E/C.12/EST/CO/2 introducing flexibility in employment relations does not lead to violations of rights under articles 6 and 7 of the Covenant. The Committee refers the State party to its general comment No. 18 (2005) on the right to work. 14. The Committee is concerned that, despite the efforts made by the State party aimed at raising awareness of the provisions of the Gender Equality Act among employers and workers, women remain disadvantaged in the labour market. In particular, women have greater difficulty to be reintegrated into the labour market and generally earn much less than male workers, including when they perform the same work. (arts. 6, 7 and 3) The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to ensure an effective enforcement of legislation on gender equality in employment and to create an enabling environment which promotes the participation of women in the labour market, including by ensuring the availability and affordability of day-care services in all regions. The Committee also calls on the State party to ensure that the formulation and the implementation of the plan to address the gender pay gap, called for by the Parliament, take account of the need to expand the mandate of labour inspectors to monitor discrimination in remuneration and the need to ensure equal remuneration for work of equal value. 15. The Committee is concerned that in spite of efforts undertaken, a large proportion of persons with disabilities are still unemployed. (arts. 6, and 2, para.2) The Committee recommends that the State party intensify efforts aimed at providing persons with disabilities with the opportunity to secure an appropriate employment. The Committee recommends that the State party continue to raise awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities as well as of incentives in place, and to address the obstacles identified, such as accessibility and transport. The Committee also calls on the State party to ensure that measures taken in this regard effectively aim at the realization of the right to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted. 16. The Committee remains concerned that, in spite of the significant increase in the level of the minimum wage, it does not provide a decent living for workers and their families. (art. 7) The Committee recommends that the State party take the necessary measures to ensure that the level of the minimum wage provides a decent living for workers and their families. 17. The Committee notes with concern that the legislation in force in the State party prohibits civil servants from participating in strikes, including those who do not perform essential services. (art. 8) The Committee calls on the State party to ensure that the provisions on civil servants’ right to strike in the Public Service Act comply with article 8 of the Covenant by restricting the prohibition of strike to those discharging essential services. 18. The Committee is concerned that a significant number of persons receiving social security benefits live in poverty. Moreover, the Committee expresses concern about the limited duration of the payment of unemployment benefits. (art. 9) The Committee calls on the State party to review its social security policy to ensure that benefits, both in terms of amount and duration guarantee an adequate standard of living to recipients and their families. The Committee refers the State party to its general comment No. 19 (2007) on the right to social security. 19. The Committee is concerned that unemployment benefits are not paid in cases where the employment contract has been terminated due to professional fault. (art. 9) 4