Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Cuba (Ratification: 1971)

1. The Committee took note of the Government's report for the period ending June 1996. The Government recalls that the circumstances prevailing in the country since the beginning of the decade have had a negative effect on employment. Among the measures adopted to face the labour market difficulties, it refers in particular to the reintegration of the economy into world markets by means of establishing joint ventures or economic associations, developing activities to generate short-term income (tourism, biotechnologies, pharmaceutical industry, food products), and authorizing basic units of cooperative agricultural production and self-employment. The Committee also notes the main investment, productivity and wages goals of the 1996 Plan. It would be grateful if the Government would specify in its next report to what extent these aims have been achieved and what effect they have had on labour market operation.

2. The Committee recalls that in its previous observation, it noted the measures taken to meet the needs of workers made redundant as a result of structural changes, as well as measures to support self-employment. It would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the development of self-employment. It also invites the Government to provide any assessment available of the effect on productive activities of the application of Act No. 73 of 1994 relating to the tax system.

3. The Committee notes the adoption of Act No. 77 of 1995 relating to foreign investments which includes provisions governing labour, free zones and industrial parks. It requests the Government to provide, in its next report, information on the contribution made by foreign investments to the pursuit of the employment aims of the Convention. In addition, the Committee recalls that under Article 1, paragraph 2(c), of the Convention, an active employment policy shall aim to ensure "that there is freedom of choice of employment and the fullest possible opportunity for each worker to qualify for a job for which he is well suited". It feels that it is necessary to emphasize the contribution which must be made by the policy of promoting full, productive and freely chosen employment respecting this essential requirement, which is also enshrined in other Conventions on the fundamental human rights at work (Conventions Nos. 29, 105 and 111). In this respect, the Committee invites the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the way in which education and training policies are coordinated with employment prospects.