Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Sri Lanka (Ratification: 1993)

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Article 1 of the Convention. Additional emoluments. The Committee refers to its previous comments concerning the practice of providing meals for men rural workers, but not for women. In the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee again recalls that the term “remuneration” provided for in Article 1(a) of the Convention includes all elements that a worker may receive for his or her work, including allowances paid alongside, or in addition to, the basic wage, such as meals and housing facilities, regardless of the term used in practice to designate such benefits. The Committee again requests the Government to ensure that all emoluments, whether in cash or in kind, are granted to men and women on an equal footing and to provide information on any specific steps taken in this regard.

Article 2. Equal remuneration in the plantation industry, including palm oil plantations. The Committee notes the statistics disaggregated by sex, provided by the Government in its report regarding the number of workers in the plantation sector (where women workers – whether resident of non-resident – predominate). The Government also indicates that the plan to establish wage boards for palm oil plantations has been discontinued, given the decision not to promote this industry because of its impact on the environment. The Committee requests the Government to gather and supply statistical information on the earning levels of men and women workers in the plantation industry, if possible disaggregated by occupation. It also reiterates its request for information on the measures taken to address any gender remuneration gap identified.

Export processing zones (EPZs). The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government on average salary levels in the manufacturing sector at Katunayake EPZ, disaggregated by occupational categories and its statement that all workers in the same category receive the same remuneration, regardless of sex. It also notes that the statistics do not indicate the number of men and women employed in the various occupational categories. The Committee recalls that the principle of the Convention encompasses not only the same work, or work in the same occupation or activity, performed by men and women under the same conditions and specifications, but should also allow for the comparison of work performed by men and women that is of an entirely different nature, but which may or may not be of equal value. The Committee also emphasizes that due to historical attitudes and stereotypes regarding women’s aspirations, preferences and capabilities, certain jobs are held predominantly or exclusively by women and others by men. Often “female jobs” are undervalued in comparison with work of equal value performed by men when determining wage rates (see 2012 General Survey on the fundamental Conventions, paragraphs 673–697). The Committee again requests the Government to provide information on: (i) the distribution of men and women and their corresponding levels of earnings in the various occupational categories (unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, higher skilled and managerial occupations) in enterprises in EPZs; and (ii) the manner in which the principle of the Convention is taken into account in the process of wage determination, in particular, with a view to ensuring that the jobs predominantly performed by women in EPZs are not being undervalued compared to those predominantly performed by men. Recalling the Government’s earlier statement about the need for an in-depth study to get a clearer picture on wage determination in jobs predominantly performed by women in EPZs, the Committee encourages the Government to undertake such a study, in collaboration with the social partners.

Article 3. Objective job evaluation. In the absence of a reply in the Government’s report and recalling the importance of measuring and comparing the relative value of different jobs to apply the principle of the Convention, the Committee again requests the Government to take the necessary steps to develop and promote practical approaches and methods for objective job evaluation using objective criteria free from gender bias, such as qualifications and skills, effort, responsibilities and conditions of work, and to provide information on any progress made in this regard.

Awareness raising. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the enforcement and awareness raising activities undertaken by the Department of Labour regarding women workers and their working environment. Noting that such information does not concern remuneration of women or the gender pay gap, the Committee requests the Government to provide specific information on the measures taken to disseminate information on, and raise awareness of, the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value, in particular the concepts of “equal value” and “objective job evaluation”, among workers, employers, their organizations, as well as labour inspectors and other officials.