Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Saint Lucia (Ratification: 1983)

Legislation. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Factory Regulations, 1948, which contain provisions excluding women from certain jobs contrary to the Convention, will be repealed by the new Labour Code. The Committee hopes that the new Labour Code will enter into force without delay, thus repealing the factory regulations and that all laws and regulations containing provisions excluding women from entering certain jobs will be revoked.

Exceptions based on inherent requirements of the job. The Committee recalls section 5(2)(g) of the Equality of Opportunity and Treatment in Employment and Occupation Act, 2000, which in its view may reflect a gender-biased assumption that certain services in the area of health, welfare or education are more effectively provided by persons of a particular sex. The Committee notes that the Government has not taken any steps to repeal or amend section 5(2)(g) of the Act. Remaining concerned that its application may lead to exclusions from employment contrary to the principle of equality as defined in the Convention, the Committee reiterates its request to the Government to repeal or amend section 5(2)(g) in order to ensure conformity with the Convention, in law and in practice. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on any measures taken or envisaged in this regard.

Practical application. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in the private and public sectors through awareness raising, training and other practical measures, and their impact on achieving the objective on equality with respect to all the grounds covered by the Convention.