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

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Rwanda (Ratification: 1980)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Assessment of the gender pay gap. Statistics. The Government reiterates that the labour force survey has not been carried out and that a statistical framework relating to gender and gender indicators has been drawn up in four sectors of activity providing a basis for the assessment of the gender wage gap. The Committee recalls that, in order to be able to address appropriately discrimination and unequal pay, and to determine if measures taken are having a positive impact, data and research on the actual situation, including the underlying causes, are essential (see 2012 General Survey on the fundamental Conventions, paragraph 869). The Committee requests the Government to provide the statistical information gathered to assess pay levels for men and women and the gender pay gap and any analysis thereof, at least, with respect to the four sectors for which gender indicators have been drawn up.

Minimum wage fixing. Minimum wages. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that progress has been made in setting up minimum wages free from gender bias on the basis of the principle of work of equal value in the draft Ministerial Order determining minimum wage which was approved through tripartite consultations. Noting that the Government indicates that the draft Ministerial Order is awaiting approval by the competent authority, the Committee asks the Government to supply information on progress made in the process of fixing the minimum wage and to send a copy of any legal texts adopted in this respect.

Collective agreements. The Committee recalls that collective bargaining has been identified as an important factor in reducing the gender pay gap, and can, therefore, be key in the implementation of the Convention (see 2012 General Survey, paragraph 662). The Committee, once again, asks the Government to supply information on the steps taken or envisaged to encourage the social partners to: (i) include in collective agreements a clause providing for equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value; and (ii) undertake an objective evaluation of jobs and avoid the use of gender stereotypes or gender bias when fixing wages. It also requests the Government to provide extracts of collective agreements containing clauses providing for equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value.

Enforcement. Labour inspectorate and courts. Noting that the extracts from reports of the labour inspectorate were not attached to the Government’s report, the Committee once again asks the Government to provide information on the promotional and enforcement activities of the labour inspectorate with respect to the principle of equal pay for men and women for work of equal value. The Committee also requests the Government to provide specific information on the number and nature of infringements reported and copies of court or other decisions relevant to the application of the Convention.