CMNT_TITLE

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Barbados (RATIFICATION: 1976)

Other comments on C122

Observation

2012
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Direct Request

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Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report received in October 2011 in reply to its 2009 observation. The Government indicates that pursuing the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment was affected by the economic recession brought about by the global financial crisis and the rapid increase of energy and commodity prices. In the first quarter of 2010, the labour force participation rate was 67.2 per cent (73.5 per cent for men and 61.4 per cent for women) and the employment rate was 89.4 per cent (89.5 per cent for men and 89.3 per cent for women). The unemployment rate almost doubled from 6.7 per cent in June 2007 to 12.1 per cent in June 2011 with a higher increase in tourism, construction, and wholesale and retail trade sectors (from 9.8 per cent in June 2007 to 16 per cent in June 2011). The Government indicates that active employment measures are outlined in the 2010–14 Medium Term Development Strategy and Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy documents. The Manpower Research and Statistical Unit of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is drafting the National Employment Policy. These policies are supported by the social partnership. They primarily aim at maintaining macroeconomic stability, stimulating economic growth and development, raising standards of living, meeting manpower requirements, and reducing unemployment and underemployment. In a communication of August 2011, the Barbados Workers’ Union states that it welcomes any policy interventions which promote access to employment in conformity with the standards as enunciated in the Decent Work Agenda. The Government indicates that it received ILO technical assistance for developing the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP). The last version of the DWCP will be submitted to the Cabinet once the tripartite consultation process is completed. The Committee notes that one of the priorities of the DWCP is strengthening employment policies through, inter alia, enhancing the labour market information system and the capacity of the National Employment Bureau. The DWCP also aims at developing a culture of entrepreneurship and strengthening local entrepreneurs to be competitive. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the impact of the active measures taken for promoting employment, including in the framework of the National Employment Policy, on reducing unemployment and underemployment and increasing employment levels within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy. The Committee also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the impact of the measures taken to address the needs of vulnerable categories of workers, such as women, young people, older workers and workers with disabilities. Please also provide information on the impact of the employment promotion activities carried out under the DWCP.

Education and vocational training. The Committee notes that the Barbados Vocational Training Board (BVTB) conducts a range of courses for both employed and unemployed persons of various ages in order for them to upgrade their skills, to be retrained or to acquire new skills. The training is intended to develop multiskilled individuals and is delivered through apprenticeship, in-plant training and evening programmes. The Government indicates that the most recent study conducted by the BVTB on 459 persons who attended at least one of its training courses during a 12-month period revealed that about 60 per cent of those surveyed are employed after the training, but 40 per cent have responded that they are employed in areas outside their training. The Committee notes that one of the priorities of the DWCP is to enhance technical and vocational education and training, to promote lifelong learning and to equip the labour force with the skills to function in the global economy. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures adopted in collaboration with the social partners to improve the education and training system and to enhance its labour market relevance so as to align the demand and supply of skills.

Participation of social partners. The Government indicates that the social partnership, which includes leaders of the Government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, engages in quarterly discussions on social and economic issues confronted by the country. Social partners also participate in annual national consultation on the economy, which is held among representatives across all economic sectors. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report other examples of the manner in which the views of the social partners are taken into account in the development, implementation and review of employment policies and programmes. The Government is also requested to provide information on whether consultations are carried out with representatives of the rural workers and the informal economy.