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

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Dominican Republic (Ratification: 1964)

The Committee notes the Government's reports which also refer to information supplied in the Government's reports on the application of Conventions Nos. 95, 100 and 105.

1. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes with satisfaction that Fundamental Principle VII of the Labour Code adopted on 29 May 1992 (Act No. 16-92), expressly prohibits "(a)ny discrimination, exclusion or preference based on grounds of sex, age, race, colour, national origin, social origin, political views, trade union activity or religious belief" and thus covers the grounds of discrimination listed in Article 1, paragraph 1(a), of the Convention.

2. The Committee also notes with satisfaction that the Labour Code adopted on 29 May 1992 has repealed the provisions and amendments of the 1951 Labour Code which required women (but not men) wishing to take up employment to provide a medical certificate attesting physical fitness for work.

3. The Committee also notes the Government's statement that by law, workers of Haitian origin in sugar plantations, as well as those engaged in agricultural work, stock-raising and in informal employment and other sectors of activity, enjoy the same rights and benefits as other workers with Dominican nationality. The Committee again requests the Government to provide detailed information on labour inspection activities for the enforcement of legal provisions prohibiting discrimination and other measures that have been taken to ensure that, in practice, Dominican workers of Haitian origin are not subject to any discrimination in employment, in accordance with the Convention.

4. The Committee is addressing a request directly to the Government on other aspects of the Convention.