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1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Adoption and implementation of an active employment policy in the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy. The Committee notes the replies to its 2008 observation sent by the Government in a report received in June 2009. Furthermore, the Committee notes the detailed report provided by the Government on Conventions not ratified and Recommendations relating to employment policy. The Government indicates that the National Employment Plan distinguishes between two major productive segments: the modern productive sector linked to export trade and the other sector associated with informal employment and subsistence. With regard to the modern productive sector, the Government supports a strategy based on foreign trade complemented by concrete macroeconomic measures and logistical support for investment and exports, including strengthening formal education and vocational training activities. In the second sector, the aim is to use the resources of the cooperative sector to promote employment, coordinate support for micro- and small enterprises and promote non-conventional forms of education and vocational training. According to the data published by the ILO in the 2008 Panorama Laboral, the urban unemployment rate in Costa Rica remained at 4.8 per cent, while the national unemployment rate increased from 4.6 per cent to 4.9 per cent. At the end of 2008, employment in Costa Rica’s manufacturing industries had fallen by 4.8 percentage points. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the manner in which the implementation of the National Employment Plan (PLANE) has facilitated progress in achieving the objective of full and productive employment under the Convention.

2. Coordination of education and training policies with employment opportunities. In reply to previous comments, the Government indicates that young persons of working age are often excluded from public policy on professional and vocational training due to the fact that the majority of them do not meet the entry requirements for participating in formal training activities. The Government mentions difficulties encountered by the Board of Directors of the National Training Institute in making vocational training more flexible. In this regard, the Committee reiterates the importance of continuing to provide information on the coordination of education and vocational training policies with employment policy. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information in its next report on the concrete results achieved in ensuring that young persons and other vulnerable persons (such as women, persons with disabilities, older workers) benefit from guidance and training services which enable them to enter the labour market and secure lasting employment.

3. Promotion of women’s employment. The Committee notes with interest the proposal under the PLANE to take immediate measures relating to childcare. Under this proposal, childcare facilities will be set up in companies and be managed as private productive initiatives by groups of women. The cost of each child’s care would be jointly covered by the state (two-fifths) by the company (two-fifths) and one fifth by a workers’ organization or the beneficiaries directly. The Committee requests the Government to include information in its next report on the establishment of childcare facilities and the manner in which they have contributed to generating lasting employment for women.

4. Promotion of youth employment. In its report, the Government mentions the Young Entrepreneurs Programme which is designed to promote an entrepreneurship culture among young persons. The Committee notes that this programme forms part of the Shield Plan to tackle the current crisis. In this context, the Government is proposing to delay the departure of young persons from the school system and therefore prevent their premature entry into the labour market. The Committee requests the Government to also provide information in its next report on the impact of the measures taken to ensure lasting employment for young persons who enter the labour market.

5. Micro-enterprises and cooperatives. The informal economy. The Government includes information in its report on the National Support Programme for Micro-enterprises which grants soft loans to micro-enterprises and training for persons excluded from traditional banking and the financial system. In 2008, a total of 1,011 investment loans were granted amounting to 1.154 billion colones (CRC) and benefiting men (52.3 per cent) and women (47.7 per cent). The Committee also notes the activities carried out by the National Institute of Cooperative Development. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the results of the measures taken to convert micro-enterprises and cooperatives into sources of sustainable employment. Please also indicate how the initiatives relating to micro-enterprises and cooperatives have contributed to improving the working conditions of those working in the informal economy.

6. Export processing zones. The Government reiterates that export processing zones have created a significant number of sustainable and high‑quality jobs. The Committee notes the information provided by the Costa Rican Coalition for Development Initiatives (CINDE) indicating that in 2008, these zones exported more than 1,200 products to 106 different countries. Some 247 companies are active in the export processing zones, employing more than 53,000 workers, half of whom work in high technology. Productivity per worker in these companies, as well as their wages, are relatively high compared to other sectors of the economy. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the contribution of export processing zones to the creation of sustainable and high-quality employment.

7. Participation of the social partners. Article 3. The Government reports that the PLANE proposal and the Decent Work Agenda were submitted to the Higher Labour Council for consideration and approval. The Government also indicates that the ILO has fully supported the analysis work, the research undertaken and the search for consensus. The Committee reiterates its interest in examining concrete information on the tripartite consensus reached in the context of the Higher Labour Council in relation to the formulation and implementation of the employment policy measures required by the Convention.