Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Ireland (Ratification: 1999)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Article 1(1)(b) of the Convention. Discrimination based on disability. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that under the “Action Plan for Jobs 2013”, measures will be taken to promote the employability of groups that have experienced labour market disadvantage related to discrimination, including based on disability, and that these will involve developing the equality capacity of employers, vocational education, training providers and labour market providers. The Committee also notes the 2012 report on disability in the Irish labour market published by the Equality Authority, which indicates that labour market participation rates are lowest for people with a physical or emotional/psychological disability, though people with an intellectual/learning disability experience higher levels of work-related discrimination. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that, for the first time since the establishment of targets for the employment of workers with disabilities in the public service in 2005, the 3 per cent target was met in 2011. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to address discrimination based on disability, as well as the impact of such measures, including under the Action Plan for Jobs.

Article 2. Gender equality. The Committee notes the extensive information provided by the Government on the measures taken, in cooperation with the social partners, with a view to promoting equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women. It notes, in particular, the information on the various initiatives and guidance tools developed to address discrimination on the basis of pregnancy or maternity. The Government also indicates that since 2009, a total of 11,350 women were assisted through the vocational training programmes implemented under the Equality for Women Measure (EWM 2008–2013), which aim to promote women’s entrepreneurship, as well as their access and return to the labour market. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to promote equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women in employment and occupation, and the impact of such measures, including under the National Women’s Strategy, the EWM, and the Programme of the Equality Mainstreaming Unit.

Equality of opportunity and treatment irrespective of race, colour and national extraction. The Committee notes that the “Action Plan for Jobs 2013”, also addresses discrimination based on race. The Committee also notes the information provided by the Government on the initiatives carried out with a view to promoting equality of opportunity and addressing discrimination against members of the Traveller community. It notes in particular, the Government’s indication that a new training programme has recently been established with a view to improving employment opportunities for members of the Traveller community in South County Dublin. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the specific measures taken, including in the context of the Action Plan for Jobs and the Workplace Diversity initiative, to address discrimination in employment and occupation based on race, colour and national extraction, including with respect to migrant workers, and on the results achieved. The Committee also asks the Government to continue to provide information on the specific measures taken or envisaged in the public and private sectors to promote equality of opportunity and treatment for the members of the Traveller community, and the results thereof.

Parts III and IV of the report form. Enforcement. The Committee had previously noted the decision taken in 2011 to merge the Equality Authority and the Irish Human Rights Commission to create the Human Rights and Equality Commission. It had also stressed the need to ensure that this new institution, which will have a broader mandate than that of the Equality Authority, has the necessary financial and human resources available to respond to the complaints regarding discrimination in employment, undertake awareness-raising and research activities, make recommendations to the authorities and promote equality among the stakeholders concerned … . The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on any developments on the establishment of the new Human Rights and Equality Commission, including with regard to any measures taken to ensure its effectiveness in promoting equality in employment and occupation. Please also provide details of the outcome of the discussion with the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the budget cuts and the impact on the various human rights institutions.