Observación (CEACR) - Adopción: 2011, Publicación: 101ª reunión CIT (2012)

Convenio sobre la discriminación (empleo y ocupación), 1958 (núm. 111) - Federación de Rusia (Ratificación : 1961)

The Committee recalls its observations of 2009 and 2010 which addressed the following issues: (1) Resolution No. 162 adopted by the Government on 25 February 2000 which contains a list of industries, occupations and work from which women are excluded; (2) the enforcement of the Labour Code’s non discrimination provisions; (3) equality of opportunity and treatment for men and women; and (4) equality of opportunity and treatment of ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples.

Follow-up to the conclusions of the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards (International Labour Conference, 99th Session, June 2010). The Committee noted the discussion that took place in the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards in June 2010. In its conclusions, the Conference Committee had raised concerns regarding Resolution No. 162 of 25 February 2000 which excludes women from being employed in 456 occupations and 38 branches of industry, and section 253 of the Labour Code, which provides that the employment of women in arduous work and work in harmful or dangerous conditions shall be limited. The Conference Committee had noted that Resolution No. 162 and section 253 of the Labour Code went beyond protecting women’s reproductive health and broadly restricted their access to occupations and sectors that involve equal health and safety risks to men and women, and it had urged the Government to take steps to revise section 253 of the Labour Code and Resolution No. 162 to ensure that any limitations on the work that can be undertaken by women are not based on stereotyped perceptions regarding their capacity and role in society and are strictly limited to measures to protect maternity. The Conference Committee had asked the Government to ensure that the planned review of the existing system of health and safety protection addressed the need to provide a safe and healthy working environment for both men and women, and one that would not lead to measures hindering women’s participation in the labour market. The Conference Committee had also asked the Government to take measures to address the legal and practical barriers to women’s access to the broadest possible range of sectors and industries, as well as at all levels of responsibility, and it had urged the Government to take measures, through tripartite consultation, to ensure non-discrimination and promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation for all groups protected under the Convention, including ethnic minorities. Such measures should include strengthening the legal framework, which should address direct and indirect discrimination and the burden of proof, and provide for effective remedies in discrimination cases. The strengthening and establishment of appropriate mechanisms to promote, analyse and monitor equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation should also be part of these measures.

The Committee notes the Government’s report, received on 18 November 2011, in Russian. The Committee will examine this report as soon as the translation becomes available.