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Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Cameroon (RATIFICATION: 1970)

1.  While noting the brief information contained in the Government’s report, the Committee regrets that the Government’s report does not contain a reply to its previous comments and that it contains only general information, which does not enable the Committee to assess the extent to which the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value, as set out in the Convention, is applied in practice.

2. The Committee recalls from its previous direct request the comments received from the Union of Free Trade Unions of Cameroon (USLC) on 23 February 2001 claiming, inter alia, that certain employers, especially those in remote areas, apply wage rates that are not in conformity with the regulations issued by the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Services (MELS). The Committee notes the Government’s statement in its report of 2004 that USCL has not specified which remote areas are concerned, but that the Government has sent a letter to USLC requesting it to indicate the areas and that action will be taken. The Committee hopes that specifications will be given and that the Government will provide detailed information in its next report on the measures taken in relation to the matters raised by the USCL, including any action taken to strengthen the capacity of labour inspectors to report cases of wage discrimination in these areas so as to ensure that the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value is fully applied.

3. Article 2 of the Convention. Collective agreements. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that wages negotiated through collective agreements have increased by between 7 per cent and 18 per cent, but it omits to provide information enabling the Committee to assess the manner in which the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value is applied in practice.

4. The Committee is bound to reiterate its previous direct request with respect to allowances and benefits which are only granted to wives and children under the Collective Agreement for CAMRAIL. It noted that section 2 of the Collective Agreement provides for protection against discrimination on the basis of sex, but restricts transport facilities only to be granted to the "wife and children" of the employee (section 70(a) and (b)), thereby excluding the husband of a woman worker from such benefits. The Committee points out once again that the Convention covers all components of remuneration arising out of the employment relationship. It therefore reiterates its request to the Government to provide information on any measures taken or envisaged to eliminate discriminatory provisions in collective agreements with respect to remuneration, and particularly with regards to additional allowances and benefits.

5. The Committee also reiterates its request with regard to section 37(1) of the Collective Agreement for Dock Workers, which provides than "in equal conditions of work and professional ability" equal wages shall be paid to all workers without distinction on the basis of sex. Recalling that the principle enshrined in Article 1(b) of the Convention goes beyond equal remuneration for men and women workers for "equal work" or "work in equal conditions", the Committee reiterates its request to the Government to provide detailed information with its next report on any measures taken or envisaged to make sure that men and women covered by the Collective Agreement for Dock Workers are entitled to equal remuneration for work of equal value, and not just for equal work.

6. Statistical information. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that disaggregated statistical information, according to job category and earnings levels, still has not been compiled and that it once again requests the technical assistance of the Office. The Committee hopes it will be possible to provide such assistance in the very near future. It also hopes that the Government will be in a position in the near future to collect the necessary data, disaggregated by sex, so that the Committee can assess the nature and extent of any existing wage inequalities between men and women workers.