Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Paid Educational Leave Convention, 1974 (No. 140) - Czechia (Ratification: 1993)

Articles 2 and 6 of the Convention. Formulation and application of a policy designed to promote the granting of paid educational leave. Participation of the social partners. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide an evaluation of its policy designed to promote the granting of paid educational leave as well as examples showing how social dialogue is used in the formulation and application of the policy. In addition, the Government was requested to provide general information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there is no information available on the number of workers to whom paid educational leave was granted. The Government adds that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs will examine the possibility of collecting data on the provision of paid educational leave under collective agreements. The Committee further notes that the Government does not provide information concerning the formulation and application of a policy to promote the granting of paid educational leave. The Committee therefore once again reiterates its request that the Government provide information on the development and implementation of a policy and the measures taken or envisaged – in consultation with the representative employers’ and workers’ organizations – to promote the granting of paid educational leave for the purpose of occupational training at any level (Article 2(a)); general, social and civic education (Article 2(b)); and trade union education (Article 2(c)). The Committee also once again reiterates its request that the Government provide extracts of the relevant collective agreements together with extracts of reports, studies or inquiries relating to the practical application of the Convention, and available statistics on the number of workers to whom paid educational leave was granted (Part V of the report form).

Article 8. Discrimination. The Government indicates that, under section 16 of the Labour Code, employers are required to ensure that all employees are treated equally with regard to, among other employment-related elements, working conditions, remuneration and other benefits, vocational training and opportunities for career advancement. In this context, the Government refers to the adoption of Act No. 206/2017 Coll., which came into effect on 29 July 2017, amending the Labour Code and the Employment Act. The Committee notes that the amendment to section 16(2) of the Labour Code provides that “in labour law relations, any discrimination, in particular discrimination on grounds of sex, sexual orientation, racial or ethnic origin, nationality, social origin, gender, language, health, age, religion or belief, property, marital and family status, family or political or other relationship, political or other opinion, membership and activity in political parties or political movements, trade unions or employers’ organizations; discrimination on grounds of pregnancy, maternity, paternity or sexual identification shall be considered discrimination on grounds of sex”. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any measures adopted or envisaged to ensure that all workers enjoy equal access to paid educational leave.