Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Barbados (Ratification: 1974)

1. The Committee notes with some concern the Government’s statement in its report in relation to Article 2 of the Convention indicating that "Barbados currently has no reason to implement policy in respect to access to vocational training; access to employment and to particular occupations and to terms and conditions of employment". Nevertheless, it notes that the Government had introduced changes to shift from the concept of women in development to gender and development in order to take a more inclusive approach involving both men and women in the promotion of equality. The Committee also notes that the functions of the Bureau of Gender Affairs and the National Advisory Council on Gender Affairs include, inter alia, the adoption of a national plan on gender and development and refinement of policies. In this regard, the Committee must stress the importance of every country formulating, updating and implementing a national policy to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment in accordance with national conditions. Not only is it one of the primary requirements of the Convention, it is a fundamental principle for the establishment of decent work for men and women. The Committee points out that data provided in the Barbados Labour Market Information System (BLMIS) reveals the importance of continuing to promote gender equality in training and employment. In reviewing change between 1995 and 2000, while there has been an overall reduction in unemployment, and labour force participation rates remain unchanged and similar between men and women, women continue to suffer from a higher unemployment rate than men (unemployment rate of men: 7.3 per cent; women: 11.3 per cent in 2000). In terms of employment, the 1995-2000 comparison shows that employment of women increased only in government service, while men enjoyed increases in self-employed and private employment categories. Moreover, more women are engaged in unpaid family worker and apprentice status in 2000 than in 1995. The number of men in the same employment status remains the same. In view of the organizational change in the Government and the actual situation of women in the labour force, the Committee hopes that the Government will be in a position to establish an employment equality policy and will provide a copy of the gender action plan upon adoption.

2. Regarding the Committee’s request for information on concrete measures taken by the labour inspectorate to promote the Convention and their impact, the Committee notes that no measures were taken in this regard.  Therefore, it recalls that the ILO remains at the Government’s disposal for technical cooperation.

3. The Committee welcomes the Government’s initiative in police training and the positive results of the training.  The Committee also welcomes the Government’s undertakings in relation to HIV/AIDS including setting up a National Commission on HIV/AIDS and completion of a National Plan of Action involving public education. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether it intends to define HIV/AIDS as a ground upon which discrimination is prohibited in employment and occupation.

4. Further to its previous comment, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the status of any legislative or other initiative on sexual harassment at work.