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

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Guatemala (Ratification: 1961)

Wage gap. The Committee notes that, according to the statistics for 2007 supplied by the Government, the average monthly wage for women is approximately 94 per cent of the average wage for men (wage gap: 6 per cent). However, the wage gap varies according to the age group and economic activity concerned. The Committee notes in particular that the average monthly wage for women represents 88.76 per cent of the average wage for men in the mining and quarrying sector, 83.64 per cent in the manufacturing industry, 84.60 per cent in commerce and 87.72 per cent in services, indicating that in some cases the gender-based wage gap may exceed 15 per cent. The Committee asks the Government to supply detailed information on the measures taken or contemplated to reduce the gender wage gap. It also asks the Government to supply up to date statistics on the rates of remuneration for men and women in the various sectors of activity, disaggregated by occupational category and job, to enable the Committee to evaluate progress achieved.

Article 1 of the Convention. Equal remuneration for work of equal value. Legislation. In its previous observation the Committee noted that no progress had been made on the adoption of measures to give legislative expression to the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value, and urged the Government to intensify its efforts and keep the Office informed in this respect.

The Committee notes with concern that the Government’s report does not supply any information in this respect. The Committee once again underlines the importance of explicitly establishing the principle of the Convention in the national legislation in order to promote the elimination of pay discrimination against women. Referring to its 2006 general observation on the Convention, the Committee points out that the principle of equal remuneration for “work of equal value” goes beyond equal remuneration for “equal”, the “same” or “similar” work, since it also encompasses work that is of an entirely different nature but which is nevertheless of equal value. The Committee also wishes to emphasize that the concept of “work of equal value” is fundamental to tackling occupational sex segregation in the  labour market resulting from historical attitudes and stereotypes regarding women’s aspirations, preferences and capabilities with regard to certain jobs, the result of which has been that certain jobs are held predominantly or exclusively by women and others by men and “female jobs” are undervalued in comparison with work of equal value performed by men, when determining wage rates.

The Committee therefore urges the Government to take all necessary steps to give legislative expression to the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value, and encourages the Government to seek technical assistance from the Office in this respect, if necessary.

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