Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Gabon (Ratification: 1961)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and asks the Government to provide additional information on the following points.

1. The Committee notes that the Government provides no new information with regard to the scope of section 140 of the Labour Code. The Committee recalls that for several years it has been pointing out that the principle of equal remuneration set out in section 140 is narrower than the principle laid down in the Convention, as it does not appear to allow a comparison between jobs of a different nature and content, but which are still of equal value. The Committee therefore hopes that the Government will endeavour to amend this provision, at an appropriate time, to bring it into conformity with the principle set out in the Convention.

2. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes from the Government’s report that payments in addition to the base salary are paid without any discrimination on the grounds of sex. Recalling that the Convention envisages objective evaluation of jobs in order to determine remuneration in a non-discriminatory manner, the Committee reiterates its request to the Government to indicate the manner in which wages are fixed in practice, both those fixed as minimum wages through Presidential Decree and through collective agreements.

3. In respect of its previous comments regarding the importance of obtaining statistical information on the levels of income of men and women as a tool for promoting the application of the Convention, the Committee notes the Government’s intention to strengthen the statistical unit attached to the Directorate of Research and Documentation, in order to be in a position to better collect and process statistical information. The Committee also notes the statistical data provided by the Government indicating the representation of women among the civil servants in the different grades and their share among those holding posts of responsibility. It notes that overall some 34 per cent of the posts in the public service are held by women, with 19 and 29 per cent occupying the two highest grades. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide similar information in its future reports, including, as far as possible, statistical information on the earnings of women and men in the public and private sector as outlined in the 1998 general observation on the Convention. Please keep the Committee informed of any efforts undertaken to improve the availability of statistical data with regard to earnings of men and women.

4. Finally, the Committee notes from the report that the Government has taken measures to reinforce the mechanisms to enforce the application of the Convention, in particular strengthening the labour inspectorate through training. The Government is asked to continue to provide information on the concrete measures taken to promote the application of the Convention through the labour inspectorate, including information on any specific activities carried out by labour inspectors with regard to equal remuneration and cases of wage discrimination addressed by them. Noting that the application of the Convention is also promoted by the Ministry of Family Affairs, the Protection of Children and the Promotion of Women, as well as by women’s associations and NGOs, the Committee asks the Government to provide additional information on the activities undertaken.