Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report received in September 2008. The Government lists in its report several active labour market measures and other initiatives aimed at poverty reduction. The Committee also notes from the information provided by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica that, between 2005 and 2007, there was an overall downward trend in the rate of unemployment, commencing at 10.6 per cent in January 2005, and standing at 9.4 per cent in October 2007. The Committee also notes that from 2005 to 2007, the gross domestic product increased by 3.7 per cent. The Committee notes that Jamaica’s economic policies have been guided by the Medium Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework which embodies the development strategy for the period 2004–07. It is hoped that the information contained in the next report will enable the Committee to examine the extent to which economic growth translates into improved labour market outcomes and poverty reduction. In this regard, the Committee requests information on the results achieved by the measures implemented as part of an active policy intended to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment (Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention). Please also indicate the manner in which employment objectives are taken into account in the adoption and review of measures under monetary, budgetary and taxation policy, and price, income and wage policy.

2. Employment market measures. The Government reports that an Electronic Labour Exchange (ELE) was established to facilitate the efficient matching of potential employees and employers as well as to provide career information to jobseekers. A total of 296 persons gained employment with the assistance of the ELE during the 2007–08 financial year, and an additional 24 persons gained employment during the first quarter of 2008–09. The Committee asks the Government to supply information regarding the impact of the principal policies designed to match labour supply and demand, on both an occupational and geographical basis.

3. Education and vocational training. The Government reports that it introduced a “Steps-to-work” programme in May 2008 which seeks to enable participants to gain and retain suitable employment. The Government states that this programme will provide opportunities for human capital development and economic improvement, and represents a major shift in approach to welfare from poverty alleviation to the empowerment of individuals by providing opportunities for educational attainment and improving their marketability. The Committee would appreciate receiving information on the impact such measures have had on improving coordination between education and training policies and prospective employment opportunities.

4. Special measures in respect of young persons. The Committee notes that the Government has implemented a short-term labour market intervention programme to promote youth employment, skills training and overall development of young people. The Government reports that the programme aims to provide decent and productive work and training for 10,000 persons aged between 18 to 25 years, at a rate of 2,500 persons per year over four years. The Government also reports that the lead agency is also tasked with getting private sector employers to register with the project so that they might accept the programme participants into an arrangement similar to an apprenticeship. The Government is requested to include in its next report information on the results of the short-term labour market intervention programme aimed at promoting youth employment, skills training and overall development of young people, indicating the impact this programme has had on the employment situation of young persons.

5. Special measures in respect of persons with disabilities. The Government reports that it has in place a National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, which includes provisions for the Government to employ 5 per cent of persons with disabilities who are suitably qualified. This policy is to be supported by a National Disabilities Act which is still under preparation. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the finalized Act is expected to have measures to increase the opportunities available to persons with disabilities, and would address issues such as the accessibility of buildings and workstations; the provision of computer software to facilitate the disabled and adequate bathroom facilities; and discrimination against persons with disabilities in the workplace as well as in education and health facilities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to improve access of persons with disabilities to the open labour market, and the results thereof.

6. Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Committee reiterates its request to the Government to provide information in its next report on the manner in which consultations on the matters covered by the Convention are ensured, including any examples of the questions addressed or the decisions reached on employment policy through the tripartite boards and committees that exist in the country. The Government is also requested to provide information on whether consultations are carried out with representatives of the rural workers and the informal economy, as requested in the report form under Article 3.

7. ILO technical cooperation. The Committee invites the Government to include information in its next report on any relevant programmes and projects, developed with the assistance of the ILO, aimed at the creation of productive employment as set out in the Convention.