Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Sierra Leone (Ratification: 1968)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Application of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value in law. Previously, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the status of the draft Labour Act. It also requested the Government to take the necessary measures to raise awareness of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value among workers, employers, labour officials and judges, such as disseminating training material and organizing specific training sessions. The Committee notes that in its report the Government provides information about the withdrawal of various Labour Bills and indicates that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) is currently discussing the matter with the social partners. The Government also indicates that the MLSS conducts awareness-raising activities on the principle of the Convention. The Committee further notes that the National Employment Policy 2020-2024 includes the promotion of “equal remuneration for work of equal value for both men and women” under its sixth pillar “Enhance Labour Standards and Social dialogue for Decent Work”. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on any new development concerning the drafting and adoption of the draft Labour Act. It also asks the Government to provide information on the implementation of the National Employment Policy in so far as the principle of the Convention is concerned, including information on any promotional activities undertaken in collaboration with the social partners.

Article 3. Objective job evaluation. Public sector. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government: (1) to provide information on the progress made in the establishment of the Wages and Compensation Commission, and the adoption of the bill on wages and compensation; (2) to supply information on any job evaluation exercise carried out and the establishment of a new pay structure; and (3) to indicate how it is ensured that job evaluation exercises are free from gender bias and that skills typically identified with women are not overlooked or undervalued. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Wages and Compensation Bill awaits debate and subsequent enactment in Parliament. The Government also states that the Bill is the result of a job evaluation exercise. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the status of the Wages and Compensation Bill and on the job evaluation undertaken in connection with the drafting of the Bill, including information on the steps taken to ensure that the job evaluation was free from gender bias and that skills typically identified with women were not overlooked or undervalued.

Statistics. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide statistical information, disaggregated by gender, on the labour market and the remuneration of workers, with a view to evaluating the gender pay gap. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that it is not in a position to provide such information due to the limited capacity to collect it through the regular undertaking of labour force surveys. It recalls the importance of statistical information to determine the nature, extent and causes of unequal remuneration, to set priorities and design appropriate measures, to monitor and evaluate the impact of such measures, and make any necessary adjustments. The Committee hopes that the Government will be in a position to supply statistics on the earnings of men and women in the various sectors and occupations of the economy in the near future and reminds the Government of the possibility to avail itself of ILO technical assistance in this regard.