Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

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

Gender wage gap. The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government on wages disaggregated by sex, branch of economy, and type of economic activity. It notes that there is a significant average gender wage gap of 25.4 per cent, as well as gender wage gaps in certain sectors; for example, women’s average monthly wage was 70.2 per cent of that of men in industry, 77.4 per cent in trade and commerce, and 62 per cent in health services. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that labour is classified into unskilled labour and skilled labour, and that the unified rating and skills guide of work and workers’ occupations and the unified job evaluation guide of the employee’s positions evaluate the value of work using assessment factors such as quantity and quality of work, degree of complexity of the work performed, level of skills, theoretical knowledge and practical skills, degree of responsibility and working conditions. The Committee draws the Government’s attention to the fact that the method used to set salary scales must be free from gender bias and that it is important to ensure that the selection of factors for comparison, the weighing of such factors and the actual comparison carried out, are not discriminatory, either directly or indirectly (General Survey on fundamental Conventions, 2012, paragraph 71). The Committee asks the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken or envisaged in order to address the persistent gender wage gaps. The Committee also asks the Government to indicate how it is ensured that the selection of factors for comparison, the weighing of such factors and the actual comparison carried out are not discriminatory, either directly or indirectly. Please continue to provide detailed and up-to-date statistics on wages of women and men, including sex disaggregated data by industry and occupational category.

Article 2. Public sector. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the remuneration of employees of state entities, as well as the salaries of managers and the specialists, is regulated under Order of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection No. 151 of 22 October 2010 on remuneration of labour of the employees of state bodies, which was attached to the Government’s report. The Government also indicates that as was the case with previous Orders, the salaries of the managers and specialists of state bodies are fixed with respect to their positions, thus regardless of sex. The Government also states that the Guide “State positions of the public servants”, which was approved by the Order of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security No. 135 of 24 October 2003, provides for “skills”, which include the complexity of functions performed, duties, qualifications, and knowledge and expertise, for each job title of public positions. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide statistics showing the number of public sector employees disaggregated by sex, occupational category and position.

Article 4. Cooperation with workers’ and employers’ organizations. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the General Agreement for 2011–13, which was signed on 30 December 2010 between the Government and the social partners, includes a chapter on wages, and provides for the continued improvement in the area of the objective job evaluation. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the steps taken to promote the application of the Convention in cooperation with workers’ and employers’ organizations, and to provide specific information on the steps taken to promote objective job evaluation.

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: in 2010, 1,185 inspections were carried out with respect to the payment of the minimum wage; 17 organizations were found to be in contravention of the relevant legislation, and a fine of 5.1 million roubles (approximately US$628) was imposed. It observes, however, that the Government’s report still does not contain information specifically on labour inspection results concerning equal remuneration for work of equal value. The Committee therefore asks the Government to provide specific information concerning the nature and number of violations of the legislation related to the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value detected by or brought to the attention of labour inspectors, the remedies provided and sanctions imposed, as well as any judicial or administrative decisions concerning the principle of the Convention. It reiterates its previous requests to the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to raise awareness of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value among labour inspectors, judges, workers, employers and their organizations.