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Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Belarus (RATIFICATION: 1968)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report for the period to 31 May 2000.

1. Article 1 of the Convention. The Government states that the unemployment rate decreased from 2.8 per cent in 1997 to 2.0 per cent in 1999. Forced administrative leave was taken in 1999 by 4.7 per cent of the employed, which was 14.5 per cent less than in 1998; and 42.6 per cent of those on leave were unemployed. The main focuses of the active labour market policy are: promoting structural adjustment and engaging displaced workers in profitable enterprises; developing a system of training, upgrading of skills, retraining and vocational guidance; increasing economic incentives for enterprises to create jobs, based on flexible forms of employment; and improving the institutional structure of the State Employment Service. The number of participants in vocational training increased from 1997 to 1999 by about 11 per cent. The number of people in public works programmes decreased during the same period by about 5 per cent. In 1999 there were about five times as many people in public works programmes as there were in vocational training. The Government aims to further reduce forced underemployment at work, and to promote employment by expanding its vocational guidance, training and retraining system in professions that are likely to increase in demand in the future. The Government is particularly concerned to prevent or address mass lay offs due to restructuring of enterprises. Measures implemented to address mass unemployment include: assisting people to choose an appropriate profession; vocational training and retraining; providing information concerning vacancies; promoting self-employment; and providing those in special need with reserved jobs. The Committee notes this information. It would appreciate receiving more detailed information in future reports on the various programmes implemented, and their impact on employment promotion.

2. Article 2. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that employment policies and programmes are based on labour market forecasts. Please provide further information on how employment polices and programmes are kept under review within a coordinated economic and social framework.

3. Article 3. The Government provides detailed information on the system of consultations between workers’ and employers’ representatives to prevent mass lay offs or ensure employment for released workers. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on the manner in which representatives of employers, workers and other sectors affected, such as the rural and informal sectors, are consulted more generally on the formulation, implementation and evaluation of employment policies and programmes.