Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2025, publiée 114ème session CIT (2026)

Saint-Vincent-et-les Grenadines

Convention (n° 100) sur l'égalité de rémunération, 1951 (Ratification: 2001)
Convention (n° 111) concernant la discrimination (emploi et profession), 1958 (Ratification: 2001)

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.

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

Article 1 of the Convention. Legislation. The Committee notes with deep regret the Government’s indication in its reports that no changes have occurred with respect to the legislation affecting the application of the Convention.

The Committee urges the Government to take without further delay the necessary steps to ensure the adoption of an effective legislative framework that explicitly prohibits direct and indirect discrimination in employment and occupation based on at least all the grounds enumerated in Article 1(1)(a) of the Convention (race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction and social origin), covering all workers, both nationals and non-nationals, in public and private sectors. Please provide information on any progress made in that regard.

Article 1(1)(a). Prohibited grounds of discrimination. Discrimination based on sex. Sexual harassment. The Committee notes with regret the Government’s statement that it cannot provide information regarding the progress made towards the adoption of the draft Employment Relations (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Act.

The Committee firmly hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures to adopt this draft Act without delay and ensure that it will define and prohibit all forms of sexual harassment in the workplace (both quid pro quo and hostile working environment). Please provide information on any progress made in that regard. The Committee also reiterates its request to the Government to provide information on the measures taken to increase awareness among employers, workers and their organizations, about discrimination based on sex and sexual harassment, as well as on the number of complaints or cases of sexual harassment in the workplace dealt with by the competent authorities and institutions, the penalties imposed, and compensation awarded.

Article 2. National policy for equality of opportunity and employment (NEP). Noting with regret the Government’s indication that there have been no changes in this regard since its last report, the Committee wishes to recall that: (1) the primary obligation provided for in the Convention is for States to declare and pursue a national equality policy; and (2) such policy needs to be understood in the broadest terms as a multifaceted policy encompassing a combination of measures to promote equality in employment and occupation in the country. It is therefore different from specific time-bound policies or action plans, such as gender equality strategies. The NEP includes the legislative, regulatory and awareness-raising measures adopted in the country in relation to the diverse forms and grounds of discrimination covered by the Convention. Once again, the Committee reminds the Government of the possibility to avail itself of ILO technical assistance in this regard.

The Committee urges the Government to take without delay the necessary steps to develop and implement a national policy promoting equality of opportunity and treatment for all in employment and occupation (not limited to discrimination based on sex and gender). Please provide information on any progress made in this regard.

Article 3(d). Public sector. For many years, the Committee has observed the absence of provisions prohibiting discrimination in the public service. The Committee notes with deep regret that the Government limits itself to referring to Part 2 of the Public Service Commission Regulations, as amended in 1988, which governs the appointment, promotion and transfers of public officers, and that these Regulations have still not been amended to include provisions prohibiting discrimination.

The Committee urges the Government to take measures, both in law and in practice, to ensure the protection of public officers against discrimination in employment and occupation on all the grounds listed in the Convention.

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

Articles 1(b) and 2. The principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value. Legislation. The Committee notes with regret that: (1) the Protection of Employment Act, 2003, does not promote this principle, contrary to the Government’s indication; and (2) no changes have occurred with respect to the legislation affecting the application of the Convention.

Therefore, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary steps to: (i) amend section 3(1) of the 1994 Equal Pay Act without further delay in order to ensure that the legislation provides for equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value; and (ii) provide information on any progress achieved in that regard.

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