108. In the field of employment, the experts noted the extent and importance of the participation of women in various economic sectors and commended the Soviet Union for the realizations achieved. A question was asked about the spheres and extent of the "cons1eterable scope for further aetvancement of women to leaeting pos1t1ons" referred to 1n the report and whether the Government was taking immediate steps in that regard, for instance, by granting preference to women over men when they had the same qualifications. th th pr mo 11 ma fC) 109. Regarding the principle of equal pay for equal work, several experts inquireet whether such a right was 1mplemented in practice even when it was embodied in labour law. Taking into account the high number of women working in the fields of education, health care, social work and textiles, some experts wondered whether those figures did not reveal stereotype attitudes. In that respect, additional anet comparative figures on the respective levels of wages of men and women were requested, particularly concerning the increases accorded to women working in the textile sec~or. 110. Concerning the special and favourable status granted to working women regarding their working conditions and their social security advantages, some experts asked whether such privileges could not impair equality. Ill. Concerning protective labour legislation, it would be helpful to the Committee to receive more information, together with copies of the relevant laws, since it was said that certain professions were considered harmful to women. 112. Replying to the questions, the representative of the State party noted that the Sovlet Union placed a high value on the political significance of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which dealt with the vital interests of women throughout the world, with their equality in all spheres of social activity and within the family. 113. As requested, she informed the members of the Committee that the Constitution of the Soviet Union fully reflected the requirements of the Convention on the Ellminatlon of All Forms of Discrimlnation against Women. Many of the Convention's provisions were developed and given detailed interpretation by other legislative lnstruments passeet in the Soviet Union, such as the Fundamentals of Labour, PubllC Health, and Public Education Legislation in the USSR and the Union Republics, as well as the Law on Elections to the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, Fundamentals of Marriage and Family Legislation in the USSR and the Union Republics, the Law on Citizenship of the USSR and other legislation. She assured the Committee that Soviet legislation relating directly to women was comprehensive and at the same time specific. 114. Special guarantees of equality which women enjoyed in the Soviet Union were contained in article 35 of the Constitution. Women were guaranteed equal rights to education and vocational training, employment, remuneration for employment, and promotion in all social, political, economic and cultural activities. She polnted out that in the Soviet Union the principle of equal pay for equal work was vigilantly observed and that there was no discrimination as regards remuneration. Wage scales were fixed and the trade unions participated in the determination of wages and conditions of work. There was a listing of occupations harmful or dangerous to women's health where employment was forbidden. In that respect, the USSR State Committee on Labour and Social Affairs adopted appropriate regulations in collaboration with the USSR Health Ministry with regard to women's employment to -18- up co par 116 bot wit cou cus the pat 117 1at vio 15 mem Par fou Sov' ele one dir dep Sovi Many were Alth Mini soci of p were