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

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

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Gender wage gap. For a number of years, the Committee has been asking the Government to adopt measures in order to address the persistent gender wage gap. The Committee notes from the statistics provided by the Government that even though the gender wage gap narrowed from 25.5 per cent in 2013 to 23.5 per cent in 2014, it still remains significant. The Committee further notes the persistent gender wage gaps in certain sectors: for example, in 2014 women’s average monthly wage was 74.6 per cent of that of men in industry, 88.4 per cent in trade and commerce and 86.6 per cent in health services. The Government indicates in this regard that the gender wage gap is caused by the fact that women traditionally choose to work in non-industrial sectors, while men work in those areas of the economy that involve hazardous and dangerous working conditions and a higher level of pressure, and therefore receive higher wages. The Committee further notes that, according to the World Bank report “Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Unit, Europe and Central Asia Region” of 2014, horizontal and vertical gender segregation in the labour market is demonstrated by the feminization of sectors such as education (81 per cent of women), health and social security (83 per cent), and personal services (77 per cent), where they are more likely to occupy managerial positions but where average salaries are lower than average in the country. In contrast, men account for a higher proportion of the workforce in such sectors as construction, transport and industry where they occupy managerial positions offering salaries higher than average in the country. The report also highlights that women’s higher educational achievements do not translate into equivalent jobs and salary levels (paragraph 3.6). The Committee recalls that occupational gender segregation channelling women into lower paying jobs or occupations or positions without career opportunities has been identified as one of the underlying causes of the gender pay gap. Historical attitudes towards the role of women in society along with stereotypical assumptions regarding women’s aspirations, preferences and “suitability” for certain jobs have contributed to such occupational segregation in the labour market, and an undervaluation of so-called “female jobs” in comparison with jobs performed by men (see 2012 General Survey on the fundamental Conventions, paragraphs 697 and 712). The Committee observes that the Government does not provide specific information on the measures adopted with a view to reducing the gender pay gap. The Committee once again asks the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken or envisaged in order to reduce the persistent gender wage gap, and address its underlying causes including any prevailing stereotypes regarding women’s preferences and suitability for certain jobs. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to improve the access of women to a wider range of job opportunities, including in higher-level positions and in sectors in which they are currently absent or under-represented. The Committee also asks the Government to continue to provide detailed and up-to-date statistics on the wages of women and men, including sex disaggregated data by industry and occupational category.

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