The Committee on European Integration recognized the bill to amend several laws of Ukraine (re ensuring equal rights to men and women in labor sphere) as non-contradictory to the legislation of the European Union and international legal obligations of Ukraine
25 June 2012, 14:59
The bill (Reg. No. 8487) is aimed at ensuring equal representation of women and men in the lists of political parties and lists of candidates, among the deputies of all levels, in executive bodies of the state, and in local self-government bodies by introducing gender quotas.
The committee noted that by the subject of legal regulation the bill belongs to labor safety sphere, which is governed in the European Union by the following Council Directives: 75/117/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the application of the principle of equal pay for men and women; 76/2007/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions; 79/7/EEC on the progressive implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in matters of social security; 97/80/EC on the burden of proof in cases of discrimination based on sex; 2000/43/EC implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin; 2000/78/EC establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation; 2004/113/EC implementing the principle of equal treatment between men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services.
Legal relations that belong to the sphere of legal regulation of the bill are governed by the following Conventions: the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; the International Labor Organization Convention No. 100 equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value of 1951; the International Labor Organization Convention No. 111 on discrimination of employment and occupation of 1958; the International Labor Organization Convention No. 156 concerning Equal opportunities and equal treatment for men and women workers, workers with family responsibilities of 1981; the International Labor Organization Convention No. 103 in defense of maternity rights (revised in 1952); the International Labor Organization Convention No. 183 concerning the revision of the Convention (revised) on maternity protection of 1952 of 2000.
The Committee concluded that the bill in entirety does not contradict to the legislation of the European Union and international legal obligations of Ukraine. Nevertheless, it members propose considering the suggested amendments concerning quotas to be a temporary measure.
By conclusion of the Committee, the proposed amendments to the Labor Code of Ukraine, as well as the laws "On the State Service", "On Service in Local Self-Government Bodies", "On the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine", "On Provision of Equal Rights and Possibilities of Women and Men" and "On Advertising" conform to the standards of women protection against discrimination and unequal treatment.