On 18 January 2006 the National Assembly ratified Convention № 156, adopted by the International Labour Organisation, Concerning Equal Opportunities and Equal Treatment for Men and Women Workers: Workers with Family Responsibilities.

This Convention introduces in our legislation the modern international labor standards concerning gender equality. The document recognizes the need to create effective equality of opportunity and treatment as between men and women workers with family responsibilities and between such workers and other workers and envisages measures to improve the conditions of these workers. It gives legal definition of the term “workers with family responsibilities“ and states who are these workers and what is the nature of their responsibilities. It also defines the terms “dependent children” and “other member of the immediate family who clearly needs care or support”.

The Convention applies to all branches of economic activity and all categories of workers. It requires that all measures to be taken should take account of the needs of workers with family responsibilities in community planning; and develop or promote community services, public or private, such as child-care and family services and facilities. Family responsibilities cannot constitute a valid reason for termination of employment.

Convention 156 has been ratified by 36 Members of ILO, 10 of which – Members of the EU.