    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 18, 1998]
    [Page 807]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 807]]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting an International Labor Organization
    Convention Concerning Discrimination With Respect to Employment and
    Occupation
    May 18, 1998

    To the Senate of the United States:
        With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to
    ratification, I transmit herewith a certified copy of the Convention
    (No. 111) Concerning Discrimination (Employment and Occupation), adopted
    by the International Labor Conference at its 42nd Session in Geneva on
    June 25, 1958. Also transmitted is the report of the Department of
    State, with a letter dated January 6, 1997, from then Secretary of Labor
    Robert Reich, concerning the Convention.
        This Convention obligates ratifying countries to declare and pursue
    a national policy aimed at eliminating discrimination with respect to
    employment and occupation. As explained more fully in the letter from
    Secretary Reich, U.S. law and practice fully comport with its
    provisions.
        In the interest of clarifying the domestic application of the
    Convention, my Administration proposes that two understandings accompany
    U.S. ratification.
        The proposed understandings are as follows:
            ``The United States understands the meaning and scope of
            Convention No. 111 in light of the relevant conclusions and
            practice of the Committee of Experts on the Application of
            Conventions and Recommendations which have been adopted prior to
            the date of U.S. ratification. The Committee's conclusions and
            practice are, in any event, not legally binding on the United
            States and have no force and effect on courts in the United
            States.
            ``The United States understands that the federal
            nondiscrimination policy of equal pay for substantially equal
            work meets the requirements of Convention 111. The United States
            further understands that Convention 111 does not require or
            establish the doctrine of comparable worth with respect to
            compensation as that term is understood under United States law
            and practice.''
        These understandings would have no effect on our international
    obligations under Convention No. 111.
        Ratification of this Convention would be consistent with our policy
    of seeking to adhere to additional international labor instruments as a
    means both of ensuring that our domestic labor standards meet
    international requirements, and of enhancing our ability to call other
    governments to account for failing to fulfill their obligations under
    International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions. I recommend that the
    Senate give its advice and consent to the ratification of ILO Convention
    No. 111.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    May 18, 1998.