E/C.12/1994/16 page 3 that, in the event of a conflict between the provisions of the Covenant and those of domestic legislation, the international obligations entered into under the Covenant may not be fulfilled. 11. The Committee is concerned about the possible adverse consequences, for the implementation of the provisions of the Covenant concerning non-discrimination, of the regulations relating to the new law on residence and residence permits, whose purpose is to limit the number of foreigners authorized to work in Austria, and the conditions laid down - particularly in the area of housing - for the acquisition of an Austrian residence permit. 12. The Committee points out that the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations, in its 1994 report to the International Labour Conference, expressed its concern at the persistence of inequalities in the remuneration of women as compared with men, especially in the private sector. In this context, the Committee notes that, despite the considerable legislative efforts made by the State party to ensure equality between the sexes, inequality persists in practice, particularly in the matter of promotion, and sometimes in the provision of social benefits. 13. The Committee observes that standards for the protection of workers concerning limits on the duration of the working day and weekly rest are not always fully met because some areas of the private sector are dilatory in enforcing the relevant legislation. 14. The Committee is also concerned that workers in small businesses (with five or fewer employees) seem not to enjoy adequate protection against the threat of dismissal or termination on the grounds of trade union activities. Similarly, the Committee considers that the representation of workers on works councils is not sufficient to ensure a balance of interests. D. Suggestions and recommendations 15. The Committee recommends that the State party should envisage taking the measures necessary to place on an equal footing the international human rights instruments, in particular the Covenant, and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms as regards the place they occupy in the domestic legal order. 16. The Committee recommends that the Austrian authorities should continue their efforts to ensure de facto equality between men and women, especially in the areas of access to employment, remuneration for equal work, working conditions, the right to social security and participation in higher education. 17. The Committee recommends that the Austrian Government should take the necessary measures to ensure that the implementation of the new immigration and residence laws will not impede the exercise, by non-nationals, of the rights set out in the Covenant. 18. The Committee urges the State party to monitor carefully the possible effects of unemployment and reduced social welfare services on the realization