Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Guyana (Ratification: 1975)

Articles 1(b) and 2 of the Convention. Equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value. Legislation. The Committee observes that, for years, it has been referring to the need to amend section 2(3) of the Equal Rights Act No. 19 of 1990, which provides for “equal remuneration for the same work or work of the same nature” to bring it into conformity with the provisions of the Convention and align it with the Prevention of Discrimination Act No. 26 of 1997 (section 9(1)). In its report, the Government indicates that it has recently constituted the Law Reform Commission and that both the Equal Rights Act, Cap. 38:01, and the Prevention of Discrimination Act, Cap. 99:08, are currently under review. With respect to “work of equal value”, the Committee recalls that comparing the relative value of jobs in occupations which may involve different types of skills, responsibilities or working conditions, but which are nevertheless of equal value overall, is essential in order to eliminate pay discrimination resulting from the failure to recognize the value of work performed by women and men free from gender bias. It further recalls that the principle has been applied to compare the remuneration received by men and women engaged in different occupations, such as wardens in sheltered accommodation for the elderly (predominantly women) and security guards in office premises (predominantly men); or school meal supervisor (predominantly women) and garden and park supervisors (predominantly men) (see General Survey of 2012 on the fundamental Conventions, paragraph 675).Top of Form The Committee asks the Government to ensure that the legislation duly reflects the principle of equal pay for men and women for jobs that are of a different nature, but are of equal value, and requests the Government to provide information in this regard. The Committee also recalls the importance of consultations with the social partners in the process of labour law reform and hopes that the Government will ensure this occurs in relation to any measures implementing the principle of the Convention. The Committee reminds the Government of the possibility to avail itself of ILO technical assistance in connection with the revision of the legislation relating to the application of the Convention.

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