Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Nicaragua (Ratification: 1981)

1. Further to its observation, the Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending June 1996 and the information replying in part to its previous request. It notes, however, that it does not include the statistical information required by the report form on the situation, level and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment. Please supply available data on these points in the next report, as required by the report form adopted by the Governing Body, including, to the extent possible, on the informal sector.

2. The Committee notes that the establishment of multinational enterprises in the free zones has enabled jobs to be created. It draws the Government's attention to the principles set out in paragraph 12 of Recommendation No. 169, and asks it to provide the information required in this respect.

3. The Committee notes that the other information concerning investment policy, monetary and budgetary policy, trade policy and prices and incomes policy do not indicate how the decisions taken and the results obtained in all these areas contribute effectively to promoting employment. It asks the Government to assess how the main objectives pursued by its economic policy can contribute to promoting full, productive and freely chosen employment, as a major goal and within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention). Please indicate in particular how the implementation of structural adjustment programmes and privatization measures takes account of their effects on employment, stating whether measures are envisaged to encourage the redeployment of affected workers.

4. The Committee notes the support programmes for the population groups most affected by unemployment and underemployment, and the projects to promote rural employment. Please indicate the results of the implementation of these programmes.

5. The Committee notes with interest the training for self-employment activities carried out by the National Technology Institute (INATEC), and the Institute's efforts to coordinate training with the manpower requirements of employers. Please provide all the specific information available on the results obtained in this respect.

6. Article 3. The Committee notes that employers' and workers' representatives are associated with the definition of vocational training policies. With reference to the comments it has been making on this matter for several years, it hopes that the Government will be able to provide information in its next report on other initiatives to facilitate the consultation of representatives of the persons affected on the various aspects of employment policy. The Committee recalls in this connection that the representatives of persons employed in the rural and informal sectors should be associated with the consultations required by this provision.

7. Parts V and VI of the report form. The Committee notes that the Government received ILO technical assistance in conducting the fourth employment survey. Please continue to provide information on the assistance and advice received, and the action taken as a result of it. Furthermore, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide, as in the past, extracts of all reports, studies or surveys concerning employment and employment policy.