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Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Curaçao

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2022
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2011

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Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Youth employment and measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in relation to the revision of the Small and Medium Enterprises policy, 2011 (SME policy), which aim to accelerate growth and promote economic diversification, as well as to create jobs and income earning opportunities. In addition, the Government refers to the National Development Plan (NDP) 2015-2030, which provides medium and long-term economic strategies and policies for sustainable development in Curaçao. With respect to the implementation of the NDP, the Government indicates that a number of so-called “Tiger Teams” have been established, with representatives drawn from the public and private sectors. These teams are charged with proposing economic policies and programs, including in the areas of logistics and tourism. The Committee notes the serious social and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the national economy and labour market. According to the data available from the website of the Curaçao Central Bureau of Statistics, in 2020 the overall unemployment rate for persons 15-64 years of age stood at 19.1 per cent, while the youth unemployment rate was more than double this figure, at 42.2 per cent. In addition, the Committee notes from the data available to the ILO Department of Statistics, in 2020, the overall labour force participation rate reached 56.4 per cent. The Government indicates that, during the pandemic, the tourism sector came to a complete stop, affecting other economic sectors in parallel. It adds that, as of March 2020, the number of unemployed jobseekers climbed to 7,156 persons. The Committee notes that the Government, in consultation with stakeholders, took emergency measures to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labour market and to conserve as many jobs as possible. In particular, the Committee notes the implementation of the ALIVIO 1 Package, which delivered financial assistance to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), to ensure their survival and avoid the mass dismissal of workers, as well as the ALIVIO 2 Package that provided unemployment allowances to unemployed persons. It also notes two additional temporary schemes put in place by the Government: the TBZO (Temporary Assistance for Self-Employed Entrepreneurs), which provided financial assistance to over 3,051 business applicants and rescued many entrepreneurs from bankruptcy and the NOW wage subsidy program. The Government also introduced a so-called Package of Support, which provided financial assistance (1000 Antillean guilders on a monthly basis) to eligible candidates (cash payments or food coupons). Noting that the Government does not provide information in relation to the points raised in the Committee’s previous comment, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to develop and implement an active employment policy, including information on the impact of the measures adopted. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated statistical data, disaggregated by age and sex, on employment trends, including employment, unemployment and visible underemployment. Noting the higher unemployment rates for women and young persons, the Government is further requested to provide detailed and up-to-date information, including statistical information disaggregated by age and sex, on the nature, scope, and impact of active labour market measures implemented to promote employment and create sustainable and productive employment opportunities, particularly for specific groups facing barriers to entering or remaining in the labour market, such as women, young persons and persons with disabilities.

Article 3. Consultations with the social partners. The Government reports that, in 2017, it organized a Democratic Dialogue, in the context of which a series of consultations, panel discussions, meetings, and workshops were held with stakeholders from the public and private sectors to discuss the key components of the SME policy (2011). It also indicates that, during the pandemic, both the Government and the COVID-19 Emergency Fund Committee spoke with numerous affected groups, including the social partners, and received their input for further reflection and decision making. The Committee nevertheless notes that the Government does not provide information with regard to consultations held with social partners with respect to the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and revision of a national employment policy aimed at achieving full, productive, and freely chosen employment for both men and women. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report examples of the manner in which the views of the social partners are taken into account in the development, implementation, monitoring, and review of active labour market policies and programmes. In addition, the Government is once again requested to provide information on the consultations held with the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations concerning the formulation and implementation of a national employment policy.