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

Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Serbia (Ratification: 2000)

Other comments on C088

Observation

2015

Direct Request

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The Committee notes the observations of the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia (CATUS), communicated with the Government’s report.

Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes the concern expressed by the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia that the National Employment Service (NES) has been inefficient as there are unemployed persons registered with the NES for ten years who have not been placed in employment. The Committee notes the detailed information on the labour market situation in Serbia contained in the Government’s report. The Government indicates that, despite recent developments in the macro and microeconomic situation of the country, the general employment situation is still unsatisfactory, which means that the NES faces great challenges. It adds that an increase in GDP in 2013 has helped to slow negative trends in the labour market. The Committee notes that a twinning project was implemented between May 2012 and June 2014 to accelerate labour market reforms in accordance with EU standards. The NES was among the key beneficiaries of this project. The Committee also notes that a network of seven migrant service centres has been established as part of the NES to provide migrants with information about employment opportunities, residence permits and education. In 2013, a total of 886 persons used the services offered by these centres. The Government reports an improvement in the services offered by the NES through its official website. The section of the NES website that matches labour demand with labour supply has been upgraded. By July 2014, 9,705 employers were registered in the NES database and the curriculum vitae of 92,345 jobseekers have been uploaded to the NES website. According to NES statistics, in 2013 a total of 44,148 job opportunities were registered. In the same year, 6,999 job applicants were referred to employers and were recruited or likely to be recruited after the selection processes. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the impact of the measures taken by the NES. Taking into consideration the observations made by the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the action taken by the NES to promote the job placement of long-term registered unemployed persons.

Articles 4 and 5. Cooperation with the social partners. The Government indicates that members of provincial and local employment councils are elected from among the social partners through procedures set out in the respective local government regulations. Candidates are nominated by the representative organizations of employers and workers of the local community concerned. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the outcomes of the consultations held within local employment councils in relation to the organization and operation of employment services.

Article 9. Staff of the employment service. The Government indicates that, in June 2014, the ratio of NES employees to users, which was 385:1, was unsatisfactory. It adds that the ratio of employment advisers to jobseekers was even more unfavorable, as there was one adviser for 1,257 unemployed persons. The Committee notes that the NES is undergoing changes in its organization and staff structure. The Committee requests the Government to provide information concerning the reorganization of the NES and its impact.