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Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Israel (RATIFICATION: 1959)

Equal Employment Opportunities Commission. The Committee notes the information provided by the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) regarding its activities in 2010 to publicize and raise awareness on equality and non-discrimination, and its role in handling public inquiries and litigation regarding cases of discrimination. The Committee notes that among the inquiries received by the EEOC, those relating to discrimination based on pregnancy, age and sex continue to be most frequent, and that the number of applications regarding pregnancy discrimination was particularly high (30 per cent). The majority of the applications related to dismissal also concerned pregnancy. The Committee further notes the information on the implementation of the European Union “twinning project” between the EEOC and the Equality Commission of Northern Ireland. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on specific activities carried out by the EEOC to address discrimination in employment and occupation, including through cooperation with workers’ and employers’ organizations. Noting that discrimination based on pregnancy continues to be frequent, and has even increased, the Committee requests the Government to indicate any measures taken or envisaged to address more effectively such discrimination. Please also continue to provide information on the implementation of section 4 (parental rights) of the Employment (Equal Opportunities) Act, and on any other measures taken or envisaged to promote reconciliation between work and family responsibilities.

Sexual harassment. The Committee notes that 2 per cent of the applications submitted to the EEOC concerned sexual harassment. It also notes information on the various initiatives undertaken by the Authority for Advancing the Status of Women to raise awareness and disseminate public information on sexual harassment as well as training of persons responsible for dealing with sexual harassment claims which is required under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to prevent and eliminate sexual harassment in employment and occupation, as well as information on cases addressed by the EEOC and the courts.

Promotion of gender equality in employment and occupation. The Committee notes the 2010 activity report of the Authority for Advancing the Status of Women, attached to the Government’s report. With regard to the implementation of section 6C1 of the Equal Rights for Women Law on adequate representation of women on teams, committees and public bodies, the Committee notes that women’s representation in public bodies increased in 2010 (women represented 29.2 per cent and men 70.8 per cent of the total appointments compared to 23 per cent and 77 per cent respectively in 2009), but that at the same time their representation in public offices and positions deteriorated (28.8 per cent women and 71.2 per cent men compared to 33 per cent women and 67 per cent men in 2009). The Committee notes that the percentage of women on the boards of directors of Government companies further increased (43 per cent as of 1 June 2010 compared to 38.5 per cent in 2008) but women only represented 15.5 per cent in senior grades of Government companies (compared to 84.5 per cent for men). The Committee further notes the Programme to implement equality carried out within the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labour to increase the number of non-Jewish workers, including the appointment of women from non-Jewish communities to senior management positions and the promotion of Arab women into interim management positions. While taking due note of the progress made regarding representation of women in public bodies and boards of directors, the Committee requests the Government to consider additional measures to improve women’s representation in public positions and senior grades, and report on the results achieved. The Committee further requests the Government to continue to provide information on the various measures taken to promote equality of opportunity and treatment of men and women in employment and occupation, including the activities of the Authority for Advancing the Status of Women and the measures taken to promote the training, education and employment of women from particularly disadvantaged groups, in particular from minority groups, and the results achieved, including statistical information, disaggregated by sex and population group.

Equality of opportunity and treatment irrespective of race, national extraction or religion. The Committee notes the Government’s explanation that the representation requirement for the Arab population applies to every company but that, in examining the company, certain factors are taken into account, including the fact that some companies by their very nature are not companies with a connection to the Arab population. The Government also states that the adequate representation requirement is not enforced in very small companies, and that the issue of adequate representation is not being addressed in companies which are only in the initial stage of being established or which are on the verge of winding up. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the progress made in achieving the adequate representation requirements, as well as on the reasons for excluding members of the Arab population from being appointed to the boards of directors of certain government companies, if any.