Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

The Committee notes the Government’s report containing partial replies to its previous comments.

Article 6(2)(a) and (b) of the Convention.  The Committee had previously asked the Government to provide further information on the implementation of the 11-point plan for a “positive transformation” of labour administration and to indicate how effect was given to Article 6(2)(a) of the Convention concerning the functions of the labour administration system in the area of the national employment policy. The Committee takes due note of the information concerning mostly training activities to strengthen key roles and competencies within the Ministry of Labour and, more generally, to promote employment and self-sufficiency, especially among the youth. The Committee also notes that, among the achievements reached under the 11-point programme, is the ratification of all the fundamental Conventions, the establishment of a productivity centre through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the restructuring of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal and the dissemination of information on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, to which Jamaica acceded in January 2005.

The Committee also notes, however, that point (1) on measures to reposition the Ministry to a higher profile among the Government’s planning and economic development agencies is, according to the Government, yet to be accomplished. It also observes that there is no specific information on the implementation of point (5) concerning the institutionalization of the Tripartite Labour Advisory Commission expected to play a more meaningful role in labour administration. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on progress made in the implementation of the 11-point plan, especially with regard to any measures taken or envisaged to implement points (1) and (5), and to provide copies of any relevant documents.

The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain information in reply to the Committee’s request on the progress achieved in the field of labour market information following the setting up in 2002 of an IT labour market information system, the establishment of the Labour Market Information Technical Advisory Committee responsible for providing technical advice to the Tripartite Labour Market and Labour Exchange Advisory Commission and the initiation of the Caribbean Labour Market Information System (CLMIS project) by the ILO in cooperation with the United States Department of Labor. The Government also indicated in its previous report that, in that framework, the Manpower Unit would be primarily involved in the revision of the Jamaica Standard Occupational Classification and the creation of a Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Accordingly, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide detailed information on progress achieved in the field of labour market information.

Articles 6(2)(a) and (b), and 7. The Committee notes that, according to the Government, the “Skills 2000” programme was initially addressed to persons on the Food Stamp Programme (now PATH) but, due to the overwhelming interest of the public, it had to be expanded and later handed over to the HEART Trust NTA (National Training Agency). The Committee notes that the programme has since expired and has been replaced by the Steps to Work programme run by the PATH Programme to help working-age members to become self-sufficient through four channels: job placement; remedial learning; entrepreneurship; and skills development. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the implementation and results of the Steps to Work programme and explain in particular how effect is given through this programme to Articles 6(2)(a) and (b), and 7 of the Convention.

Part IV of the report form. Noting that, in 2004, the Government was able to provide the ILO with the 2003 Statistical Bulletin of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, which contained detailed information as to the functioning of the labour administration system, including data on the labour market, the Committee would be grateful to receive such reports relating to the period covered by the next Government’s report, in order to better assess the level of application of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and its partial replies to its previous comments. It also notes the annual Statistical Bulletin (2003) of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. It observes that the Government’s report largely reiterates information which had already been provided and wishes to emphasize that the successive reports required under article 22 of the Constitution should preferably contain information on any changes that have occurred in the application of the Convention during the reporting period, as well as replies to the Committee’s comments.

Article 6, paragraph 2(a) and (b), of the Convention. The Government indicates in its report that no national employment policy has yet been defined, but that discussions have been held between the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security on this matter. The Committee notes with interest the information contained in the Government’s report relating to the setting up in 2002 of an IT labour market information system and the establishment of the Labour Market Information Technical Advisory Committee, which is responsible for providing technical advice to the Tripartite Labour Market and Labour Exchange Advisory Commission. Moreover, the Government highlights the Caribbean Labour Market Information System (CLMIS project), which has been initiated by the ILO in cooperation with the United States Department of Labor, and indicates that the Manpower Unit will be primarily involved in the revision of the Jamaica Standard Occupational Classification and the creation of a Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Moreover, according to recent information provided on the Government’s Internet site, the Tripartite Labour Advisory Commission met in November 2004 and has developed an 11-point plan for a "positive transformation" of labour administration, which strongly involves the social partners.

The Government is requested to provide detailed information on the implementation of the 11-point plan and copies of any related documents, as well as the progress achieved in the field of labour market information through the information system developed for this purpose, and to indicate how effect is given to Article 6, paragraph 2(a), of the Convention concerning the functions of the labour administration system in the area of the national employment policy.

Article 7. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the implementation and results of the "Skills 2000" programme, referred to in a previous report, which aimed to provide certain precarious categories of persons the opportunity to enter the labour market by increasing their income earning capacity, allowing them to engage in self-employment or to obtain remunerated employment. It would be grateful if the Government would also provide information on the categories of persons concerned by this programme.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and the information that it contains on the development of the labour administration system. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee requests the Government to provide extracts of any reports or other regular sources of information prepared by the main labour administration bodies cited in the report under Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention.

Noting the indication under Article 7 that the Labour Advisory Committee is currently revising the definition of the term "worker", the Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the outcome of the discussions on this issue and specify, where appropriate, the categories of workers envisaged in points (a) and (d) of this Article who may be covered by the new definition.

The Committee also requests the Government to provide data on the results of the programme "Skill 2000" referred to by the Government in successive reports and to provide, as it indicated that it would do in its report, pamphlets outlining other public assistance programmes.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which reads as follows:

The Committee notes with interest the detailed information provided by the Government in its report for the period ending 1 September 1997 and hopes that the Government will continue to provide such comprehensive reports in future.

Article 4 of the Convention.  The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the system of labour administration in Jamaica consists of five governmental/statutory bodies: (i) Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Sport; (ii) Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture; (iii) Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) Trust; (iv) Planning Institute of Jamaica; and (v) Statistical Institute of Jamaica. The Committee also notes the indication of the report that coordination of the functions and responsibilities of the system of labour administration are carried out through the Planning Institute of Jamaica, the Labour Advisory Committee, the Industrial Disputes Tribunal and the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission as well as information in respect of particular forms of such coordination. The Committee asks the Government to continue to supply information on the practical application of Article 4 of the Convention.

Article 5.  The Committee notes the indication of the report that the principles of tripartite consultation and cooperation are adhered to at all levels of the system of labour administration in that there is consultation on the implementation of national and international labour standards, done by way of written and oral communications and meetings. The Committee further notes that the National Planning Council (NPC), established in 1989, meets on a monthly basis and serves as an advisory body to the Government. As indicated in the report, comprising 22 members, the Council brings together the nation’s top policy- and decision-makers from the private sector and management, the trade unions, labour, Government and non-governmental organizations to contribute to the formulation of economic policies and programmes, to assess economic performance and to identify measures designed to achieve broad-based development and growth in productivity, employment and the national product. The NPC has the following major functions: (i) to consider important issues as they affect the process of economic development and to advise Government on matters relating to those issues; (ii) to assist Government in identifying key policy objectives and the interlinkages between sectors in the development of the National Five Year Plan; (iii) to help in the review of economic performance either at the macro or micro level and to recommend broad policies or specific programmes designed to ensure that rational objectives are achieved; and (iv) to act as a coordinating point where labour, the private sector and Government can meet to work towards the overall improvement in the standard of living of the nation as a whole. The Committee asks the Government to continue to supply information on the activities of the NPC.

Article 7.  The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether the system of labour administration also covers workers who are not, in law, employed persons, in respect of their conditions of work and working life. If not, please indicate whether the Government considers that national conditions require to meet the needs of the largest number of workers, the gradual extension of the functions of the labour administration system to include activities to cover them, and the measures taken to this end.

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

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes with interest the detailed information provided by the Government in its report for the period ending 1 September 1997 and hopes that the Government will continue to provide such comprehensive reports in future.

Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the system of labour administration in Jamaica consists of five governmental/statutory bodies: (i) Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Sport; (ii) Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture; (iii) Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) Trust; (iv) Planning Institute of Jamaica; and (v) Statistical Institute of Jamaica. The Committee also notes the indication of the report that coordination of the functions and responsibilities of the system of labour administration are carried out through the Planning Institute of Jamaica, the Labour Advisory Committee, the Industrial Disputes Tribunal and the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission as well as information in respect of particular forms of such coordination. The Committee asks the Government to continue to supply information on the practical application of Article 4 of the Convention.

Article 5. The Committee notes the indication of the report that the principles of tripartite consultation and cooperation are adhered to at all levels of the system of labour administration in that there is consultation on the implementation of national and international labour standards, done by way of written and oral communications and meetings. The Committee further notes that the National Planning Council (NPC), established in 1989, meets on a monthly basis and serves as an advisory body to the Government. As indicated in the report, comprising 22 members, the Council brings together the nation's top policy- and decision-makers from the private sector and management, the trade unions, labour, Government and non-governmental organizations to contribute to the formulation of economic policies and programmes, to assess economic performance and to identify measures designed to achieve broad-based development and growth in productivity, employment and the national product. The NPC has the following major functions: (i) to consider important issues as they affect the process of economic development and to advise Government on matters relating to those issues; (ii) to assist Government in identifying key policy objectives and the interlinkages between sectors in the development of the National Five Year Plan; (iii) to help in the review of economic performance either at the macro or micro level and to recommend broad policies or specific programmes designed to ensure that rational objectives are achieved; (iv) to act as a coordinating point where labour, the private sector and Government can meet to work towards the overall improvement in the standard of living of the nation as a whole. The Committee asks the Government to continue to supply information on the activities of the NPC.

Article 7. The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether the system of labour administration also covers workers who are not, in law, employed persons, in respect of their conditions of work and working life. If not, please indicate whether the Government considers that national conditions require to meet the needs of the largest number of workers, the gradual extension of the functions of the labour administration system to include activities to cover them, and the measures taken to this end.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee notes with interest the detailed information provided by the Government in its report for the period ending 1 September 1997 and hopes that the Government will continue to provide such comprehensive reports in future.

Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the system of labour administration in Jamaica consists of five governmental/statutory bodies: (i) Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Sport; (ii) Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture; (iii) Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) Trust; (iv) Planning Institute of Jamaica; and (v) Statistical Institute of Jamaica. The Committee also notes the indication of the report that coordination of the functions and responsibilities of the system of labour administration are carried out through the Planning Institute of Jamaica, the Labour Advisory Committee, the Industrial Disputes Tribunal and the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission as well as information in respect of particular forms of such coordination. The Committee asks the Government to continue to supply information on the practical application of Article 4 of the Convention.

Article 5. The Committee notes the indication of the report that the principles of tripartite consultation and cooperation are adhered to at all levels of the system of labour administration in that there is consultation on the implementation of national and international labour standards, done by way of written and oral communications and meetings. The Committee further notes that the National Planning Council (NPC), established in 1989, meets on a monthly basis and serves as an advisory body to the Government. As indicated in the report, comprising 22 members, the Council brings together the nation's top policy- and decision- makers from the private sector and management, the trade unions, labour, Government and non-governmental organizations to contribute to the formulation of economic policies and programmes, to assess economic performance and to identify measures designed to achieve broad-based development and growth in productivity, employment and the national product. The NPC has the following major functions: (i) to consider important issues as they affect the process of economic development and to advise Government on matters relating to those issues; (ii) to assist Government in identifying key policy objectives and the interlinkages between sectors in the development of the National Five Year Plan; (iii) to help in the review of economic performance either at the macro or micro level and to recommend broad policies or specific programmes designed to ensure that rational objectives are achieved; (iv) to act as a coordinating point where labour, the private sector and Government can meet to work towards the overall improvement in the standard of living of the nation as a whole. The Committee asks the Government to continue to supply information on the activities of the NPC.

Article 7. The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether the system of labour administration also covers workers who are not, in law, employed persons, in respect of their conditions of work and working life. If not, please indicate whether the Government considers that national conditions require to meet the needs of the largest number of workers, the gradual extension of the functions of the labour administration system to include activities to cover them, and the measures taken to this end.