Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Netherlands (Ratification: 1971)

The Committee notes the observations on the Government’s report by the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO–NCW) and the Netherlands Trade Union Confederation (FNV).

Measures to address the pay gap and differences in remuneration of part-time workers. The Committee recalls that, with a view to addressing equal pay in a wider context the Task Force Part-Time Plus was established. The Committee had requested the Government to indicate the measures taken to implement, in cooperation with the social partners, the recommendations of the Task Force, including an assessment of their impact on reducing differences in remuneration between men and women relating to part-time work. The Committee notes the Government’s indications that a Bill on combining work and childcare is currently being discussed in Parliament, and the Social and Economic Council (SER) has been asked to advise by the end of 2013 on discrimination in the labour market, including differences in remuneration. The Government indicates that it will take no further action until the advice of the SER is published. While acknowledging the importance of this advice, the FNV regrets the lack of additional information provided by the Government on the policies and measures taken to follow up on the recommendations of the Task Force Part-Time Plus and the abovementioned Bill. With respect to other proactive measures taken or envisaged to promote the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value, previously suggested by the FNV, the Committee notes that the Government also intends to await the advice of the SER. The Committee notes that the VNO–NCW highlights that some initiatives have been taken by the social partners in the past decade to eliminate or reduce discrimination in general and with respect to remuneration in particular. The Committee asks the Government to provide details of the advice given by the SER, including to what extent it addressed the recommendations of the Task Force Part-Time Plus. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the specific follow-up given to the Task Force recommendations and any recommendations by the SER, and the results achieved. It also asks the Government to provide detailed information on any proactive measures to address the gender pay gap, including any follow-up to some recommendations, previously referred to by the FNV, with respect to an equal pay campaign, the enforcement of equal pay provisions by the labour inspectorate, and the development of an equal pay policy when providing government support to financial institutions, as the pay gap is significant in this sector, and the results achieved.

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