Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Switzerland (Ratification: 1961)

Referring to its previous observations, the Committee takes note of the detailed information and documentation supplied by the Government in its report. It also notes the observations on the application of the Convention presented by the Trade Union Confederation of Switzerland (USS).

1. The Committee notes with interest that the Federal Office for Equality between men and women has undertaken many activities, including the organization of inquiries, information campaigns and conferences; the examination of draft laws and other related measures; and advisory and mediation services. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply this kind of information, in particular the results of the current inquiries into sexual harassment, the extension of promotional measures in favour of women to enterprises and the vocational training models aimed at young adults.

2. The Committee notes with interest that cantonal equality offices have been established in many cantons and that others are about to be opened. It again requests the Government to supply information on the activities undertaken and the results achieved by these offices regarding the promotion of equality of opportunity and treatment in the fields of (a) access to vocational training; (b) access to employment and to particular occupations; and (c) terms and conditions of employment.

3. With reference to the legislative programme for equality between men and women, the Committee notes that the draft Federal Bill on Equality between men and women, which was the subject of wide consultation throughout 1991, was to have been presented to Parliament by the Federal Council in December 1992, in the form of a single Act applying to all workers in the private and public sectors. The Committee notes that the USS points out that this draft has still not been transmitted to Parliament, despite the double consultation which had brought to light the general support for it, except from the employers' organizations.

The Committee hopes that the Bill, which provides a general prohibition of all discrimination based on sex and increased protection against dismissal, will be adopted in the near future and that the Government will supply the text as soon as it is promulgated.

4. The Committee notes the Government's indication that work on the revision of the Labour Act is still continuing and that it aims at eliminating the special provisions regarding working time and rest for female workers, which are contrary to the constitutional principle of equality of the sexes and which disadvantage women in the labour market. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information concerning progress made towards the revision of the Labour Act and to indicate its impact in the field of equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation.

5. The Committee is addressing a request directly to the Government on aspects of the application of this Convention.