Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Malawi (Ratification: 1965)

Application of the principle in the civil service. The Committee recalls its previous observation pointing out that the current occupational segregation of women in the civil service may result in remuneration gaps between men and women, and that the collection of statistical data on the distribution of men and women in the various grades of the public service and on their corresponding salary levels is crucial both in order to evaluate the nature, extent and causes of gender pay differentials and to assess the application of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that no gender wage gap exists in the civil service since the same “remuneration package” is applied to women and men. The Committee also notes the Government’s acknowledgement that few women hold managerial positions as their short-lived employment prevents them from progressing in the job hierarchy. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that efforts are currently being made to promote women’s longer term employment and to enable them to gain access to the educational careers and jobs which have traditionally been predominantly held by men. Moreover, the Committee notes that the statistical information requested will be provided as soon as it becomes available. Referring to its 2006 general observation on the Convention, the Committee asks the Government to ensure that equal remuneration is recognized not only for women and men performing the same job, but also for men and women performing jobs of a different nature but which are, nonetheless, of equal value. The Committee also asks the Government to provide more complete information on the measures taken or envisaged to retain women in the public service with a view to encouraging their advancement towards decision-making positions. It also requests information on the measures taken to promote women’s access to a wider range of educational and job opportunities, including information on the impact of such measures on the application of the principle of the Convention.

Wage disparities between men and women in rural areas. Further to its previous observation on the communication submitted by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), now the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), regarding the discrimination faced by women in rural areas, the Committee notes from the Government’s report that the minimum wage established in the country following consultations with the social partners applies to all economic sectors, including agriculture. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that awareness-raising campaigns on the principle of the Convention and strengthened inspection are needed and that, in the districts where discrimination cases have been reported, labour inspection has already been intensified. With regard to the promotion of measures aimed at facilitating the reconciliation of work and family responsibilities and the equal sharing of family responsibilities between men and women rural workers, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that gender roles are deeply rooted in the cultural texture of society and they can only be changed in the long run with the involvement of all stakeholders. The Committee encourages the Government to promote, in cooperation with the social partners, the adoption of adequate measures to assist rural women to reconcile their work and family responsibilities and to have a more equitable sharing of family responsibilities between men and women workers. The Committee also asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to strengthen the labour inspection services with respect to the application of the principle of the Convention to the agricultural sector, including the supply of specific training, as well as information on any violations detected and the remedies provided or the sanctions imposed in this regard. Please also provide information on the sensitization and awareness-raising campaigns carried out with regard to men’s and women’s right to equal remuneration for work of equal value in the rural areas.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.