Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Antigua and Barbuda (RATIFICATION: 2002)

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The Committee notes with deep concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It expects that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments. The Committee informs the Government that, if it has not supplied replies to the points raised by 1 September 2024, then it may proceed with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information at its disposal at its next session.

Repetition

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends and active labour market measures. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the measures taken to formulate and implement an active employment policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Government reports that the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Public Safety and Labour has implemented an Active Labour Market Programme, which aims to increase employment opportunities in the country. In this context, it indicates that the Antigua and Barbuda Skills Training and Empowerment Programme 2015–18 (ABSTEP) was administered by the Labour Department’s One Stop Employment Centre as part of the World Bank-funded Public and Social Sector Transformation Project. The ABSTEP was designed with two components: the Temporary Employment Programme (TEP) and the Training Programme (TP). The Government indicates that the TEP provided income support to the less experienced, low-income unemployed through providing a temporary (six-month) job experience plus life-skills training, whereas the TP aimed to provide retraining and competence certification to the more experienced among this population. The Committee notes that while three cohorts of the TEP were successfully completed, the TP was not launched and as of 2014 the ABSTEP Programme was discontinued. The Government indicates that the Labour Department is currently undertaking the New Work Experience Programme, sponsored by local government, which enables young workers aged 18–35 to gain work experience through quick placements. It adds that the Programme, which has existed since the late seventies, was recently rebranded to include varying categories of employment. The Programme has placed 532 trainees, of whom 121 have gained permanent employment. The Committee also notes the formulation of the Medium Term Development Strategy 2015–19 (MTDS), which establishes the strategic development priorities for the country. Moreover, the Committee notes that, according to information available on the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) website, the approval of the Country Strategy for Antigua and Barbuda for the period 2015–18 by the Directors of the CDB, which is aligned with the priorities set out in the MTDS. The Country Strategy document outlines the assistance strategy and planned strategic focus to accelerate the country’s economic growth and pursue sustainable development over the specified period. It was developed in consultation with officials of the Government and key stakeholders. Interventions in the framework of the Country Strategy from 2015 to 2018 will be geared toward achieving seven outcomes, including improved access to and quality of education, increased private sector competitiveness and better economic management. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken under the Active Labour Market Programme and their impact on the promotion of full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate the manner in which employment policy measures are kept under review within the framework of an overall coordinated economic and social policy.

Education and training policies and programmes. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide updated information on the measures taken in the area of education and training policies and their relation to prospective employment opportunities. The Government reports that the Ministry of Education is engaged in a consultancy funded by the CDB to develop a technical and vocational policy for schools. According to the interim report of the consultant provided by the Government, Antigua and Barbuda has a serious shortage of qualified labour and imports labour, placing the local population at a disadvantage, as locals lack the requisite skills and competencies to compete effectively with persons from other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) States who arrive with Skills Certificates. The Government indicates that a draft Education Sector Plan for 2013–18 has been developed, and that one of its strategic goals is to strengthen technical and vocational training in schools. The Plan was later revised in another draft on Education and Training for Economic Advancement for 2021. Finally, the Government indicates that the Ministry of Education conducted technical and vocational training with over 30 teachers in June 2017 to enable them to serve as assessors and trainers in the schools. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the status of the draft Education Sector Plan and the Education and Training for Economic Advancement for 2021 as well as on the impact of the consultancy on education and training policies. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities and their impact, if any.

Article 2. Collection and use of labour market information. The Government indicates that the Labour Market Information System is currently being utilized by the Labour Department, but that the statistical website to capture data has not been furnished. The Government adds that the CARICOM has provided a statistical website (Dot.Stat) that requires the fulfilment of 34 indicators separated into three categories: immediate; short-term; and medium-term. The Government indicates that once the file is made available to the Labour Department, it will be in a better position to upload the relevant data to the website. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken to improve its labour market information system, including the manner in which the data collected is used in designing, implementing and reviewing employment policy measures. It also requests the Government to supply updated labour market information on the situation, level and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, disaggregated by age and sex.

Article 3. Consultation with the social partners. The Government indicates that the appendix to the National Economic and Social Transformation (NEST) Plan provides examples of the manner in which account is taken of the opinions and experiences of the representatives of employers and workers with regard to the formulation and implementation of employment policies. Nevertheless, the Committee notes that the cited appendix is not provided. In addition, the Committee notes that, in the framework of the consultancy to develop a technical and vocational policy for schools, consultations were held with key stakeholders, such as the Ministries of Labour and Employment, the National Training Agency, employers’ umbrella organizations, trade unions, the Chamber of Commerce, representatives of the Youth Council and student representatives. The objectives of these consultations included identifying the labour market needs of Antigua and Barbuda to assess the extent to which current training offerings in the secondary school system is aligned with the country’s economic development needs and reviewing the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme offerings in the schools to determine their alignment with the Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) training delivery and assessment processes. The Committee requests the Government to provide concrete examples of the manner in which account is taken of the opinions and experiences of the social partners in the development, implementation and review of employment policy measures and programmes and their coordination with other economic and social policies.

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The Committee notes with concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends and active labour market measures. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the measures taken to formulate and implement an active employment policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Government reports that the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Public Safety and Labour has implemented an Active Labour Market Programme, which aims to increase employment opportunities in the country. In this context, it indicates that the Antigua and Barbuda Skills Training and Empowerment Programme 2015–18 (ABSTEP) was administered by the Labour Department’s One Stop Employment Centre as part of the World Bank-funded Public and Social Sector Transformation Project. The ABSTEP was designed with two components: the Temporary Employment Programme (TEP) and the Training Programme (TP). The Government indicates that the TEP provided income support to the less experienced, low-income unemployed through providing a temporary (six-month) job experience plus life-skills training, whereas the TP aimed to provide retraining and competence certification to the more experienced among this population. The Committee notes that while three cohorts of the TEP were successfully completed, the TP was not launched and as of 2014 the ABSTEP Programme was discontinued. The Government indicates that the Labour Department is currently undertaking the New Work Experience Programme, sponsored by local government, which enables young workers aged 18–35 to gain work experience through quick placements. It adds that the Programme, which has existed since the late seventies, was recently rebranded to include varying categories of employment. The Programme has placed 532 trainees, of whom 121 have gained permanent employment. The Committee also notes the formulation of the Medium Term Development Strategy 2015–19 (MTDS), which establishes the strategic development priorities for the country. Moreover, the Committee notes that, according to information available on the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) website, the approval of the Country Strategy for Antigua and Barbuda for the period 2015–18 by the Directors of the CDB, which is aligned with the priorities set out in the MTDS. The Country Strategy document outlines the assistance strategy and planned strategic focus to accelerate the country’s economic growth and pursue sustainable development over the specified period. It was developed in consultation with officials of the Government and key stakeholders. Interventions in the framework of the Country Strategy from 2015 to 2018 will be geared toward achieving seven outcomes, including improved access to and quality of education, increased private sector competitiveness and better economic management.The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken under the Active Labour Market Programme and their impact on the promotion of full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate the manner in which employment policy measures are kept under review within the framework of an overall coordinated economic and social policy.

Education and training policies and programmes. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide updated information on the measures taken in the area of education and training policies and their relation to prospective employment opportunities. The Government reports that the Ministry of Education is engaged in a consultancy funded by the CDB to develop a technical and vocational policy for schools. According to the interim report of the consultant provided by the Government, Antigua and Barbuda has a serious shortage of qualified labour and imports labour, placing the local population at a disadvantage, as locals lack the requisite skills and competencies to compete effectively with persons from other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) States who arrive with Skills Certificates. The Government indicates that a draft Education Sector Plan for 2013–18 has been developed, and that one of its strategic goals is to strengthen technical and vocational training in schools. The Plan was later revised in another draft on Education and Training for Economic Advancement for 2021. Finally, the Government indicates that the Ministry of Education conducted technical and vocational training with over 30 teachers in June 2017 to enable them to serve as assessors and trainers in the schools.The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the status of the draft Education Sector Plan and the Education and Training for Economic Advancement for 2021 as well as on the impact of the consultancy on education and training policies. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities and their impact, if any.

Article 2. Collection and use of labour market information. The Government indicates that the Labour Market Information System is currently being utilized by the Labour Department, but that the statistical website to capture data has not been furnished. The Government adds that the CARICOM has provided a statistical website (Dot.Stat) that requires the fulfilment of 34 indicators separated into three categories: immediate; short-term; and medium-term. The Government indicates that once the file is made available to the Labour Department, it will be in a better position to upload the relevant data to the website.The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken to improve its labour market information system, including the manner in which the data collected is used in designing, implementing and reviewing employment policy measures. It also requests the Government to supply updated labour market information on the situation, level and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, disaggregated by age and sex.

Article 3. Consultation with the social partners. The Government indicates that the appendix to the National Economic and Social Transformation (NEST) Plan provides examples of the manner in which account is taken of the opinions and experiences of the representatives of employers and workers with regard to the formulation and implementation of employment policies. Nevertheless, the Committee notes that the cited appendix is not provided. In addition, the Committee notes that, in the framework of the consultancy to develop a technical and vocational policy for schools, consultations were held with key stakeholders, such as the Ministries of Labour and Employment, the National Training Agency, employers’ umbrella organizations, trade unions, the Chamber of Commerce, representatives of the Youth Council and student representatives. The objectives of these consultations included identifying the labour market needs of Antigua and Barbuda to assess the extent to which current training offerings in the secondary school system is aligned with the country’s economic development needs and reviewing the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme offerings in the schools to determine their alignment with the Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) training delivery and assessment processes.The Committee requests the Government to provide concrete examples of the manner in which account is taken of the opinions and experiences of the social partners in the development, implementation and review of employment policy measures and programmes and their coordination with other economic and social policies.

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends and active labour market measures. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the measures taken to formulate and implement an active employment policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Government reports that the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Public Safety and Labour has implemented an Active Labour Market Programme, which aims to increase employment opportunities in the country. In this context, it indicates that the Antigua and Barbuda Skills Training and Empowerment Programme 2015–18 (ABSTEP) was administered by the Labour Department’s One Stop Employment Centre as part of the World Bank-funded Public and Social Sector Transformation Project. The ABSTEP was designed with two components: the Temporary Employment Programme (TEP) and the Training Programme (TP). The Government indicates that the TEP provided income support to the less experienced, low-income unemployed through providing a temporary (six-month) job experience plus life-skills training, whereas the TP aimed to provide retraining and competence certification to the more experienced among this population. The Committee notes that while three cohorts of the TEP were successfully completed, the TP was not launched and as of 2014 the ABSTEP Programme was discontinued. The Government indicates that the Labour Department is currently undertaking the New Work Experience Programme, sponsored by local government, which enables young workers aged 18–35 to gain work experience through quick placements. It adds that the Programme, which has existed since the late seventies, was recently rebranded to include varying categories of employment. The Programme has placed 532 trainees, of whom 121 have gained permanent employment. The Committee also notes the formulation of the Medium Term Development Strategy 2015–19 (MTDS), which establishes the strategic development priorities for the country. Moreover, the Committee notes that, according to information available on the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) website, the approval of the Country Strategy for Antigua and Barbuda for the period 2015–18 by the Directors of the CDB, which is aligned with the priorities set out in the MTDS. The Country Strategy document outlines the assistance strategy and planned strategic focus to accelerate the country’s economic growth and pursue sustainable development over the specified period. It was developed in consultation with officials of the Government and key stakeholders. Interventions in the framework of the Country Strategy from 2015 to 2018 will be geared toward achieving seven outcomes, including improved access to and quality of education, increased private sector competitiveness and better economic management. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken under the Active Labour Market Programme and their impact on the promotion of full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate the manner in which employment policy measures are kept under review within the framework of an overall coordinated economic and social policy.

Education and training policies and programmes. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide updated information on the measures taken in the area of education and training policies and their relation to prospective employment opportunities. The Government reports that the Ministry of Education is engaged in a consultancy funded by the CDB to develop a technical and vocational policy for schools. According to the interim report of the consultant provided by the Government, Antigua and Barbuda has a serious shortage of qualified labour and imports labour, placing the local population at a disadvantage, as locals lack the requisite skills and competencies to compete effectively with persons from other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) States who arrive with Skills Certificates. The Government indicates that a draft Education Sector Plan for 2013–18 has been developed, and that one of its strategic goals is to strengthen technical and vocational training in schools. The Plan was later revised in another draft on Education and Training for Economic Advancement for 2021. Finally, the Government indicates that the Ministry of Education conducted technical and vocational training with over 30 teachers in June 2017 to enable them to serve as assessors and trainers in the schools. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the status of the draft Education Sector Plan and the Education and Training for Economic Advancement for 2021 as well as on the impact of the consultancy on education and training policies. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities and their impact, if any.

Article 2. Collection and use of labour market information. The Government indicates that the Labour Market Information System is currently being utilized by the Labour Department, but that the statistical website to capture data has not been furnished. The Government adds that the CARICOM has provided a statistical website (Dot.Stat) that requires the fulfilment of 34 indicators separated into three categories: immediate; short-term; and medium-term. The Government indicates that once the file is made available to the Labour Department, it will be in a better position to upload the relevant data to the website. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken to improve its labour market information system, including the manner in which the data collected is used in designing, implementing and reviewing employment policy measures. It also requests the Government to supply updated labour market information on the situation, level and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, disaggregated by age and sex.

Article 3. Consultation with the social partners. The Government indicates that the appendix to the National Economic and Social Transformation (NEST) Plan provides examples of the manner in which account is taken of the opinions and experiences of the representatives of employers and workers with regard to the formulation and implementation of employment policies. Nevertheless, the Committee notes that the cited appendix is not provided. In addition, the Committee notes that, in the framework of the consultancy to develop a technical and vocational policy for schools, consultations were held with key stakeholders, such as the Ministries of Labour and Employment, the National Training Agency, employers’ umbrella organizations, trade unions, the Chamber of Commerce, representatives of the Youth Council and student representatives. The objectives of these consultations included identifying the labour market needs of Antigua and Barbuda to assess the extent to which current training offerings in the secondary school system is aligned with the country’s economic development needs and reviewing the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme offerings in the schools to determine their alignment with the Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) training delivery and assessment processes. The Committee requests the Government to provide concrete examples of the manner in which account is taken of the opinions and experiences of the social partners in the development, implementation and review of employment policy measures and programmes and their coordination with other economic and social policies.

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Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends and active labour market measures. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the measures taken to formulate and implement an active employment policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Government reports that the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Public Safety and Labour has implemented an Active Labour Market Programme, which aims to increase employment opportunities in the country. In this context, it indicates that the Antigua and Barbuda Skills Training and Empowerment Programme 2015–18 (ABSTEP) was administered by the Labour Department’s One Stop Employment Centre as part of the World Bank-funded Public and Social Sector Transformation Project. The ABSTEP was designed with two components: the Temporary Employment Programme (TEP) and the Training Programme (TP). The Government indicates that the TEP provided income support to the less experienced, low-income unemployed through providing a temporary (six-month) job experience plus life-skills training, whereas the TP aimed to provide retraining and competence certification to the more experienced among this population. The Committee notes that while three cohorts of the TEP were successfully completed, the TP was not launched and as of 2014 the ABSTEP Programme was discontinued. The Government indicates that the Labour Department is currently undertaking the New Work Experience Programme, sponsored by local government, which enables young workers aged 18–35 to gain work experience through quick placements. It adds that the Programme, which has existed since the late seventies, was recently rebranded to include varying categories of employment. The Programme has placed 532 trainees, of whom 121 have gained permanent employment. The Committee also notes the formulation of the Medium Term Development Strategy 2015–19 (MTDS), which establishes the strategic development priorities for the country. Moreover, the Committee notes that, according to information available on the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) website, the approval of the Country Strategy for Antigua and Barbuda for the period 2015–18 by the Directors of the CDB, which is aligned with the priorities set out in the MTDS. The Country Strategy document outlines the assistance strategy and planned strategic focus to accelerate the country’s economic growth and pursue sustainable development over the specified period. It was developed in consultation with officials of the Government and key stakeholders. Interventions in the framework of the Country Strategy from 2015 to 2018 will be geared toward achieving seven outcomes, including improved access to and quality of education, increased private sector competitiveness and better economic management. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken under the Active Labour Market Programme and their impact on the promotion of full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate the manner in which employment policy measures are kept under review within the framework of an overall coordinated economic and social policy.

Education and training policies and programmes. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide updated information on the measures taken in the area of education and training policies and their relation to prospective employment opportunities. The Government reports that the Ministry of Education is engaged in a consultancy funded by the CDB to develop a technical and vocational policy for schools. According to the interim report of the consultant provided by the Government, Antigua and Barbuda has a serious shortage of qualified labour and imports labour, placing the local population at a disadvantage, as locals lack the requisite skills and competencies to compete effectively with persons from other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) States who arrive with Skills Certificates. The Government indicates that a draft Education Sector Plan for 2013–18 has been developed, and that one of its strategic goals is to strengthen technical and vocational training in schools. The Plan was later revised in another draft on Education and Training for Economic Advancement for 2021. Finally, the Government indicates that the Ministry of Education conducted technical and vocational training with over 30 teachers in June 2017 to enable them to serve as assessors and trainers in the schools. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the status of the draft Education Sector Plan and the Education and Training for Economic Advancement for 2021 as well as on the impact of the consultancy on education and training policies. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities and their impact, if any.

Article 2. Collection and use of labour market information. The Government indicates that the Labour Market Information System is currently being utilized by the Labour Department, but that the statistical website to capture data has not been furnished. The Government adds that the CARICOM has provided a statistical website (Dot.Stat) that requires the fulfilment of 34 indicators separated into three categories: immediate; short-term; and medium-term. The Government indicates that once the file is made available to the Labour Department, it will be in a better position to upload the relevant data to the website. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken to improve its labour market information system, including the manner in which the data collected is used in designing, implementing and reviewing employment policy measures. It also requests the Government to supply updated labour market information on the situation, level and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, disaggregated by age and sex.

Article 3. Consultation with the social partners. The Government indicates that the appendix to the National Economic and Social Transformation (NEST) Plan provides examples of the manner in which account is taken of the opinions and experiences of the representatives of employers and workers with regard to the formulation and implementation of employment policies. Nevertheless, the Committee notes that the cited appendix is not provided. In addition, the Committee notes that, in the framework of the consultancy to develop a technical and vocational policy for schools, consultations were held with key stakeholders, such as the Ministries of Labour and Employment, the National Training Agency, employers’ umbrella organizations, trade unions, the Chamber of Commerce, representatives of the Youth Council and student representatives. The objectives of these consultations included identifying the labour market needs of Antigua and Barbuda to assess the extent to which current training offerings in the secondary school system is aligned with the country’s economic development needs and reviewing the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme offerings in the schools to determine their alignment with the Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) training delivery and assessment processes. The Committee requests the Government to provide concrete examples of the manner in which account is taken of the opinions and experiences of the social partners in the development, implementation and review of employment policy measures and programmes and their coordination with other economic and social policies.

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Article 1 of the Convention. Employment trends and active labour market measures. The Committee notes the brief report received in September 2014 in which the Government reiterates comments made in its previous report. The Committee reiterates that ratification of the Convention creates a basic obligation on States to make an explicit formal pronouncement of their employment policy (see paragraph 26 of the 2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments). The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on measures taken to formulate and implement an active employment policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment. It encourages the Government to take the necessary steps to obtain ILO technical assistance in this regard. The Committee also requests the Government to include information on how the employment measures adopted have translated into the generation of productive and lasting employment opportunities for the unemployed.

Education and vocational training. The Government indicates that the National Training Agency continues to encounter some difficulty in coordinating certification in vocational qualifications for certain trades, such as masons, carpenters and plumbers. The Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Education continues to offer vocational training to young adults. The Committee notes that the Government has requested ILO technical assistance in its report on the application of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142). The Committee refers to its comments on Convention No. 142 and invites the Government to provide, in its next report on this Convention, updated information on the measures taken in the area of education and training policies and on their relation to prospective employment opportunities.

Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. The Government indicates that the implementation of the labour market information system has been achieved and is currently being utilized by the Department of Labour. The Government adds that information will be communicated to the ILO as soon as it becomes available. The Committee invites the Government to provide relevant statistical information and to indicate how the information collected has been used by the Department of Labour to formulate and implement active employment policy measures.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Government indicates that it collaborates with its social partners through dialogue and seeking their input before decisions are made concerning the design and implementation of active labour market measures. The Committee reiterates its previous request and invites the Government to provide examples on the manner in which account is taken of the opinions and experiences of the representatives of employers and workers with regard to the formulation and implementation of employment policies.

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Article 1 of the Convention. Employment trends and active labour market measures. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in August 2013 in reply to its 2011 direct request. The Government indicates that it recognizes the need to formulate an employment policy. It reiterates that, as a result of the global economic crisis, employment generation has been low. The Government adds that it has sought ways of attracting investments to boost employment. The Committee once again refers to its 2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments in which it indicated that ratification of the Convention creates a basic obligation on States to make an explicit formal pronouncement of their employment policy. The Committee once again requests the Government to include in its next report information on measures taken to formulate and implement an active employment policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment. It also requests the Government to include information on how the employment measures adopted have translated into the generation of productive and lasting employment opportunities for the unemployed.

Education and vocational training. The Government indicates in its report, as was also indicated in its report on the application of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), that the National Training Agency has not been able to carry out its mandate due to a lack of a proper structure and inadequate personnel. The Committee refers to its comments on Convention No. 142 and invites the Government to provide information on the measures taken in the area of education and training policies and on their relation to prospective employment opportunities.

Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. The Government indicates that it has received technical assistance from the ILO in order to set up a labour market information system. The Committee notes the indication of the Government that the database is in place and that statistical information should be forthcoming in its next report. The Committee invites the Government to provide statistical information in its next report and to indicate how the information collected has been used to formulate and implement an active employment policy.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Government indicates that the social partners are consulted on every aspect of policy design. It adds that it recognizes the wealth of information and experience of its social partners. The Committee reiterates its previous request and invites the Government to address this essential issue in its next report by demonstrating how representatives of employers and workers are consulted with regard to the design and implementation of active labour market measures.

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Article 1 of the Convention. Employment trends and active labour market measures. The Committee notes the Government’s brief report received in August 2011 containing succinct replies to the points raised in the 2009 direct request. The Government indicates that there is no active employment policy and that the global economic crisis has diminished economic growth and activity in all sectors of the economy. As a result of this, employment growth has been slow, retrenchments and redundancies have increased considerably in all industry sectors. The Government further reports that the introduction of the unemployment fund has been negatively affected. The Committee highlights in its 2010 General Survey on employment instruments that ratification of the Convention creates a basic obligation on States to make an explicit formal pronouncement of their employment policy. The Committee requests the Government to include in its next report information on any measures taken to ensure an active employment policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment. It also requests the Government to include information on how the measures adopted have succeeded in mitigating the impact of the global economic crisis on the labour market and have translated into the generation of productive and lasting employment opportunities for the unemployed.

Education and vocational training. The Government indicates that the National Training Agency (NTA) aims to facilitate the training of Instructors for the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Education (ABICE) which provides vocational training to young adults. The NTA also coordinates the Certificate in Vocational Qualification (CVQ) in conjunction with the ABICE and aims for closer cooperation with organizations, such as the Contractors’ Association and the Antigua Plumbers’ Association, on issues relating to the assessment of job practices and protective employment opportunities. The Committee invites the Government to provide further information on the measures taken in the area of education and training policies and on their relation to prospective employment opportunities. It also invites the Government to include detailed information in its next report on the results achieved and difficulties encountered by the National Training Agency in its operations.

Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. The Government indicates that it is contemplating receiving technical assistance from the ILO in order to set up a Labour Market Information System (LMIS) statistical database. The database is expected to be in place at the end of 2011. The Committee invites the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the results achieved in the implementation of the LMIS statistical database and how the information collected has been used to design and implement an active employment policy.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Committee reiterates its previous request and invites the Government to address this essential issue in its next report by demonstrating how representatives of employers and workers are consulted at the policy designing and implementation stages so that their experience and views are taken into account with regard to the design and implementation of active labour market measures.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2013.]

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1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends and active labour market measures. The Committee notes the Government’s reply received in September 2009 to its 2008 direct request. The Government reports that it still does not have an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, and that the global economic crisis has forced it to re‑evaluate its position as workers are losing their jobs and economic activities have slowed. The Committee notes with interest that the Government has introduced an unemployment fund to assist those workers who have lost their jobs. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information on any measures or steps taken to ensure an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Committee would also welcome receiving information on any programmes or measures implemented as regards preserving jobs and economic activities during the global economic crisis.

2. Education and vocational training. The Committee notes with interest that the Government further reports that the National Training Agency Act took effect on 4 December 2008, which, in conjunction with the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Education, aims to enhance technical and vocational training. The Committee invites the Government to supply information on how the National Training Agency (NTA) aims to coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

3. Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. The Government reiterates in its report that the Labour Department of Antigua and Barbuda houses a statistical unit which is charged with the collection of data in reference to employment. The Committee notes that the Government is seeking ILO technical assistance in setting up an effective statistical database. The Committee continues to invite the Government to supply information on steps taken to strengthen the capacity of the statistics unit of the Labour Department to collect and analyse statistical data and to assess the situation of, and trends in, employment, unemployment and underemployment.

4. Article 3. Participation of social partners in the formulation and application of policies. The Committee notes that the National Labour Board has the mandate of reviewing the national Labour Code. This Board is comprised of representatives from government, the unions and the Employers’ Federation, and consultations are held through this forum. The Committee further notes that, according to part 1, section 4, of the National Training Agency Act, the Agency is governed by the board of directors comprising four public officers and seven private sector representatives, including representatives from the Trade Union Congress and the Employers’ Federation. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the consultations held by the NTA on the matters covered by the Convention, specifically, details of their contribution to the implementation of an active employment policy.

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The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention, received in July 2008.

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Government indicates in its report that an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment is not applicable to Antigua and Barbuda at this time. The Government reports that its stated policy is to expand the financial services sector. According to information available, the rate of unemployment in Antigua and Barbuda stood at 3.3 per cent in 2001. The Committee notes from the Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean, prepared by the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, that in 2007 Antigua and Barbuda experienced rapid growth at a rate of 6.1 per cent. Such growth was attributed to tourism-related construction. The Committee requests that the Government provide information in its next report on the steps that have been taken to put in place, and keep under periodical review, an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment in Antigua and Barbuda. In this regard, the Committee invites the Government to provide information on steps taken to ensure that employment policy considerations are placed at the heart of macro-economic and social policies, and to provide information on the effect its general and sectoral economic policies, such as the Government’s stated policy of expanding the financial services sector, have had in achieving employment generation. The Committee would also welcome receiving comprehensive information on the programmes implemented and their impact on employment promotion, both in aggregate and as they affect particular categories of workers such as women, young persons, older workers and workers with disabilities.

2. Employment services. The Government indicates in its report that a “One Stop Employment Centre” was established in the Labour Department of Antigua and Barbuda, which is responsible for the registration of persons seeking employment. The Employment Centre communicates with employers with a view to undertaking job-matching. The Committee invites the Government to supply more information on the means by which the “One Stop Employment Centre” serves to match labour supply and demand, and the effect such activities are having on employment promotion.

3. Education and vocational training. The Government indicates in its report that, in light of its stated policy to expand the financial services sector, community access centres were established to train persons in the area of information technology. The community access centres are open to all categories of workers. The Committee also notes that the Government has embarked on an initiative, with the assistance of the European Union, to strengthen technical and vocational education. The Government indicates that this policy will become fully operational following the enactment of the Antigua and Barbuda National Training Agency Act which is presently before Parliament. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information on the results of its technical and vocational training programmes, following the enactment of the Antigua and Barbuda National Training Agency Act and the measures taken to ensure that the skills acquired through such training programmes meet the demands of the labour market.

4. Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. The Government indicates in its report that the Labour Department of Antigua and Barbuda houses a statistical unit which is charged with the collection of data in reference to employment. The Committee invites the Government to supply information on steps taken to strengthen the capacity of the statistics unit of the Labour Department to collect and analyse statistical data and to assess the situation of, and trends in, employment, unemployment and underemployment.

5. Article 3. Participation of the social partners in policy preparation and implementation. The Government indicates in its report that there are no formal consultative procedures in place with respect to this provision of the Convention. Nevertheless, the Government states that any revision of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code is done by the National Labour Board. According to section B7 of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code, the National Labour Board is comprised of representatives, in equal numbers, of governments, employers and employees. By section B7(3) of the Labour Code, the principal responsibility of the National Labour Board is to periodically review the Code in light of the development, economic and social needs of Antigua and Barbuda and to advise the Minister on the need for changes in the said Code. The Committee requests the Government to provide specific information in its next report on the manner in which the National Labour Board operates in practice such that social partners are consulted concerning employment policies and that their experiences and views are fully taken into account in formulating such policies.