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

Night Work (Women) Convention (Revised), 1948 (No. 89) - Panama (Ratification: 1970)

Article 3 of the Convention. Prohibition of night work of women. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that mistakenly no use was made of the right to denounce the Convention in the period from 27 February 2001 to 27 February 2002 and that it intends to proceed with denunciation on the next possible occasion. The Government reaffirms that the provisions of the Convention are obsolete in the light of socio-economic changes and women’s increased participation in the labour market. It adds that the continued application of the Convention would be in contradiction with the Government’s clear policy in favour of equality of opportunity and treatment and would prejudice women’s access to employment. With respect to the possible ratification of the Night Work Convention, 1990 (No. 171), the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Ministry of Social Development (MIDES) and the Ministry of Labour and Labour Development (MITRADEL) have been favourable to the formal acceptance of this Convention considering that it would help to improve the conditions of female workers and fully integrate women to the process of the political, economic and social development of the country. However, it has not so far been made possible to hold consultations with employers’ and workers’ organizations on this question, the current administration being focused on other priorities, such as the revision of the social security legislation, the necessary measures for the implementation of the ratified Maritime Labour Convention and the establishment of the National Commission on Decent Work. The Committee requests the Government to keep the Office informed of any further developments concerning the denunciation of Convention No. 89 and the eventual ratification of Convention No. 171.