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

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Nicaragua (Ratification: 1967)

With reference to its previous direct requests, the Committee notes the information contained in the Government's reports.

1. The Committee had noted that the principle of equal remuneration set forth in article 82(1) of the Political Constitution of 9 January 1987 ("workers shall be entitled to conditions of employment that secure them in particular equal wages for equal work in identical conditions adapted to their social responsibility, without discrimination on political, religious, or social grounds or grounds of sex or any other kind") is more limited than the principle enunciated in Article 2 of the Convention, which refers to equal remuneration for "work of equal value". As the Government repeats its previous statements that "equal work in identical conditions" is the same as the Convention's term of equal remuneration for work of equal value, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide further information in its next report on any legislation or judicial decisions defining these terms or clarifying the application of article 82(1) in practice.

2. The Committee notes that the Government is unaware whether the classification of jobs (referred to in the Government's previous reports) was completed, since the Government is unable to find data in this regard. The Committee notes, however, from the Government's report for the period ending 30 June 1990, that a new classification of jobs was being established, initially in the public sector. The Committee requests the Government to provide full information on the methods and criteria used to establish this classification, and to provide a copy of the new job classification and the applicable wage rates.

3. The Committee also would appreciate receiving copies of recent individual contracts or collective agreements fixing wages in the private sector, and detailed information on the application in practice of the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value, particularly in sectors employing a large proportion of women.