E/C.12/1/Add.93
page 3
13.
The Committee is concerned about the high level of unemployment, in particular among
indigenous peoples. In this regard, the Committee takes note that the State party has not yet
ratified International Labour Organization Convention No. 2 on Unemployment.
14.
The Committee is particularly concerned that the minimum wage is not sufficient to
provide a decent living for the workers and their families and that, in practice, such insufficient
salary is not always paid.
15.
Notwithstanding the measures taken by the State party to decentralize and expand the
labour inspections services, the Committee is concerned that labour inspections are not carried
out regularly, especially in rural areas.
16.
The Committee is also concerned about sexual harassment of women in the workplace.
17.
The Committee is concerned that only 15 per cent of the population are covered by the
Guatemalan Institute of Social Security and that there is a considerable disparity in the coverage
of workers in rural and urban areas. The Committee also notes that the State party has not yet
ratified International Labour Organization Convention No. 102 on Social Security (Minimum
Standards).
18.
The Committee takes note of the legislative measures undertaken by the State party to
address the needs of persons with disabilities, but regrets the lack of implementation measures
and adequate financial and human resources in this area.
19.
The Committee also takes note of the efforts made by the State party towards the
implementation of the National Reparation Programme for victims of war. However, the
Committee expresses concern at the lack of effective measures to reunite families separated by
the conflict, to establish the whereabouts of children who have disappeared and to safeguard the
rights of children orphaned by the war.
20.
The Committee is deeply concerned about the persistent problem of child labour in the
State party, especially in agricultural and domestic services.
21.
The Committee is concerned about the extent of the problem of violence against women
in the Guatemalan society, both within and outside the family, and its implication for both the
physical and mental health of women and children. The Committee is also concerned that the
Penal Code does not consider domestic violence as a crime.
22.
The Committee is concerned about the high level of poverty which affects, according to
official statistics, 73.8 per cent of the indigenous population and 40.6 per cent of non-indigenous
populations.
23.
The Committee is concerned about the negative effects of the coffee crisis on rural
employment and standard of living.
24.
The Committee continues to be deeply concerned that the uneven distribution of wealth
and land and the high level of social exclusion, in particular among indigenous and rural
populations, hinder the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights.