Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Lebanon (Ratification: 1977)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s very brief report.

1. Article 1 of the Convention. The Government states that the dire economic situation has prevented it from implementing the structural component of the National Employment Strategy. The Government is currently looking for donors. However, it has created a new structure for technical and vocational education, to enable students to move more easily between these and other forms of education. The Government also has established a High Council for Technical and Vocational Education in 2000, which is to formulate policies to ensure a balance between supply and demand for skills. It has set up a vocational guidance database aimed primarily at early school leavers. The Committee would appreciate further information on the impact of these programmes on employment promotion.

2. The Committee asks the Government to provide full information on the situation, level and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, both in the aggregate and as they affect particular categories of workers such as women, young persons, older workers and disabled workers, as requested in the report form under Article 1.

3. Article 2. Please provide full information on measures taken to collect and analyse statistical and other data on trends in the labour force, as a basis for formulating and evaluating employment policies. Please also provide further information on how employment policies and programmes are kept under review, including particular examples.

4. Article 3. The Committee notes that the Council of the National Employment Agency, the High Council for Technical and Vocational Education, and the Economic and Social Council all include representatives of employers and workers. Please indicate how the views of these bodies are taken into account in formulating and evaluating employment policies and programmes. Please also indicate whether representatives of other groups affected, such as rural or informal sector workers, are represented.

5. Part V of the report form. The Committee notes from information supplied by the multidisciplinary team in Beirut that the Government, in cooperation with the ILO and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), has conducted a survey on employment of university graduates. The results are to be discussed in a national workshop. A survey was also carried out with ILO assistance on the employment and training needs of the population in south Lebanon. The ILO also has provided Lebanon with technical advice on enhancing the public employment offices and developing a labour market information service. Please provide further information on the results of these surveys and any follow-up action taken.