Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Burundi

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) (Ratification: 1993)
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) (Ratification: 1993)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of ratified Conventions on equality, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 100 (equal remuneration) and 111 (discrimination in employment and occupation) together.

The Committee notes the observations of the Trade Union Confederation of Burundi (COSYBU), received on 28 August 2025. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

Convention No. 111 – National policy to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of employment and occupation

Articles 1(1)(a), 2 and 3(b). Prohibited grounds of discrimination. Sex. Sexual harassment. Public service. Legislation. The Committee notes with regret that the Government does not provide any new information on the follow-up to its previous requests concerning sexual harassment and, in particular, the absence of any reference to sexual harassment in the General Regulations governing public employees. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to introduce into the General Regulations governing public employeesa full definition of sexual harassment, covering both quid pro quo and hostile work environment sexual harassment, and to continue to provide information on the specific measures taken to prevent and eliminate sexual harassment in the public and private sectors.

Articles 1 to 3.National policy to promote equality of opportunity and treatment. Indigenous peoples. The Government indicates that it has taken measures to ensure equal access for the Batwa to education, vocational training and employment, and to enable them to carry out their traditional activities and to combat stereotypes and prejudices against this community. In this regard, it informs the Committee that a policy has been adopted to ensure that all Batwa schoolchildren who obtain more than 50 per cent in the national examination are referred to schools of excellence, and that a national strategy for the socio-economic reintegration of disaster victims, including the Batwa, is being adopted by the Council of Ministers. Furthermore, the Committee notes with interest that on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, held on 9 August 2025, the President of the Republic, on behalf of the Government, publicly apologized to the indigenous peoples for the injustices and discrimination they have suffered for years and committed to taking specific measures, such as granting arable land and housing to the Batwa, promoting their access to quality education and increasing their representation in decision-making bodies. The Committee requests the Government to provide up-to-date information on the progress made in adopting the national strategy for the socio-economic reintegration of disaster victims. It also requests detailed information on the measures implemented to improve access to education, vocational training and employment for members of the Batwa community, as well as on the results achieved, including statistical data to assess their impact.

Convention No. 100 – Principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value

Articles 1 and 2. The principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value.Public service. The Committee once again requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal “value” is fully reflected in the legal framework applicable to public servants, and to provide information on any developments in this regard.

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