Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156) - Niger (Ratification: 1985)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes that the Government's report contains no reply to its comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows.

Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its last report relating to protection against discrimination on the basis of sex. The Committee would draw the Government's attention to the obligation imposed under Article 3 on each member State to make it an aim of national policy to enable workers with family responsibilities to engage in employment without being subject to discrimination and to the extent possible without conflict between their employment and family responsibilities. In this connection it would refer the Government to Paragraphs 6-11 of the Workers with Family Responsibilities Recommendation, 1981 (No. 165). The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to indicate in its next report the measures taken or contemplated to adopt the national policy called for under this Article of the Convention.

Article 4(a). The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in reply to its comment concerning the interprofessional collective agreement. It again requests the Government to kindly supply information concerning the measures taken or envisaged to enable workers with family responsibilities, in relation to their dependent children or in relation to other members of their immediate family who clearly need their care or support, to exercise their right to the free choice of employment in accordance with the requirement of this Article of the Convention.

Article 4(b). In its previous direct request, the Committee noted that section 119(4) of the Labour Code provides for supplementary annual leave for women with dependent children. It again requests the Government to indicate the measures that have been taken or are contemplated to extend this provision to men with dependent children. It further requests the Government to provide information on any other measures taken in regard to terms and conditions of employment in order to take account of the needs of workers with family responsibilities. In this connection, the Committee would refer the Government to Paragraphs 17-24 of the Workers with Family Responsibilities Recommendation, 1981 (No. 165), which provide examples of arrangements which may enable workers with family responsibilities to better reconcile their employment with such responsibilities.

Article 5(a). The Committee notes from the last government report that family responsibilities are considered to be a qualification requirement in the distribution of parcels of land undertaken by the Maire Committee and in the distribution of social housing, an activity undertaken by the CNSS. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply information in future reports on measures that have been implemented or are contemplated to take account of the needs of workers with family responsibilities in community planning at the local and regional levels.

Article 5(b). The last government report indicates that family health centres have been established to help workers with family responsibilities draw up family budgets and that information centres exist to inform men and women about family planning. It further states that cooperatives help workers integrate their social and economic functions. The Committee notes this information and would be grateful if the Government would provide further details on the manner in which such centres, cooperatives or other organizations assist workers in caring for their dependent children or other members of the immediate family who may be dependent upon them, such as elderly persons.

Article 6. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information on all measures taken or contemplated to promote information and education which engender broader public understanding of the principle of equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women and of the problems encountered by persons with family responsibilities who are employed or who want to become employed and on the impact of these activities on public opinion.

Article 7. The Committee notes from the last government report that no vocational training measures exist to enable workers to re-enter the labour market after an absence due to their family responsibilities. It also notes that no follow-up has occurred to the establishment of the tripartite committee responsible for examining the assistance to be given to workers with family responsibilities who have been made redundant following staff reductions. It further notes that in the meantime the question has been presented to the National Conference which aims to take action on measures concerning, among other things, vocational training and employment creation. The Committee hopes the Government will be able to provide information concerning follow-up action taken, both in the abovementioned committee and in the National Conference, to enable workers with family responsibilities to become and remain integrated in the labour force as well as to re-enter it after an absence. It also hopes the Government will keep the Committee informed of any other measures taken or envisaged in vocational training to help workers with family responsibilities enter or re-enter the labour market.

Article 8. The Committee notes that pursuant to article 37 of the Labour Code and article 33 of the interprofessional collective agreement, workers with family responsibilities are given credit for their dependents in the event that a reduction of workers is necessary. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide further information on any provisions which exist to prohibit family responsibilities from being used as a basis upon which workers may be dismissed from their employment.

Point V of the report form. Please provide the information requested under this point of the report form.