Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Poland (Ratification: 1954)

Further to its observation, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on the following points.

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Application in practice. The Committee notes with interest that the National Labour Inspectorate carries out inspection on equal treatment of men and women in labour relations on the basis of a detailed questionnaire, including inspection with regard to remuneration. According to the Government’s report, labour inspectors inform employers of irregularities and instruct workers of their rights. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on:

(a)  the number of equality inspections carried out which found instances of unequal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value;

(b)  the manner in which such cases have been resolved;

(c)  whether labour inspectors can impose fines for wage discrimination; and

(d)  whether any cases involving such discrimination have been brought before the courts.

2. Article 3. Objective job appraisals. The Committee notes that under section 94(2b) of the Labour Code, as amended by the Act of 14 November 2003 on the amendment of the Labour Code, employers have the obligation to counteract discrimination in employment. Recalling that the Convention promotes the use of objective job appraisals on the basis of the work performed as a means to ensure equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on any measures taken to promote the use of such appraisals in the private and public sectors as a means to prevent, identify and remedy pay discrimination.

3. Article 4. Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes that the National Plan of Action for Women (2003-05) foresees several activities in cooperation with social partners to promote women’s economic activity, including a comparative analysis of the costs of women’s and men’s employment. Please provide information on the outcome of the envisaged labour cost analysis, as well as any other cooperation with workers’ and employers’ organizations to promote the application of the Convention.