Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Malawi (Ratification: 1965)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

Repetition

Application of the principle in the public service. The Committee has been raising concerns for a number of years regarding the male and female denominations in the civil service job grading and salary structure. The Committee recalls that such terminology reinforces stereotypes as to whether certain jobs should be performed by men or women, and may therefore result in the undervaluing of those jobs with a typically female denomination. The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report once again does not address this issue. The Government merely states that remuneration is determined in accordance with grades irrespective of gender, without referring to how the grades themselves are determined. The Government also indicates generally that it would ensure that equal remuneration is recognized not only for women and men performing the same job, but also for men and women performing jobs of different nature but which are, nonetheless, of equal value. The Committee urges the Government to take concrete steps to ensure that gender-neutral terminology is used in the civil service grading system and salary structure, and to provide information in this regard. The Committee asks the Government to indicate how it is ensured that the grading structure in the public service is free from gender bias, and to provide specific information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that men and women receive equal remuneration for work for equal value when performing jobs of a different nature which are nonetheless of equal value.

In its previous comments, the Committee noted the low percentage of women holding managerial posts in the public service, and asked the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to retain women in the public service with a view to encouraging their advancement towards decision-making positions. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that a baseline survey on women in the public sector, the formal sector and the informal sector is being undertaken, which is intended to result in the elaboration of a Charter on Gender, which would enable women to “understudy” women in decision-making positions to prepare them for higher level positions. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the elaboration of the Charter on Gender, in particular with respect to the measures envisaged to promote greater access of women to higher level positions, and on any other action taken in this regard.

Application of the principle in rural areas and the informal economy. In response to its previous comments regarding the wage disparities between men and women in rural areas, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that sensitization and awareness-raising activities on equal pay are being intensified, and that training targeting the agricultural sector has been organized for labour inspectors and agricultural extension officers. The Committee asks the Government to provide detailed information on the contents and results of the awareness-raising activities on the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value in the agricultural sector. The Committee also asks the Government to provide information on the training for labour inspectors and agricultural extension officers, as well as details of any case of violation detected by the inspectors and officers relevant to the principle of the Convention. Please also provide information, as previously requested by the Committee, on the measures adopted to facilitate the reconciliation of work and family responsibilities and the equal sharing of family responsibilities, including between men and women rural workers. Noting the Government’s indication that the Charter on Gender will enable women to move from the informal to the formal economy, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on the specific measures taken in this regard.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.