Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - France (Ratification: 1981)

1. Promotion of gender equality in access to employment. In its previous observation, the Committee asked the Government to provide information on the practical results achieved in combating occupational segregation and precarious employment and in promoting women’s access to further training. The Committee notes that the agreement between the National Employment Agency (ANPE) and the Ministry for Occupational Parity and Equality formalizes a national partnership to promote the occupational integration of women, strengthen gender balance in jobs and promote equality at work. The Committee also notes that the public authorities have taken steps to enhance the capacities of public service officials in the prevention and combating of discrimination, and have implemented agreements and programmes to promote the integration of immigrant women in employment and training, and to combat occupational segregation, particularly in the construction industry. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken to improve women’s access to the construction industry and to continue supplying information on the activities undertaken by the ANPE and its partners with regard to equality of access and treatment in employment and training, including the measures taken to promote gender balance in enterprises and reduce the occupational segregation of women.

2. Gender equality in access to employment in the public service. The Committee notes the statement in the Government’s report that women are still outnumbered by men in the highest level posts but that the numbers of women are clearly increasing in certain activities and occupations. The Committee notes that an active policy has been implemented to promote gender equality in the public service, especially through the implementation of multi-annual plans to facilitate women’s access to higher management posts in all ministries and through the collection of statistical data disaggregated by sex on employment in the public service. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the impact of the policy to promote gender equality in the public service, particularly on reducing the occupational segregation of women and increasing their participation in higher management posts.

3. Gender equality in access to training. The Committee notes that under the Act of 23 March 2006 on equal pay for men and women states activities are being undertaken at regional level to meet learning and training requirements by promoting a gender balance in access to various branches of training. The Committee notes that, under the provisions of this Act, the State will determine objectives in any agreements that it signs, which promote a gender balance in the occupations for which preparation is made through the various forms of initial and further vocational training. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken at regional level to promote women’s access to all forms of available training, including information on the impact of these measures on the gender balance in access to training. Moreover, the Committee requests the Government to supply information on the steps taken by the State to promote access to employment linked to their studies for women who follow these programmes, and requests the Government to provide information on the results achieved in this area.

4. Travellers. The Committee recalls that the National Advisory Commission on Travellers was set up to provide a forum for national dialogue between travellers’ representatives, elected representatives, the administration and other qualified persons. The Committee recalls that the role of this commission is, among others, to examine the specific problems encountered by travellers and make proposals to improve their integration in the national community, particularly with respect to employment. The Committee urges the Government to provide information on the activities of the National Advisory Commission on Travellers which aim to promote the integration of travellers in the employment market and to ensure that they do not suffer discriminatory treatment in respect of employment and occupation.

5. Practical application. Labour inspection and court decisions. Noting that the Government has not supplied any information on labour inspection activities and court decisions relating to the application of the principles of the Convention, the Committee requests the Government to send information in this respect. The Committee requests the Government once again to supply information on recent court decisions concerning to the provisions of the Anti-Discrimination Act No. 2001-1006 of 16 November 2001 amending the Penal Code and the Labour Code, in particular with regard to the burden of proof in cases of discrimination.