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Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Saint Kitts and Nevis (RATIFICATION: 2000)

Legislative developments. The Committee notes the Government’s intention to include the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Model Law on Equality of Opportunity and Treatment in Employment and Occupation in the new Labour Code. The Committee hopes that the Government will take measures to adopt comprehensive legislation prohibiting direct and indirect discrimination at least on all the grounds set out in Article 1(1)(a) of the Convention, in all aspects of employment and occupation, and for all workers. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the status of the adoption of the new Labour Code, and in particular to indicate specifically how the non-discrimination provisions of the CARICOM Model Law will be included. The Committee also asks the Government to provide information on whether consideration is being given to including additional grounds of discrimination as foreseen under Article 1(1)(b) of the Convention, including discrimination based on real or perceived HIV/AIDS status, in keeping with the HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200).

Other measures to apply the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s acknowledgment that not much has been done to promote employers’ and workers’ awareness regarding equality in the workplace, particularly in the private sector. However, it is envisaged that such training and awareness raising will take place in 2011. The Committee further notes that no statistical data regarding employment and occupation is available, although the Government is currently in the process of developing a Labour Market Action Plan, and a Labour Market Information System (LMIS) will be developed for the collection, analysis and dissemination of labour statistics. The Committee asks the Government to take steps to promote equality in employment and occupation in the private and public sectors, including awareness-raising activities for employers, workers and their organizations, and requests information on the specific training and awareness-raising activities foreseen for 2011. Please also indicate how the Labour Market Action Plan addresses the principle of equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation, and provide information on any progress made in developing the LMIS.

Gender equality. The Committee notes that the Ministry of Gender Affairs is considering developing a gender policy. It also notes that training activities are offered to women by the Women’s Training Centre. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the progress achieved in adopting the gender policy, and to indicate how this policy will promote equality between men and women in employment and occupation. The Committee furthermore asks the Government to provide more information on the training activities offered by the Women’s Training Centre, particularly on the number of women that participated in such training, and the outcomes. Please also provide information on any measures taken or envisaged to promote women’s equal opportunities, including with regard to access to vocational training and education.