Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975 (No. 143) - Italy (Ratification: 1981)

Part II of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government's reports. In its previous comments concerning the observations submitted earlier by the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL), the Committee requested the Government to indicate the measures that had been taken or were envisaged, in co-operation with employers' and workers' organisations, to secure the acceptance and observance in practice of the policy of equal opportunity and treatment set out in Article 12 of the Convention, particularly as regards migrant domestic workers.

In its report, received in June 1989, the Government indicates that the existence of Act No. 943 of 1986 which regulates domestic workers and the relevant collective agreement prevent any discrimination, that differences of treatment exist between nationals on the basis of occupation, region and market demand and that these differences of treatment cannot be considered to be discriminatory unless the criteria on which these differences are based or are the product of prejudices or discrimination.

The Committee takes due note of these indications. With reference to paragraph 285 of its 1980 General Survey on Migrant Workers, the Committee recalls that Part II of the Convention requires not only the repeal of statutory provisions and the modification of administrative practices which are discriminatory, but also action by the public authorities to promote equality of opportunity in practice. As regards the content of the national policies designed to promote and guarantee equality of opportunity and treatment, the Committee refers to the indications set out in paragraphs 162 to 170 of its 1988 General Survey on Equality in Employment and Occupation.

The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the measures that have been taken or are envisaged in co-operation with employers' and workers' organisations to secure the observance of a policy of equal opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation for persons who, as migrant workers or as members of their families, are lawfully within its territory. It also requests the Government to supply information on the points raised in a direct request.