Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Tajikistan (Ratification: 1993)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments.

Repetition

The Committee takes note of the supplementary information provided by the Government in light of the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 338th Session (June 2020). The Committee proceeded with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the supplementary information received from the Government this year, as well as on the basis of the information at its disposal in 2019.

The Committee notes the observations of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), which were received on 11 September 2019.

Follow-up to the conclusions of the Committee on the Application of Standards (International Labour Conference, 108th Session, June 2019)

Article 2 of the Convention. Equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women. The Committee notes the discussion in the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) of the International Labour Conference, at its 108th Session (June 2019), on the application of the Convention, and the conclusions adopted. The conclusions of the CAS called upon the Government to: (1) report on the concrete measures taken to ensure that direct and indirect discrimination on all grounds is prohibited in law and in practice; and (2) provide without delay information on the implementation in practice of the Framework Law on State Guarantees of Equal Rights for Men and Women and Equal Opportunities in the Exercise of such Rights, No. 89 of 1 March 2005 (Law on State Guarantees of 2005).

The Committee welcomes the detailed information provided by the Government in its report regarding the legislative framework and the policies and programmes developed and implemented with respect to equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women. The Committee notes, in particular, that the Government acknowledges that gender equality cannot be achieved if laws and policies are not implemented in practice and indirect discrimination persists. The Government adds that in order to detect indirect discrimination the country’s legislation in this area needs to be improved and the first priority is to amend the national legislation. It also indicates that to improve policy to ensure de facto gender equality, the National Development Strategy for 2030 provides for the following measures: (1) improving legislation in order to realize the State guarantees of creating equal opportunities for women and men; (2) developing institutional mechanisms to introduce national and international obligations to ensure gender equality and expand women’s opportunities in sectoral policies; (3) activating mechanisms for the literacy and social inclusion of women, including rural women; (4) boosting the gender capacity and gender sensitivity of staff members at agencies in all branches of government; and (5) introducing gender budgeting setting in the budget process. The Committee welcomes the Government’s indication that, with a view to achieving de facto gender equality, a working group on the improvement of laws and regulations to eradicate gender stereotypes, protect women’s rights and prevent domestic violence has made proposals on introducing the concepts of direct and indirect discrimination, temporary measures, and compulsory gender analysis of laws. As regards the Law on State Guarantees of 2005, the Committee notes that in 2018, the Committee for Women’s and Family Affairs (CWFA) monitored its implementation, by collecting and analysing data from central ministries and agencies, and selected local executive authorities. The Government further states that a report, which includes an analysis of the implementation of the law’s articles, and conclusions and recommendations to improve its monitoring and implementation, was prepared in this regard.

The Committee notes from ITUC’s observations that it regrets the lack of concrete information provided by the Government to the supervisory bodies, which would enable a more comprehensive assessment of the situation in the country. It further notes that ITUC emphasizes the need not only to draft laws but also to implement specific policies to eliminate all forms of discrimination and take proactive measures to identify and address the underlying causes of discrimination and gender inequalities deeply entrenched in traditional and societal values. The Committee notes ITUC’s statement that the very name of the body responsible for the implementation of the national policy to protect and ensure the rights and interests of women and their families, the “Committee for Women’s and Family Affairs”, raises an issue because it appears to enshrine the idea that women are the only ones who have to assume responsibilities in relation to their families. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that, with the aim of eradicating stereotypes about the roles and duties of women and men in the family and society, and to boost awareness of and ensure equal rights and opportunities for men and women, a range of measures were implemented for different sections of society and the possibilities of the mass media are widely used. More than 200 programmes on understanding the importance of ensuring equal rights and opportunities for men and women were prepared and broadcasted by the members of the CWFA. In its supplementary information, the Government also indicates that it is taking every measure to root out gender discrimination against women based on stereotyped ideas of their capabilities and role in society, which contradict the Convention and hinder women’s recruitment and employment.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that expanding economic opportunities for women and their competitiveness in the labour market, and the development of their entrepreneurial activities play a key role in ensuring gender equality. In this regard, it notes the detailed information regarding measures adopted to support the development of women entrepreneurship, through the allocation of grants, access to microcredit and an inter-agency working group to support women’s entrepreneurship operating under the State Committee for State Property Investment and Management. The Government also indicates that further to the adoption of concluding observations in 2018 by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW/C/TJK/CO/6, 14 November 2018, paragraph 37), it has formulated, through broad discussions with the civil society, and adopted in May 2019, a National Plan of Action to Implement the Recommendations of the CEDAW 2019–22. In this regard, the Committee notes that the CEDAW, while welcoming the measures taken to support women entrepreneurs and to regulate domestic work and work from home, expressed concern inter alia about the following: (1) the concentration of women in the informal sector and in low-paying jobs in the healthcare, education and agriculture sectors; (2) the low level of participation of women in the labour market (32.6 per cent) and the low employment rate among women (40.5 per cent), compared with men (59.5 per cent); (3) the absence of social security coverage, the shortage of preschool facilities and family responsibilities non compatible with paid work, which make women particularly prone to unemployment; (4) the adoption in 2017 of the list of occupations for which the employment of women is prohibited; and (5) the lack of access to employment for women with a reduced capacity for competitiveness, such as women with disabilities, mothers with several children, women heads of single-parent families, pregnant women and women who have been left behind by male migrants.

With respect to the employment of women in the civil service, the Committee welcomes the various steps taken by the Government. It notes the indication that, as at 1 July 2019, there were 18,835 active civil servants in total (19,119 as at 1 January 2019), including 4,432 women, which represented 23.5 per cent of civil servants (4,441 or 23.2 per cent as at 1 January 2019). In leadership positions, there were 5,676 persons representing 30.1 per cent of all civil servants and 1,044 of them were women (18.4 per cent in such positions). The Committee further notes, from the Government’s additional information, that as at 1 April 2020, women represented 23.7 per cent of civil servants, and 19.1 per cent of leadership positions. With a view to promoting gender equality in the civil service, the Government adds that the Civil Service Agency (CSA) together with all State bodies is taking appropriate steps to recruit women to the civil service at all levels of public administration. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, in the first half of 2019, the CSA together with the Institute for State Administration held 24 professional training courses for civil servants, including four retraining and 20 professional development courses, which were attended by 977 persons – 236, or 24.1 per cent, of whom were women. In line with the requirements of State statistical report form No. 1-GS, “Report on the quantitative and qualitative composition of civil service”, the CSA also conducts quarterly monitoring and draws up statistical reports on the number of civil servants, including women, the results of which are transmitted to the appropriate State bodies and discussed at board meetings for the necessary steps to be taken. The Government also mentions positive measures adopted to promote the employment of women in the civil service, through the implementation, since 2017, of the State Programme on the Development, Selection and Placement of Gifted Women and Girls as Leading Cadres of Tajikistan 2017–2022; the establishment of incentives and quotas for women; and, on first appointment to the civil service, the granting of three additional steps on the grading scale, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 869 adopted in 2017. According to the Government, as a result of implementing those measures, 36 women were recruited to various civil service positions in the first half of 2019.

Welcoming the positive developments regarding the promotion of gender equality in employment and occupation both in the private and the public sectors, the Committee asks the Government to pursue its efforts to foster equality opportunity and treatment between men and women in employment and occupation and, in particular, to take appropriate steps, including through amending legislation, to address indirect discrimination and occupational gender segregation. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the content, conclusions and recommendations of the report prepared to analyse the implementation of the Law No. 89 on State Guarantees of Equal Rights for Men and Women and Equal Opportunities in the Exercise of such Rights of 2005, as well as on any follow-up measures taken in this regard. The Committee also asks the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the situation of men and women in employment and occupation, both in the private and public sectors, as well as on the results of any positive measures taken to improve women’s access to employment, and their results. Noting that the Government’s report does not contain any information on any concrete measures taken, and their results, to address direct and indirect discrimination based on grounds other than sex, the Committee asks the Government to provide such information in its next report.

The Committee is raising other matters 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.