Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Israel (Ratification: 1959)

Equality of opportunity and treatment irrespective of race, national extraction or religion. The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government. The Committee notes in particular that the employment rate for Arab men aged 25–64 years declined from 71.8 per cent in 2008 to 70.5 per cent in 2009, but rose again to 72.2 per cent in 2011. The employment rate for the total male population in 2011 was 77.7 per cent. The Committee further notes the Government resolutions adopted in 2010 and 2011 on five-year plans for the Arab, Bedouin, Druze and Circassian population, for which 3 billion Israeli shekel (ILS) has been allocated. Diverse measures continue to be implemented in the framework of these multi-year plans, including the establishment of one-stop employment centres (21) by 2015, the development of industrial zones in 15 Arab localities, the development of vocational training and employment vouchers, and the establishment of subsidies to encourage employers to hire employees from populations with low participation rates, including in the high-tech and business sectors. Incentive measures have also been developed to promote entrepreneurship in the Arab and Bedouin communities. The Committee further notes that with respect to representation of Arab population in governmental companies, the Government indicates that in the case of non-fulfilment of the representation requirements, warnings will be issued. If these warnings are not taken into account, no further appointments will be authorized until the adequate representation is respected. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the various measures and programmes implemented, with specific information concerning their concrete impact, to promote equal access to employment of Arab Israelis, Druze and Circassians. The Committee also requests the Government to provide up-to-date information disaggregated, by sex and sector of population, on labour force participation, unemployment and employment rates.

Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC). The Committee notes the information concerning the activities carried out by the EEOC. The Committee notes in particular the development, since 2012, of a written policy for workforce diversity in cooperation with interested employers; five employers have already adhered to this initiative. The EEOC is also carrying out two pilot projects: one project aims at introducing indicators for equality in the workplace that will allow self-monitoring by employers and the second project, developed with the Tel Aviv University for Management Programs, consists in a programme of training for managers for the implementation of diversity in their organizations. The Committee also notes that 781 complaints were filed to the EEOC in 2011, compared to 644 in 2010. These complaints refer to sexual harassment, pregnancy and discrimination on the basis of religion, age and gender, among others. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the specific activities carried out by the EEOC and their impact in addressing discrimination in employment and occupation. The Committee again requests the Government to indicate any measures taken or envisaged to address discrimination based on pregnancy as well as any measures to promote reconciliation between work and family responsibilities.

Promotion of gender equality in employment and occupation. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that employment rate among Arab women aged 25–64 years has continued to rise from 24.4 per cent in 2008 to 26.8 per cent in 2011 while the employment rate of all women rose from 64.9 per cent to 66.3 per cent in 2011. The Committee notes the statistical information according to which the participation of women in senior positions has increased. The Committee also notes the measures adopted with a view to increase Arab women’s participation in the labour market, including through their enrolment in the national civil service. Measures have also been adopted to encourage them to enter into the nursery system and to promote their entrepreneurship. Day care facilities in the Arab sector are being facilitated, including for part-time working women. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the range of measures adopted to improve participation of women in public positions and senior grades and the results achieved. Please provide information on the activities carried out by the Authority for Advancing the Status of Women with respect to training, education and employment of women, including of women from particularly disadvantaged groups. Please provide statistical information disaggregated by sex and population group.

Sexual harassment. The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government according to which 245 investigations were opened in 2011, resulting in nine indictments and 62 warnings. In 2012, 155 investigations were opened, with three indictments and 28 criminal warnings. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to prevent and eliminate sexual harassment in employment and occupation including awareness-raising activities and other action carried out by the Authority for Advancing the Status of Women. Please continue to provide information on the complaints regarding sexual harassment dealt with by the EEOC.

Civil service. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that although the target set for 2012 that at least 10 per cent of all civil servants would come from the Arab sector, could not be attained, all efforts are being made to reach it in the future. The Committee notes in particular that in 2011 there were 4,982 Arab employees in the civil service and that the proportion increased from 7 per cent in 2009 to 7.8 per cent in 2011 and 8.37 per cent in 2012. The Committee further notes the change in the criteria for the allocation of designated positions which currently gives greater priority to Arab candidates. The Committee also notes the initiatives concerning the examination of the evaluation process and the promotion campaign of the civil service among non-Jewish candidates. The Committee further notes that the Knesset passed a law for the extension of the representation of the Druze population in the civil service. The Committee requests the Government to continue to take concrete measures that will help to reach the target of 10 per cent of civil servants from Arab, Druze and Circassian population groups in the near future and to provide information on any developments in this respect as well as on the activities carried out by the Authority for the Economic Development of the Arab, Druze and the Circassian sectors. Please include statistical information, disaggregated by sex.