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

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

1. The Committee notes the Government’s report, received in November 2000, in which reference is made to the legal framework in which the Ministry of Labour operates, the measures taken regarding micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, investment promotion and other measures related to vocational training. The Committee notes that the unemployment rate fell in 2000 (from 10.7 to 9.8 per cent) though the underemployment rate (12.1 per cent) increased considerably. Most of the jobs created were in the agricultural, construction, commerce and social service sectors. In December 2000, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund decided to support a comprehensive debt reduction package for Nicaragua as part of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. As part of the package, the Government is to finalize and implement a wholly participatory poverty reduction strategy including measures to promote human development and social protection and expand access to primary education and health care. The Committee trusts that the Government will continue to give priority to the objectives of full employment in its plans and programmes and will include in its next report information on the extent to which the employment objectives set in the poverty reduction strategy have been attained (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention).

2. The Committee reiterates, as it has done for many years, its request to the Government to include in its next report the information required in the report form on consultation of the representatives of the persons affected concerning the various aspects of employment policy, and particularly on any consultations held with representatives of those working in the rural sector and the informal sector (Article 3).

The Committee raises other aspects of the application of the Convention in a request addressed directly to the Government.