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Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - El Salvador (RATIFICATION: 1995)

1. The Committee notes the Government’s detailed report for the period ending 31 May 2000. The New Alliance Government Plan, 1999-2000, maintains among its objectives the creation by the Government and private initiative of the conditions to promote the creation of employment opportunities. The Government adds in its report that the labour legislation in El Salvador is extremely rigid, which can lead to a major loss of efficiency. The need to reduce the adjustment costs of the labour force to respond to unforeseeable changes in economic conditions has given rise to a demand for greater flexibility, both with regard to termination costs and new forms of recruitment. In this respect, the Committee notes that the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance has requested the Office’s assistance (the Multidisciplinary Advisory Team for Central America) with a view to improving knowledge of employment problems in the country and making progress in the development of policies for the promotion of greater opportunities for decent work for women and men. The ILO’s assistance should improve knowledge of the extent of employment and income problems and their relationship with the socio-economic conditions of households and should make it possible to develop policies and programmes for the promotion of greater employment opportunities and better conditions for the employability of the labour force. The Committee therefore trusts that the Government will continue to give priority in its plans and programmes to the objectives of full employment, taking duly into account the application and promotion of the principles and rights set out in international labour standards as necessities in a competitive economy. In this respect, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information in its next report on the action taken as a consequence of the assistance provided by the ILO in relation to the employment policy to promote decent work (Article 1 of the Convention).

2. Recalling that in January and February 2001, two very strong earthquakes resulted in serious losses, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information in its next report on the employment policy measures which have been adopted to address the labour needs of the persons affected and the reconstruction of infrastructure and housing, including the assistance received in this respect from the ILO.

The Committee is raising other matters concerning the application of the Convention in a direct request.