Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (Ratification: 1977)

1. With reference to its previous observation, the Committee took note of the information provided at the 79th Session of the Conference (June 1992) and the discussion at the Conference Committee. It also notes a communication dated 4 August 1992 from the Trade Union Federation of Bolivian Mineworkers (FSTMB) referring to massive layoffs by the Bolivian Mining Company (COMIBOL). The above union considers that the Government, by closing workplaces under pretext of restructuring public enterprises and in order to satisfy the demands of the World Bank and the IMF, is exacerbating unemployment. In its reply to these allegations, dated 2 March 1993, the Government indicates that COMIBOL is on the verge of bankruptcy and that, owing to the lack of financial resources and technology, it is impossible to maintain an enterprise which is running at a loss. It states that it is none the less seeking to preserve jobs, in particular by setting up joint venture enterprises under the 1990 Investment Act. The Government also states that only 321 workers had to leave the enterprise between January and September 1992.

2. The Committee notes that the Government representative informed the Conference Committee that a census had been conducted which would make it possible for the report to give the statistical data requested concerning the volume and distribution of labour, and the nature, extent and trends of unemployment and underemployment. The Committee also notes that the Workers' members stressed the need to formulate and apply an active employment policy, in consultation with the social partners, particularly at a time of recession and structural readjustment. The Workers' members concluded that, although investment growth is fundamental for the level of employment, investment must always be accompanied by the social dimension which only the Government can promote. The Employers' members considered that, in evaluating employment policy, factors such as monetary stabilization measures should be taken into account. They stressed the benefits of medium- and long-term measures, such as investment in vocational training.

3. The Committee notes with regret that the report due in 1992 has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied by the Government for examination by the Committee at its next meeting. It trusts that the report will contain, in addition to the statistics which the Government has undertaken to supply, full information in reply to its previous observation. The Committee asks the Government, in particular, to indicate the manner in which an active policy is pursued to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment (Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention), to supply the texts defining it, and to describe the procedures adopted to ensure that at both the planning and the implementation stage, the effects on employment of the measures adopted to promote economic development are taken into consideration (Article 2). The Committee also asks the Government to provide information on how it is endeavouring to consult representatives of all the persons affected by employment policy, including representatives of the rural and informal sectors, in order to take full account of their experience and views (Article 3). Lastly, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide information on the results obtained by the National Institute of Vocational Education and Training (INFOCAL) in improving coordination of vocational education and training policies with employment prospects, stating in particular the measures taken as a result of technical assistance or advice received in the context of ILO technical cooperation projects (Part V of the report form.