Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156) - Chile (Ratification: 1994)

1. Article 3. The Committee observes that, under Chile’s national policy aimed at promoting the principle of equal opportunities and treatment for workers with family responsibilities, the Government supplies information on various measures and initiatives concerning nursery schools, indicating that no discrimination exists in those measures. While noting these initiatives with interest, the Committee recalls that the Convention applies not only to workers with dependent children but also to workers with responsibilities in relation to other members of their families. The Committee also emphasizes that the Convention covers not only  persons with family responsibilities who are already engaged in employment but also persons who wish to engage in employment, referring to “possibilities of preparing for, entering, participating in or advancing in economic activity” (Article 1, paragraphs 1 and 2, of the Convention). The Committee therefore invites the Government to keep it informed about other programmes and measures which it has adopted or is planning to adopt in the context of its national policy on workers with family responsibilities.

2. Article 6. In its previous request, the Committee invited the Government to supply information on the actions undertaken by the Women’s National Service (SERNAM) in order to disseminate information on the factual situation and changing roles of men and women in the family and at work. The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain information in this respect other than indicating that SERNAM is the only competent organization for supplying information on this point. The Committee hopes that the Government will endeavour to collect the information requested from the competent institutions and that it will be in a position to supply them to the Committee in its next report. The Committee would also be grateful if the Government would provide information on any initiative adopted to raise society’s awareness of the principle of equality of opportunity and treatment for men and women workers and supply copies of documents and studies connected with these initiatives.

3.  Article 7. The Committee observes that the report does not supply all the information requested with regard to vocational guidance and training for workers with family responsibilities. The Committee recalls the fundamental role that vocational guidance and training play in the application of the Convention. The Committee reiterates, as it did in its previous comments, that it is essential not only to bring the legislation into conformity with the Convention but also to adopt specific measures “to enable workers, men and women, with family responsibilities to become and remain integrated in the labour force” in the same way as other workers. These measures may include, for example, flexibility in the design, delivery and location of training courses, distance learning or the provision of childcare services. The Committee again requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken or contemplated in this respect.

4.  Article 11. With respect to its previous request concerning the means by which the participation of employers’ and workers’ organizations is ensured in devising and applying measures to give effect to the provisions of the Convention, the Committee notes the Government’s comments that trade union organizations monitor compliance with labour legislation and participate by means of collective bargaining. The Committee considers, however, that these organizations should participate during the phase of drawing up the measures intended to give effect to the Convention. The Committee trusts that the Government will make every effort in this respect.