Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Ecuador (Ratification: 1972)

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s brief report, received in September 2002, in which it refers to a new economic and exchange rate structure based on the dollar, with priority being given to the reduction of public expenditure. In 2001, the Ecuadorian economy experienced a strong recovery with the construction, trade and manufacturing industry sectors showing greatest improvement. The average annual unemployment rate fell from 14.4 per cent to 10.4 per cent in the three most important cities of the country, Guayaquil, Quito and Cuenca. A high emigration rate was also reported (between 1998 and 2000, some 230,000 persons are reported to have left the country). The construction of a new oil pipeline, which is expected to be completed in 2003, could also have an important impact on oil exports. The Committee refers to its previous comments, in which it indicated that in order to achieve the objectives of full and productive employment, as set out in the Convention, government policies should give priority to promoting employment and social development with a view to combating poverty. In this respect, the Committee asks the Government to provide in its next report more detailed information on the manner in which the objectives of the employment policy have been related to other economic and social objectives.

2. The Committee recalls that a compilation and analysis of statistical data must provide the basis for the adoption of employment policy measures. The Committee reiterates its request for information on the situation, level and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment throughout the country and the extent to which they affect the most vulnerable categories of workers (such as women, young persons and rural workers), who tend to be those who encounter the greatest difficulties in finding lasting employment.

3. Article 3. The Government refers in its report to project ECU-004, of 1997, which appears not to have achieved concrete results in promoting tripartite social dialogue. It also refers to the consultations held with regard to the fixing of minimum wages. The Committee recalls that the consultations required by the Convention must cover the employment policy measures to be adopted with a view to taking fully into account the experience and views of the persons consulted and securing their full cooperation in formulating and enlisting the support that is necessary for their implementation. Consultations with the representatives of the persons affected should include, in particular, representatives of employers and workers, as well as representatives of other sectors of the economically active population, such as those working in the rural sector and the informal sector. The Committee trusts that the Government will include in its next report the information requested in the report form under Article 3 of the Convention on the consultations required for employment policy.

4. Part V of the report form. The Committee requests that the Government provide information in its next report on the action taken as a result of the ILO’s technical assistance in the field of employment policy.