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

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Bahrain (Ratification: 2000)

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. Equality of opportunity between women and men. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that women are free to choose jobs that suit them and their capacities, and that there are no legal obstacles limiting the jobs women may undertake. The Government states further that the Ministry of Labour uses its resources to develop and promote women’s skills in order to help them access the labour market and get promoted. The Government also points to the increasing number of women benefiting from vocational training (399 in 2005 and 601 in 2006). Even in the absence of legal obstacles to women’s access to certain areas of vocational training and to certain jobs, the Committee recalls that stereotyped assumptions regarding women’s aspirations and capabilities, as well as their suitability for certain jobs, continue to lead to the segregation of women and men in education and training, and consequently in the job market. The Committee, therefore, requests the Government to take concrete measures to ensure women have access to a wider range of educational, training and employment opportunities, including in areas traditionally dominated by men, and to provide information on the steps taken in this regard.  The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of women and men in vocational training courses, including the nature of the courses being undertaken, and how such training has translated into employment opportunities for women. In the absence of a reply from the Government, the Committee again requests information on the specific measures taken under the National Strategy for the Advancement of Women to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation, including measures designed to overcome traditional stereotypes affecting women’s participation in the labour market, and on the impact of such measures. Please also provide information on the number of women and men, including foreign workers, benefiting from the incentives provided under the unemployment insurance scheme to enter the labour market or return to work, and under the National Employment Project, and the jobs that have been secured as a result.

National equality policy on grounds other than sex. Noting the importance of a national policy promoting equality of opportunity and treatment on all the grounds enumerated in the Convention, and in the absence of a response from the Government on this point, the Committee once again asks the Government to indicate the steps taken to adopt a national policy to promote equality of opportunity and treatment on the grounds of race, colour, political opinion, religion, national extraction and social origin.

Article 3(a). Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations to promote non-discrimination and equality in employment and occupation.

Article 3(d). Public service. The Committee notes the entry into force of the Civil Service Act No. 35, 2006, and Order No. 37 of 2007 promulgating the regulations to the Civil Service Act. A translation of these documents has not yet been made available. The Committee, therefore, requests the Government to provide information identifying the specific provisions, including the content thereof, of the Civil Service Act and the accompanying regulations which are relevant to the implementation of the Convention.

Enforcement. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there have been no cases of discrimination in employment received by the Ministry or the labour inspectorate. The Committee recalls that the absence of discrimination cases could indicate the lack of an appropriate legal basis or procedures for bringing a claim, or lack of awareness of the principles of the Convention, or of the existing procedures. The Committee, therefore, requests the Government to provide information on any measures taken to raise awareness of workers and employers of the principles of the Convention, and of available avenues of dispute resolution. In the absence of a reply to its previous request, the Committee again asks the Government to indicate whether the training programmes organized for the judiciary and law enforcement officials specifically address the issue of discrimination in employment and occupation.

Statistics. The Committee again requests the Government to provide statistical information on the distribution of women and men in the different economic sectors, occupational categories and positions, including information on the levels of remuneration.