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CO-Suva > Areas of work > Equality and discrimination
Equality and discrimination
Promoting equality and eliminating discrimination are essential to achieving decent work in the Pacific. Pacific Decent Work Country Programmes prioritise equality promotion through the ratification and full implementation in law and practice of international labour standards on discrimination in employment and occupation as well as equal remuneration.
Under the Pacific Decent Work Country Programmes activities are convened to promote decent work for a number of groups identified as being at particular risk of labour exploitation, these include:
- Women;
- Youth;
- Migrant workers;
- Child trafficking victims;
- Indigenous peoples;
- People living with HIV/AIDS; and
- Persons living with disabilities.
Gender and disability concerns are mainstreamed through each of the Pacific Decent Work Country Programmes and the equal participation of men and women in all activities is promoted. Specific activities to promote gender equality are also carried out under a number of projects implemented by the ILO Office for South Pacific Island Countries.
The Pacific Youth Employment Project for instance incorporated training for constituents on the development of workplace equal opportunity policies. The Men as Partners in Reproductive Health Project also trained workers in male-dominated industries on issues related to gender equality, gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS. Further, the literature review carried out under the Global Jobs Pact Project for Labour Governance and Migration will specifically consider the needs of female seasonal migrant workers. Then in consultation with key stakeholders, the project will make recommendations for best practice in pre-departure training and will develop a package of reintegration services to promote decent work and protect seasonal migrant workers, with a focus on the special needs of women workers.
As one of the ILO’s oldest Pacific member States, Fiji has also ratified ILO conventions providing special protection for persons with disabilities as well as for indigenous and tribal peoples. The ILO Country Office for South Pacific Island Countries provides Fiji with advice and training on the full implementation of these Conventions. At a domestic level and with ILO assistance, Fiji has acted to promote equality through the adoption of a National Policy on Sexual Harassment. This policy requires all employers to have an internal written policy and grievance procedure on sexual harassment in the workplace that is consistent with the National Policy. Further, the Fijian government in consultation with tripartite constituents and with the assistance of the ILO has approved the National Code of Practice for HIV/AIDS in the Workplace. This Code is similarly expected to be adopted by all workplaces in Fiji.
Contribution to and participation in gender equality activities convened by the wider United Nations Pacific Gender Group also provide further opportunities for the promotion of decent work for women and men. These activities include advocacy such as the annual celebration of International Women’s Day and contribution to joint programmes on gender based violence.