CMNT_TITLE

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Jamaica (RATIFICATION: 1975)

1. The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending 1 September 1996 and the information it contains in reply to its previous request. It notes the persistence of an unemployment rate of around 16 per cent, with women and young people under 25 years old being particularly affected. In addition, underemployment remains the chief cause of poverty, especially for young people. According to the information available to the Committee, growth in employment continues to be inadequate to meet the increase in the active population.

2. In this context, the Committee notes the indications concerning the national industrial policy, in particular regarding investment promotion and trade policy, as well as sectoral policies and small business development. Recalling that, under Article 2 of the Convention, the measures to be taken with a view to attaining the employment objectives must be determined and reviewed regularly "within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy", the Committee would be grateful if the Government would explain more specifically the contribution expected from the implementation of these various policies in promoting employment and the manner in which their coordination and assessment is ensured. In addition, please supply more detailed information on the measures taken with a view to promoting the development of employment in small businesses.

3. The Committee notes the information concerning programmes for promoting the integration into employment of categories of the population who have particular difficulty in this respect. It intends to examine those concerning access of women to vocational training and employment under its monitoring of the application of Convention No. 111. In regard to the training and employment of young persons, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the programme it describes, indicating whether more systematic assessment studies are being conducted or are contemplated. More generally, it requests the Government to describe its National Youth Policy and the manner in which this is coordinated with its global development strategy.

4. Article 3. The Committee notes the indication to the effect that consultations with employers' and workers' representatives take place "from time to time". It recalls that under this provision of the Convention representatives of the persons affected by the measures to be taken must be consulted concerning employment policies, and that these consultations must extend to all aspects of economic and social policy which have an impact on employment. The Committee requests the Government to supply full information on the manner in which such consultations are ensured, indicating any procedures established for this purpose.

5. Part V of the report form. The Committee requests the Government to supply the information required on the action taken or intended to be taken resulting from ILO advisory and technical cooperation activities, including from its multidisciplinary team.