A/HRC/17/34 73. Any form of discrimination, such as that based on sex, race, ethnicity or religion, against workers must be prohibited.46 Workers’ remuneration must be fair, allowing for a decent living for workers and their family. Equal remuneration for work of equal value must also be ensured without discrimination of any kind; in particular, women must enjoy equal pay with men.47 Special protection for women during pregnancy, and for persons with disabilities, must also be put in place.48 To ensure the implementation of these obligations, States must regulate labour markets and establish mechanisms to strengthen the accountability of private actors. A greater number of avenues for dialogue between employers and workers, and the opportunity for workers to participate in the design and implementation of employment policies, will further assist States in meeting their human rights obligations. 74. Considering that the majority of people living in poverty earn their livelihoods in the informal sector, under difficult conditions and receive low and irregular wages, policies should prioritize improving their working conditions and extending formal social protection to them. To this end, policymakers should consider encouraging the formalization of informal firms, and specifically of employment relations. These measures have the potential to reduce labour market inequality and to extend the coverage of labour institutions to groups that were previously excluded.49 States should ensure, however, that such measures are taken without increasing poverty and vulnerability. 75. The obligations of non-discrimination and equality oblige States to ensure that employment creation policies benefit all sectors of society equally. Policies that increase the employability (for example, through demand-driven skills development and vocational training) of groups that face specific barriers in their access to employment, such as women, persons with disabilities, young people and indigenous populations, will assist States in fulfilling their human rights obligations. To remove obstacles to employment for women, States should ensure the availability of care services (from the State, the community and the market), the redistribution of paid and unpaid work from a gender perspective and the elimination of all forms of gender discrimination. States are not only obliged to undertake effective legislation to this end, but also to take measures to modify social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women.50 76. Job-creation initiatives and improvements in working conditions should be complemented by investments in social protection systems, particularly noncontributory benefits and public services, in order to provide comprehensive support for those most affected by the crises while also promoting long-term recovery. The State must ensure that recovery measures do not discriminate against any segment of society, including those who are unable to work or who face greater barriers in their access to employment. 46 47 48 49 50 See for example Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, art. 11; and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, art. 5. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, art. 7, and Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, art. 11. See International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, art. 10, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, art. 11, and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, art. 27. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, “Time for equality: closing gaps, opening trails”, 2010, p. 166. See Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, arts. 3 and 5(2). 17