Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Central African Republic (Ratification: 1964)

1. The Committee notes that the Government's brief report supplies general information attesting to the existence of constitutional, legislative and regulatory provisions prohibiting discrimination but contains no specific reply to the points raised in its previous comments regarding practical application of the Convention. The Committee hopes that the next report will supply full particulars on the following points.

2. The Committee notes that a new Constitution, adopted on 14 January 1995, is included on the list of texts provided under point I of the report form but a copy of it has neither been sent to the Office nor is attached to the report. The Committee requests the Government to send it a copy as soon as possible. It hopes that the Constitution has taken into account its previous comments concerning the omission in the previous Constitution of 1986 of political opinion, national extraction, social origin and colour as prohibited grounds for discrimination. It also requests the Government once again to send it, at the same time, copies of the texts requested in point 3 of its previous direct request, namely: (a) a copy of some of the specific regulations provided for in section 57 of Ordinance No. 80/064 of 1980 governing the employment conditions of the various categories of staff in the central administration; and (b) the text of the Decrees were apparently issued under sections 16, 28 and 29 of Ordinance No. 80/064 concerning the classification of public officials by categories and the procedures for their promotion.

3. The Committee notes that, according to the report, the Department of Labour has no reliable data concerning application of Article 3(f) of the Convention. Referring to paragraphs 240 and 247 of its 1988 General Survey on equality in employment and occupation, the Committee reiterates the hope that the Government will be able to collect and supply with its next report information, particularly statistics, allowing appreciation of application of the Convention, in particular the statistical data requested in paragraph 2 of its previous direct request on the number of women holding jobs in the private and public sectors. The ILO is ready to examine any request for technical assistance in this field which the Government may wish to request.

4. With regard to the employment or occupational activities of persons who are legitimately suspected of activities prejudicial to the security of the State, the Committee notes that, according to the report, the perpetrators of acts sanctionable under penal legislation are punished in accordance with the texts in force and that they may lodge an appeal. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the legislative or administrative measures governing employment of these persons, details on the remedies available to them and copies of any court rulings which have been handed down concerning such persons.