Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Azerbaijan (Ratification: 1992)

Legislative developments. The Committee notes with interest the adoption and entry into force of the Act on Ensuring Gender Equality of 10 October 2006 (No. 150-IIIO) which aims at ensuring gender equality by eliminating all forms of discrimination based on sex and creating equal opportunities for men and women in all spheres of social life, including employment. The Committee notes in particular that under section 7, the employer has a specific obligation to provide equal treatment in relation to recruitment, promotion, training, working conditions, performance appraisals and dismissal. Section 7 also requires the employer to prevent discrimination based on sex, including sexual harassment, by taking appropriate measures. Article 10 prohibits discriminatory job announcements. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the Act on Ensuring Gender Equality, in particular information on measures taken to make the new provisions widely known. Please also provide information on any complaints and cases regarding discrimination in employment and occupation dealt with by the courts, the labour inspection service or other competent bodies, including information on the number, nature and outcomes of any such proceedings.

Gender equality. The Committee notes that, in addition to putting in place gender equality legislation, the Government included measures to promote gender equality in its employment strategy (2006–15). According to the report, the strategy emphasizes assistance to women in the creation of small enterprises and the introduction of flexible forms of employment with a view to creating new jobs for women. The Government also states that vocational training and involvement of women in public works is a priority of the state employment service. The Committee further notes that the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) (2006–09) envisages the ratification of the Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156), and the elaboration of measures to promote reconciliation of work and family, and the creation of family-friendly workplaces. Further, under the DWCP, compliance of the national legislation with international labour standards will be examined. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the specific measures taken under the employment strategy to ensure women’s equal access to the labour market, including self-employment, and to provide detailed statistical information on the participation of men and women in the different sectors, industries and occupations. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate the progress made in the examination of the national legislation with a view to ensuring compliance with international labour standards on gender equality.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.