Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

1. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes that the Government passed a law concerning the improvement of employment, management, etc. of part-time workers in 1993, and has issued guidelines on training for part-time workers. These stipulate that employers shall endeavour to promote effective utilization of part-time workers' abilities by implementing education and training in due consideration of the actual work conditions of part-time workers concerned and to maintain a balance with regular workers. The State and prefectures shall endeavour to pay due attention to vocational training of part-time workers. To this end, short-term ordinary vocational training has been provided at various training centres. The Committee would appreciate being kept informed of the impact of the law and guidelines on promotion of training for part-time workers, particularly women, to encourage and enable all persons, on an equal basis and without any discrimination, to develop and use their capabilities for work in their own best interests and in accordance with their own aspirations, account being taken of the needs of society, in accordance with Article 1, paragraph 5, of the Convention.

2. The Committee notes the measures taken under the Law concerning Improvement of System for Propulsion of Measures For Promotion of Lifelong Learning (No. 71 of 1990) include preparation of a basic plan for promoting lifelong learning and providing opportunities for learning through the capacity of private businesses. The Committee would appreciate being kept informed of the Government's progress in carrying out the basic plan, and receiving any available assessment which would indicate whether the basic plan meets the changing requirements of individuals throughout their life, as well as those of the economy and of the different branches of economic activity, as requested in the report form under Article 4.