E/C.12/GBR/CO/6
(c)
Increase its efforts to ensure equal remuneration for work of equal
value, without distinction of any kind.
28.
The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general comment
No. 16 (2005) on the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic,
social and cultural rights.
Unemployment
29.
The Committee is concerned that, despite the increase in the employment rate, some
disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups continue to be disproportionately
affected by unemployment, including persons with disabilities, young people and persons
belonging to ethnic, religious or other minorities (art. 6).
30.
Recalling its previous recommendations (see E/C.12/GBR/CO/5, paras. 20 and
21), the Committee recommends that the State party review its employment policies to
address the root causes of unemployment and include in its action plan time-bound
goals with a specific focus on groups disproportionately affected by unemployment,
such as young people, persons with disabilities and persons belonging to ethnic,
religious or other minorities.
Working conditions
31.
The Committee is concerned at the high incidence of part-time work, precarious
self-employment, temporary employment and the use of “zero hour contracts” in the State
party, which particularly affect women. It is also concerned about the negative impact that
all those forms of employment have on the enjoyment by workers of their right to just and
favourable conditions of work. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned about the high
number of low-paid jobs, which affects in particular certain sectors, such as the cleaning
and home-care sectors (arts. 6-8).
32.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Take all appropriate measures to progressively reduce the use of
temporary employment, precarious self-employment and “zero hour contracts”,
including by generating decent work opportunities that offer job security and
adequate protection of labour rights;
(b)
Ensure that the labour and social security rights of persons in part-time
work, precarious self-employment, temporary employment and “zero-hour contracts”
are fully guaranteed in law and in practice.
33.
The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general comment
No. 23 (2016) on the right to just and favourable conditions of work.
Working conditions of migrant workers
34.
The Committee remains concerned about persistent discrimination against migrant
workers in the labour market. In particular, it is concerned about the high and increasing
concentration of migrant workers in low-paid work and that migrant domestic workers are
at greater risk of being victims of abusive working conditions (art. 7).
35.
The Committee recalls its previous recommendation (see E/C.12/GBR/CO/5,
para. 22) and urges the State party to:
(a)
Adopt all necessary measures to ensure that all migrant workers,
including migrant domestic workers, enjoy the same conditions as other workers as
regards remuneration, protection against unfair dismissal, rest and leisure, limitation
of working hours, social security and maternity leave protection;
6