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

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Barbados (Ratification: 1974)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Repetition

Sexual harassment. The Committee recalls that the Employment Rights Bill does not contain a provision explicitly providing protection against sexual harassment. The Committee further notes the Government’s brief statement that discussions have been held with stakeholders on draft sexual harassment legislation. The Committee draws the attention of the Government to its obligation under the Convention to address all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in an effective manner. The Committee asks the Government to step up its efforts to adopt legislation providing protection against sexual harassment, taking into account the elements set out in the 2002 general observation on this Convention, and to consider incorporating provisions on sexual harassment in the Employment Rights Bill. It requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this respect.

Discrimination on the grounds of race, colour and national extraction. The Committee recalls its previous request for information, including statistics, on the labour market situation of the different “racial” groups, and their employment levels in the public and private sectors, in light of concerns expressed regarding racism in the country. The Committee notes the Government’s very brief reply that such information should be provided by the Manpower Research and Statistical Unit of the Ministry of Labour and Civil Service. The Committee draws the attention of the Government to Article 3(f) of the Convention, pursuant to which it is required to indicate in its reports on the application of the Convention the action taken in pursuance of its equality policy with respect to, among others, the grounds of race, colour and national extraction, and the results secured by such action. The Committee therefore urges the Government to make every effort to collect, analyse (through studies or otherwise) and supply information, including statistics, on the labour market situation of the different groups protected under the Convention, and the action undertaken to promote and ensure equality of opportunity and treatment with respect to race, colour and national extraction and eliminate discrimination in employment and occupation based on these grounds.

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Articles 2 and 3. National policy to promote gender equality. The Committee recalls its previous comments in which it had noted the significant occupational gender segregation, with women being confined primarily to a limited range of occupations. It had also noted the various initiatives set out in the Government’s report to promote gender equality, including the drafting of a national gender policy through an inclusive consultative approach. The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain any information on any progress made or any results secured by the gender equality initiatives mentioned previously. The Committee requests the Government to provide full information on the outcome of the consultations and the status of the national gender policy. The Committee also reiterates its requests for information on the impact of the gender equality initiatives, and on the measures taken or envisaged to promote access of women to a wider range of occupations.