Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Kuwait (Ratification: 1966)

The Committee takes note of the Government's report.

1. With regard to measures to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in vocational training, the Committee notes with interest the details supplied by the Government concerning the courses offered by the General Agency for Practical Education and Training, and particularly the Agency's efforts to offer women the possibility of entering sectors of activity where there is a large concentration of male employees (technical and scientific areas) and to promote women in different areas and specialities. The Committee nevertheless must point out that the Government supplies no statistical data, as requested, on the number of women receiving training in general, or through the Agency's programmes, on the ratio of women to men in such programmes, the background of participants and the results achieved by the Agency's work. It accordingly repeats its request for such information.

2. Noting the Government's statement that public service posts are established without discrimination on the basis of sex or any other ground and the information it provides concerning progress in the employment of women in the public service, evidenced by the appointment of women to the posts of Assistant Under-Secretary of State for the Ministry of Public Administration and Dean of Faculties of the University of Kuwait, the Committee again must point out that no statistics have been provided on the number and distribution of men and women throughout the four principal groups of the public administration. It accordingly asks the Government to supply these details in its next report.

3. The Committee notes that the report does not reply to the final points of its previous direct request and hopes that the Government will communicate with its next report the information requested on the following points:

(a) The Committee again asks the Government to indicate the measures taken or contemplated to ensure that access to employment in the judiciary is guaranteed without discrimination of any kind, particularly on grounds of sex or religion. Please indicate the number and functions of women and members of religious minorities employed in the judiciary.

(b) The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide, in its next report, information on the measures which have been taken as regards equality of opportunity and treatment in employment for the "Bedouns" (stateless persons).