Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Cameroon (Ratification: 1988)

The Committee notes that the report submitted by the Government in 2012 is identical to the one which it sent in 2011 and therefore does not contain any reply to the Committee’s previous comments. It hopes that the next report will contain detailed information on the points raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Repetition

Discrimination based on sex. Sexual harassment. The Government indicates in its report that sexual harassment is prohibited and punished under the Penal Code (section 347). The Committee notes, however, that this provision addresses indecent assault on minors aged between 16 and 21 and does not cover all situations of sexual harassment at work. The Committee trusts that the Government will take the necessary steps to include in the labour legislation provisions that prohibit and punish sexual harassment, both quid pro quo and hostile working environment harassment. The Government is asked to provide information on any measures taken to this end, whether or not in the course of revising the Labour Code, and on any specific measures taken to prevent sexual harassment at the workplace.

Access of girls and women to education, training and vocational guidance. The Government indicates that it has focused, in particular, on promoting access to education and vocational training for young people, in particular by granting science scholarships to female students. While noting this information, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the promotion of equality in education and vocational training, and on the manner in which such measures are reflected in women’s employment, and particularly women’s access to a broader range of jobs traditionally held by men.

Discrimination against indigenous peoples. The Government states in its report that there has been a significant improvement in the situation of members of the Baka, Bagyéli and Mbororo communities in the labour market. The Committee asks the Government to provide specific information in support of this statement, specifying, in particular, the measures it has taken to improve the living conditions of the Baka, Bagyéli and Mbororo peoples and the conditions in which they carry on their respective traditional activities. The Government is again asked to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to prevent and combat persistent stereotyping and prejudice against the members of indigenous communities, in particular through awareness-raising campaigns and the promotion of equality between all sectors of the population.

Article 3(d). Employment under the direct control of a national authority. In the absence of any information on this point in the Government’s report, the Committee again asks the Government to provide information on the application of the Convention in the public service, particularly on the measures taken to promote equality of opportunity and treatment for men and women, including in respect of recruitment, training and promotion. Noting the Government’s statement that the statistics requested will be sent later, the Committee reiterates its request for statistical information on public employment, disaggregated by sex, and according to level of education, type of employment and level of responsibility, and hopes that the Government will shortly be in a position to provide such data.

Activities of the National Committee on Human Rights and Freedoms (CNDHL) and the National Advisory Committee on Labour (CNCT). The Committee notes the observations of the Confederation of United Workers of Cameroon (CTUC), dated 20 October 2011, expressing the firm hope that the CNCT will meet in the near future, including to discuss the revision of the Labour Code. Noting the Government’s statement that information on the employment and occupation activities of the CNDHL will be sent as soon as possible, the Committee reiterates its request for such information and for information on the activities of the CNCT that focus specifically on equality and non-discrimination in employment and occupation, including regarding any consultations with respect to the revision of the Labour Code.

Part V of the report form. Statistics. Noting the creation of the National Labour Observatory in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the Committee trusts that the Government will shortly be in a position to provide statistics on the situation of men and women in the labour market in the various sectors of the economy and at different levels of responsibility.