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

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Slovenia (Ratification: 1992)

The Committee notes the observations of the Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (in cooperation with the trade union “Mladi pluse”), transmitted by the Government in September 2015.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Active labour market measures and employment policy. The Committee notes the 2013 amendments to the Act on Labour Market Regulation (ZUTD) and the other legislative and administrative measures adopted to promote employment. The Government provides an assessment in its report of the labour market situation, indicating that in 2013 the country was still affected by the economic crisis, which limited the access of young people and the long-term unemployed to the labour market. In 2013, the unemployment rate was estimated at 10.3 per cent, the youth unemployment rate reached 21.6 per cent and the long-term unemployment rate was 5.2 per cent. The Government also reports that in 2014 the labour market situation started to recover after five years of rising unemployment. As a result, the unemployment rate of persons in the 20–64 age group declined to 9.7 per cent. In 2014, a total of 37,728 unemployed persons participated in active labour market measures, of whom 20,470 found employment. The Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia observes that the Government’s expenditure on active labour market policies for 2015 has been reduced by one third compared to the previous year. The Government indicates that higher economic growth was forecast for 2015, together with an increase in employment in the private sector. The inflow of new unemployed persons is expected to decline by 1 per cent in 2015, compared with 2014. The Committee notes that, despite recent improvements in the labour market situation, the long-term unemployment rate has continued increasing. In 2013, the long-term unemployed represented 51 per cent of total unemployment. According to the information provided by the Public Employment Service, in 2014, a total of 24,697 registered unemployed persons had been jobless for over 36 months. The Government indicates that long-term unemployment, combined with low levels of education, is a complex issue during the country’s transition to a market economy. In 2014, the long-term unemployed represented 78.8 per cent of all participants in job-creation measures and 68.7 per cent of total beneficiaries of employment subsidies. With regard to women, the Government indicates that their share of total long-term unemployment has fallen from 51.2 per cent in 2012 to 45 per cent in 2014. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the impact of the active labour market measures adopted to promote employment, including information on the impact of the measures adopted to enhance the employability of the long-term unemployed. Please also indicate how active labour market measures are kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

Older workers. The Government indicates that, as the country’s population is ageing, the unemployed are becoming older. As of January 2013, the average age of unemployed persons was 41.1 years. The Committee notes that, at the end of 2014, older unemployed people (over 50 years of age) represented 30.8 per cent of total registered unemployment. Older unemployed persons are unemployed on average for 35.6 months. The Government describes various measures implemented to promote the employment of older persons, such as the Work Integration Programme, which includes the allocation of one-year employment subsidies to employers who hire persons over 50 years of age with low educational levels from East Slovenia. In addition, a total of 4,162 older workers benefited from vocational training programmes offered by private enterprises. The Government adds that in 2014 older workers represented a quarter of total participants in public work programmes. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the impact of the measures taken to facilitate the integration of older workers into the labour market.

Young people. The Government indicates that, due to the economic crisis, the demand for labour fell significantly, affecting young people lacking working experience. It provides information on the programmes implemented to enhance youth employment. In 2014, it was estimated that 70 per cent of young persons who have completed “on-the-job training” programmes were placed in a job within one year. The Government adds that a total of 68 public employment service advisers, who are specialized in employment services for youth, were made available. In 2013, the country joined the EU Youth Guarantee Programme. As a result of the implementation of this programme, the youth unemployment rate dropped from 21.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2014 to 18 per cent in the first quarter of 2015. The Government indicates that, on average, 39 per cent of young persons covered by the Youth Guarantee Programme and other active labour market measures find employment. The Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia observes that the measures adopted by the Government under the Youth Guarantee Programme are mostly short-term measures and do not specifically encourage long-term employment for young people. It also indicates that, on average, one in ten participants in youth employment measures retain their job for more than three months. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the impact of the measures taken in assisting young people to find and retain employment.

Education and training. The Committee notes that vocational training programmes are being offered by Inter-Enterprise Education Centres, as part of secondary education institutions. In 2014, some 42 per cent of the participants in these programmes were long-term unemployed. The Committee also notes the implementation of special vocational guidance and training programmes in Pokolpje, where the unemployment rates are higher than in the rest of the country. In recent years, the Public Employment Service has been adjusting the vocational counselling service offered to young people to youth lifestyles and means of communication. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the impact of the education and training measures taken with a view to promoting employment opportunities. Please also indicate how vocational training measures take into consideration the needs of different categories of workers, such as women, young people, older workers and persons with disabilities.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Government indicates that in 2014 representative organizations of workers and employers cooperated in the implementation of projects aimed at promoting employment opportunities and training, including a programme for the development of competencies in the paper industry. It adds that trade unions have been collaborating in the implementation of the Youth Guarantee Programme. In this regard, the Committee notes that an informal group comprised of different youth organizations and trade unions has been set up to monitor the implementation of the programme. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the consultations held with the social partners and other interested actors in the formulation of active employment policy measures, with an indication of how their support has been enlisted for the implementation of such measures.