Solicitud directa (CEACR) - Adopción: 2002, Publicación: 91ª reunión CIT (2003)

Convenio sobre la discriminación (empleo y ocupación), 1958 (núm. 111) - Etiopía (Ratificación : 1966)

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

1. The Committee refers to its previous comments concerning measures taken to implement constitutional provisions relevant to the Convention, particularly Article 25, which guarantees to all persons equal and effective protection against discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, wealth, birth or other status. The Committee also notes the Government’s statement that the new democratic atmosphere in the country had become a guarantee for equal treatment. With respect to the need to provide employees of the state administration with legislative protection against discrimination in employment and to ensure equality of opportunity and treatment as regards access to the civil service, the Committee notes that the process of revising the law governing the employment of public employees is still ongoing. The Committee once again hopes that the Government will ensure that the revision of the law will fully reflect the principles and objectives of the Convention and will continue to provide information on any progress made in this respect.

2. Discrimination on the basis of sex. The Committee refers to its previous comments on measures to implement the constitutional provisions concerning the rights of women, including to "... remedial and affirmative measures to enable women to compete on the basis of equality with men in political, economic and social life, and to gain access to opportunities and positions in public and private institutions" (article 35). In this context, the Committee notes the adoption of a National Policy for Ethiopian Women. The Committee also notes from the National Report on the Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action prepared by the Women’s Affairs Office in the Prime Minister’s Office that significant progress was made as to the enrolment of girls in primary and secondary schools between 1994 and 1999. However, the Committee notes that the number of girls receiving such education has been decreasing compared to the number of boys. Noting that one of the goals of the first phase of the Education Sector Development Programme (ESDP) is to increase the school attendance of rural children, especially girls, and raise enrolment from 38 to 45 per cent by the year 2001-02, the Government is requested to provide information on the progress made in this respect and on measures taken to ensure equal access of girls to education, including through affirmative action. Noting that the level of female participation in the technical and vocational schools under the Ministry of Education and in higher education remains low compared to that of males, the Committee also requests the Government to supply information on measures taken to promote women’s participation in these fields. The Committee would appreciate receiving statistical information on the distribution of men and women in the different areas of specializations and disciplines in technical and vocational schools as well as at the university level. Please also provide a copy of the abovementioned National Policy on Women.

3. The Committee notes that the Government gives due attention to the recruitment of women in the public sector, including thorough efforts to attract more women to fill vacant posts. The Committee also notes that women participated in the recruitment, training and promotional committees of the Federal Civil Service Commission. Noting from the Government’s report on the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action that the number of female employees in the federal administration decreased in 1998 below the level of 1994 and that they are underrepresented in the professional, scientific, administrative and sub-professional categories, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on measures taken to ensure equality of opportunity and treatment of women in practice as regards access to the public sector, as well as statistical data on the level of participation of women in the federal and regional administrations, including the distribution of men and women in the different types and levels of service. Noting from the abovementioned report that the Federal Civil Service Commission has been issuing directives which, according to the Government, could reinforce the contents of article 35 of the Constitution as regards affirmative measures and equal rights in employment, the Committee would be grateful to receive copies of these directives.

4. Concerning the application of the Convention as regards private sector employment, the Committee asks the Government to provide a copy of the National Employment Policy recently prepared by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs which, inter alia, contains policies on education, training and employment opportunities for women, including in management and decision-making positions.

5. Discrimination on the basis of race, colour and national extraction. As regards the use of national languages, the Committee notes from the Government’s report that the number of different national groups using their own language for elementary education is increasing. The Committee notes the Government’s indications that this helped to ensure the right of different groups to use their own language. Concerning the provisions of the Constitution safeguarding the right of the country’s nations, nationalities and peoples to self-determination, including self-government, and to preserving their own cultures (article 39), the Committee reiterates its previous request to the Government to provide information on the measures being taken or contemplated to enable the practical enjoyment of these rights by the groups involved.

6. Enforcement of legislation. Noting again the potential importance of the Federal Civil Service Commission with regard to implementation of the principle of non-discrimination within the civil service, the Committee reiterates its request for information on the manner in which the Commission handles complaints of discrimination and to provide copies of any relevant final decisions. The Committee would also appreciate receiving information on the mandate and activities of the National Commission on Human Rights and the Ombudsman.