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Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Guyana (RATIFICATION: 1975)

The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government in its report, in reply to its previous comments.

1. In these comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide a copy of the provisions that abolished all forms of discrimination against women in the public service, namely: (a) the Civil Service Rules of 1976; (b) Public Service Ministry Circular No. 38/76 of 16 July 1976 respecting the recruitment of married women in the administrative and clerical grades of the public service; (c) Public Service Ministry Circular No. 1/73 of 12 February 1973 abolishing all forms of discrimination against women in the public service. The Committee notes that these texts have not been transmitted but that efforts are being made to provide them shortly. It hopes that they will be forwarded with the next report.

2. With regard to section 22 of the Public Officers (Insurance) Act (Cap. 27:10) which excludes female officers from the scope of the Act, the Government states that no measure is contemplated to amend this section as the Committee had suggested, but that conformity with the Convention will continue to be the practice. The Committee recalls, in this connection that, under Article 3(c) of the Convention, each Member for which the Convention is in force must, by methods appropriate to national conditions and practice, repeal any statutory provisions and modify any administrative instructions or practices which are incompatible with the policy of non-discrimination on grounds, inter alia, of sex. The Committee therefore hopes that the Government will do everything possible to repeal or amend this section of the Public Officers (Insurance) Act in order to bring the legislation into line with national practice and with the Convention. The Committee asks the Government to report on progress made to this end.

3. The Committee has already pointed out in previous comments that article 29, subsection 2, of the 1980 Constitution provides for equality between men and women in access to academic, vocational and professional training and for equal opportunities in employment, remuneration and promotion. The Committee notes, however, from the indications contained in the Government's report, that no particular plan or procedure has been adopted to ensure that, in practice, men and women enjoy equal opportunities and treatment in respect of training and employment. It also notes that no statistics are yet available on the participation of women in the various training courses and branches of activity. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to take the necessary measures to facilitate the access of women to education and vocational training, particularly in trades which are not traditionally exercised by women and, at the same time, promote equality of opportunity for women in employment. The Committee also hopes that the next report will contain information on any positive measures taken to this end, along with statistical data on the number of women employed in both private and public sectors (including the public administration).

4. The Committee also notes with interest the information supplied by the Government on the Hinterland Scholarship Programme for the training of Amerindians. The objectives of the Programme are to facilitate the access of Amerindian communities to formal and informal education at both secondary and tertiary levels, and to provide the skills necessary for self-maintenance of their communities. The Committee asks the Government to keep it informed of the results of this Programme, and to provide copies with its next report of the official documents concerning the Programme (such as reports of the Ministry of Regional Development, the number of students, etc.). The Committee also hopes that the Government will not fail to provide the text of the laws in force concerning the protection, welfare and progress of the Amerindians.

5. With regard to the full text of Act No. 14 of 1984 to set up the Public Service Appelate Tribunal with competence to hear appeals on appointments, promotions and disciplinary measures, the Government indicates that it has been sent; however, it has not been received by the Office. The Committee therefore repeats its request to the Government to supply a new copy of the text with its next report, along with copies of the judgements handed down by the above Tribunal concerning questions of discrimination.