Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Zimbabwe (Ratification: 1989)

The Committee notes the observations of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) received on 31 August 2019.

Articles 1(b) and 2(2)(a) of the Convention. Work of equal value. Legislation. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the ZCTU’s statement that it received the draft Labour Bill but that, at the time of its observations, no formal tripartite meeting had taken place to discuss whether the Bill gives effect to the principle of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s indication, in its report, that the concept of equal remuneration for work of equal value is now fully reflected in the draft Labour Bill. It adds that the ZCTU was given the opportunity to present its proposals on the draft Labour Bill and that its views were taken into account for the final draft. The Government indicates that the Bill is currently being considered by Cabinet. The Committee requests the Government to ensure that the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value is fully reflected in the draft Labour Bill to allow for the comparison not only of work that involves similar qualifications and skills, effort, responsibilities and conditions of work, but also of work of an entirely different nature which is nevertheless of equal value. Recalling that the draft Labour Bill has been pending for a number of years, the Committee trusts that the Government will endeavour to enact it in the near future and provide a copy of the legislation once adopted.

Article 2. Measures to address the gender pay gap. With reference to its previous comment, the Committee notes the adoption of the Revised National Gender Policy (2017), supported by the National Gender Policy Implementation Strategy Plan (2019). It notes, however, that the Government does not provide more in-depth information on any measures taken, under the National Gender Policies or otherwise, to effectively address the gender pay gap. The Committee notes the ZCTU’s indication that the Government has not taken any action to address the gender pay gap and the situation of women in low-paying jobs. The ZCTU alleges that, in the agricultural sector, women receive lower wages than their male counterparts for the same jobs. The Committee also notes the ZCTU’s statement that the situation for women working in the informal economy has worsened due to austerity measures, and that payments that were previously made in United States dollars are now made in local currency, the result being that women who before already earned as little as US$100 per month, now earn US$30. The ZCTU adds that no efforts have been made by the Government to implement the National Gender Policy (2013–17), and that there has not been any consultation with the social partners on the subject. The Committee also notes, from the concluding observations of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the continuing horizontal and vertical occupational segregation, as well as the persistent gender pay gap and women’s concentration in low-paying jobs, primarily in agriculture and domestic work (CEDAW/C/ZWE/CO/6, 10 March 2020, paragraph 37). The Committee requests the Government: (i) to take concrete measures, including under the Revised National Gender Policy (2017), to address the structural causes of the gender pay gap, including occupational gender segregation of the labour market and the very low rates of remuneration for jobs predominantly occupied by women; and (ii) to provide information on the progress achieved. Recalling that the National Gender Policy 2013–17 provided for a monitoring and evaluation framework, the Committee once again requests the Government to forward a copy of any report assessing the impact of the policy as well as to provide information on any follow-up measures envisaged.

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