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

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Egypt (Ratification: 1960)

With reference to its previous direct requests, the Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report and requests it to refer also to its observation on the application of this Convention.

1. The Committee recalled previously that section 94(6) of Act No. 47 of 1978 and section 96(6) of Act No. 48 of 1978, concerning respectively the conditions of service of civilian workers in the public administration and the conditions of workers in the public sector, provide that these workers may be dismissed by decision of the President of the Republic in special cases laid down by the special Act concerning this subject. The Government indicated that this special Act had not yet been promulgated but that, in the meantime, cases of non-disciplinary dismissals were regulated by Act No. 10 of 1981. The Committee notes that the Government will transmit the text of this Act as soon as it has been received from the competent departments. It requests the Government to indicate in its next report whether non-disciplinary dismissals are still regulated in the public sector by this text and, if not, to state the texts which are applicable.

2. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government concerning the national employment policy, in the context of economic reform, the establishment of the Social Development Fund and the work of the employment services. It notes that this information is of a general character and particularly economic in nature. It therefore requests the Government to supply with its next report more detailed information on the measures which have been taken to include in this policy the principle of non-discrimination provided for in the Convention and to promote in practice equality of opportunity and treatment.

The Committee notes that research is undertaken and studies prepared on manpower planning and development. It would be useful for the Committee to have at its disposal examples of such studies and information on the application of the principle of non-discrimination in this field.

3. With regard to the employment situation of women, the Committee notes that the Government limits itself to outlining the legislative provisions which govern their employment and does not provide information on the effect given in practice to the principle of the Convention. It notes in particular that, according to the report, women participate in vocational training which is appropriate for their capacities and preferences. In its previous direct request, the Committee noted that the proportion of women attending vocational training centres is much lower than the proportion of men. The Committee once again draws the Government's attention to this situation, which could be improved by taking appropriate measures to ensure equality between men and women in practice. The Committee considers that positive measures to guide girls towards training which is less traditionally or typically "feminine" might be such as to improve the situation and promote the principle of equality.

The Committee requests the Government to transmit with its next report statistics on the number of women employed in positions of responsibility and the sectors concerned, as well as information on specific measures which have been taken to promote in practice equality between men and women in employment, such as the measures taken in the fields of education, public information and vocational training.

4. Please also describe the general methods by which the national policy of equality set out in Article 2 of the Convention is implemented with regard to conditions of employment.

5. The Committee notes the information supplied on the activities and responsibilities of the commissions responsible for workers' affairs established under Acts Nos. 47 and 48 of 1978. It notes the adoption of Act No. 203 of 1992 and requests the Government to supply the text of this Act. It also requests the Government to indicate the manner in which these commissions apply the principles of non-discrimination in their fields of responsibility, as enumerated in the report.