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

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Finland (Ratification: 1970)

With reference to its previous direct requests, the Committee notes with interest the various measures outlined in the Government's report to eliminate discrimination in employment on the ground of sex: legislative initiatives to extend parental leave; the Decree on the Equality Plan for the Public Administration of 1 January 1991; the Council of State decision in principle of 7 March 1991 to promote equality between the sexes and the principle of equal pay; the Employment Contracts Amendment Act No. 595 of 27 March 1991 adding specific protection against termination of employment on the ground of pregnancy; and amendment to the Equality Act of 1 August 1992 broadening the grounds of prohibited sexual discrimination.

1. The Committee notes with interest the Ministry of Finance's statistics showing the number of government staff equality plans in force or being drawn up, the description of the Labour Administration's equality plan (setting targets, reporting, publicising of its aims and results through a bulletin and the creation of equality working groups in labour districts), and the adoption by the Ministry of Education in 1991 of an equality plan for training.

The Committee notes, however, the comments of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (SAK) and the Confederation of Salaried Employees of Finland (TVK), pointing respectively to the lack of equality plans in the private sector and of adequate sanctions and group legal action under the Equality Act of 1987, and to the 20 to 25 per cent wage differential between male and female remuneration as the greatest practical obstacle to equality in employment. On this point the Finnish Employers' Confederation (STK) and the Employers' Confederation of Service Industries (LTK) observe that a 1990 study of pay inequalities in industry shows that the difference can be largely ascribed to the fact that men and women have different professions and do different jobs.

The Committee would accordingly request the Government to indicate in its next report what measures have been taken or envisaged: (a) to promote the national policy of non-discrimination in employment in the private sector, with the cooperation of employers' and workers' organizations and other appropriate bodies; and (b) to improve the enforcement of the Equality Act of 1987 through adequate sanctions and means of recourse. The Committee will deal with the question of inequalities in pay in the framework of Convention No. 100, which Finland has ratified.

2. The Committee recalls that the study of sexual harassment in the workplace was to have been completed in late 1992 and that the Government referred to the study as an example of the effort being made to improve working conditions for women. The Committee requests the Government to provide information concerning the study's findings and on any measures taken as a result of the study.

3. The Committee notes that the Working Group set up to investigate the forms of discrimination based on national extraction submitted its report, entitled "Multicultural Finland" in November 1990 to the Ministry of Justice, which recommended, inter alia, the establishment as soon as possible of a broad-based preparatory body entrusted with updating the legislation and administrative procedures needed in this field. Observing that plans for further action are under way, the Committee requests the Government to continue to supply infomation on the measures taken to implement these recommendations.

4. The Committee notes with interest the various legislative measures which have been taken to improve maternity, paternity and parental leave and the protection of maternity and parenthood. It will deal with those matters in due course in the framework of Convention No. 156, also ratified by Finland.