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

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Egypt (Ratification: 1960)

Articles 1(b) and 2 of the Convention. Work of equal value. Legislation. In its previous observation, the Committee had emphasized once again that the equal remuneration provisions of Labour Law No. 12 of 2003 did not fully reflect the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value as laid down in the Convention and noted that a committee had been established to review the provisions of this Law with a view to bringing the labour legislation into line with ratified international labour standards. In its report, the Government merely states that the Constitution adopted in 2014 prohibits discrimination. In this respect, the Committee observes that the new Constitution still does not expressly reflect the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value contained in the Convention. It notes however that, according to the Government, the pending amendments to the Labour Law, drafted with the technical assistance of the Office, take into account the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value. The Committee also notes that preliminary steps have been taken with a view to the adoption of an act specifically addressing gender equality. Consequently, the Committee once again requests the Government to seize the opportunity presented by the current review of the Labour Law and by the drafting of an act on gender equality to ensure that full legislative expression is given to the principle of equal remuneration between men and women for work of equal value, so as to address situations where men and women perform different work, which is nevertheless of equal value.

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