Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Philippines (Ratification: 1953)

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report.

1. The Committee notes with interest that the Bureau of Women and Young Workers (BWYW) has included in its Statistical Performance and Reporting System (SPRS) 2001-03 indicators to gauge or determine violations of specific standards affecting women workers in establishments inspected, starting year 2001 and beyond. These indicators include night work prohibition, non-payment of maternity benefit, discrimination (Article 135), stipulation against marriage and prohibited acts (Article 137). The Department’s Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) shall include the consolidated statistics in the regular (quarterly and yearly) publications. The Committee further notes that the Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) provides for a macro sex-disaggregated data on workers employed in all establishments inspected and establishment found with violators. It asks the Government to provide the abovementioned statistical data as soon as they become available.

2. The Committee notes the findings of the study conducted from March to October 2000 by the BWYW entitled "Discrimination at the Workplace in Metro Manila" on discriminatory work practices, as summarized by the Government in its report. It notes that, according to the study the average salary of a typical female worker is 91.6 per cent that of men (8.4 per cent wage gap). The Committee notes further from the study that there is no discrimination based on sex in the provision of monetary and other fringe benefits, and that sex is an "insignificant" criterion in the selection of trainees, as well as in promotion opportunities. The study recommends that action be taken by the Government to strengthen the programmes on non-traditional technical and technology skills training for women and that the school system, at both the elementary and secondary level, should develop programmes that encourage socially disadvantaged groups (like women) to enrol in mathematics and science courses, which would enable them to prepare and pursue high-paying scientific, technical and professional occupations. The Committee asks the Government to provide a copy of the study and to state the concrete measures it intends to take to implement its recommendations.

3. The Committee notes that it has not received any information in response to some of its previous comments. It must therefore repeat its previous comments regarding the following points and hopes the Government will include this information in its next report:

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3. Further to its previous comments concerning the application of the Wage Rationalization Act (No. 6727 of 1989) which declares a policy of rationalizing minimum wages and promotes wage fixing through collective agreements, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on criteria and methods which have been used to determine the classification of jobs and their corresponding wage scales. The Committee further notes the statement by the Government that the DOLE is developing appropriate methods to promote an objective appraisal of jobs on the basis of the work to be performed. The Committee is looking forward to receiving a copy of the job evaluation instrument, once finalized, and reiterates its request for information concerning the extent to which employers and workers have embarked upon fixing wages in collective agreements on the basis of job evaluation.

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5. Referring to its previous direct request, the Committee hopes that the Government’s next report will contain information on the measures taken or envisaged by the Inter-Agency Task Force for Strategic Planning related to the application of the Convention.