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

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

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. Equality of opportunity and treatment of men and women. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that new measures have been taken to extend the offer of child-care services with a view to promoting women’s access to employment. The Committee will address these measures in the context of the Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156). The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that between January and June 2007, 38,505 women took part in employment programmes and projects, and 3,384 women took part in vocational qualification training with a view to promoting their access to employment. In 2007, women’s employment rate was 57.6 per cent compared to 66 per cent for men. Women’s unemployment was at 7.3 percent compared to 6.6 per cent for men (all figures for population aged 15 to 64). The Committee notes from ILO statistical data for 2006 that among those working in the occupational category of legislators and senior officials some 31 per cent are women. By contrast women are overrepresented among professionals (67 per cent). The Committee requests the Government to provide full information on its policies and programmes to achieve greater gender equality in the labour market by promoting actively equal access and opportunities of men and women to jobs in the widest possible range of economic activities and occupations. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on any specific measures taken to ensure equal access of men and women to decision-making and management positions in the private and public sectors and the progress made in increasing women’s share in high-level jobs. In addition, the Government is asked to provide detailed statistical information on the position of men and women in the labour market, including their distribution in employment in the different economic activities and occupations.

Sexual harassment. The Committee notes that the report contains no reply to the Committee’s previous request to provide information on the implementation and enforcement of provisions of the Act on the Protection against Discrimination concerning sexual harassment. The Committee requests the Government to provide this information in its next report.

Articles 2 and 5. Special measures. The Committee recalls that, pursuant to section 24(1) of the Act on Protection against Discrimination, employers must encourage persons belonging to the under-represented sex or ethnic group to apply for available jobs or positions. Under section 24(2), the employer is obliged to encourage vocational training of the same target group. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the implementation and enforcement of these provisions.

Collection of data concerning the situation of ethnic minorities. Further to its observation, the Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the self-identification form provided to the Employment Agency, to indicate how this measure has assisted the authorities to monitor better the level of registered unemployment among ethnic minorities, and to provide any statistical data established as a result of this measure. Please also indicate whether any studies are being carried out regarding the employment situation of disadvantaged ethnic groups and on measures being taken or considered to improve the means and methods to monitor it, including through appropriate data collection and analysis. The Committee requests the Government to seek the advice of the Commission on the Protection of Discrimination in this respect and to provide information on the Commission’s views thereon.