited to comparing “similar” or “substantially similar” job requirements. The Committee recalls that “equal remuneration for work of equal value” includes but goes beyond equal remuneration for “equal”, the “same” or “similar” work, and encompasses in addition work that is of an entirely different nature, but which is nevertheless of equal value. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the review of the Employment (Equal Pay for Equal Work) Act 1975 is still in process. The Committee again urges the Government to take this opportunity to revise section 2 of the Act, in order to incorporate in the legislation the concept of “work of equal value” and give full expression to the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value, and asks the Government to provide specific information of progress made in this respect.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.