Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Guatemala (Ratification: 1988)

The Committee refers to its observation and would be grateful if the Government would also provide information in its next report on the following matters.

1. The Committee notes that, by virtue of Government Agreement No. 242-2003 of 20 April 2003, the General Directorate of Vocational Training (responsible for formulating human resources and vocational training policies) and the General Directorate of Employment (responsible for formulating the national employment policy) have been established. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the active employment policy measures which have been formulated and implemented. In particular, the Committee trusts that the Government will be able to demonstrate that employment is a central concern of macroeconomic and social policy in the formulation and implementation of the national poverty reduction strategy. The Committee considers it essential that employment objectives are taken into account "as a major goal" from the outset of discussions for the formulation of economic and social policy if these objectives are truly to be an integral part of the policies that are adopted (paragraph 490 of the General Survey of 2004 on promoting employment).

2. The Committee notes with interest that arrangements have been made with the Ministry of Economy and the National Statistical Institute for the production of national quarterly employment and income surveys and that the use of statistical data, analysis and research into social problems is being encouraged. In this regard, the Committee hopes that the Government will continue to provide statistics and evaluations in its report which make it possible to examine the manner in which the promotion of employment is considered as an essential objective of all the available macroeconomic policy measures, and particularly monetary, budgetary, trade and development policies (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention).

3. Please continue providing information on the progress achieved in relation to the certification of vocational skills and describe the extent to which educational and training policy objectives are coordinated with employment opportunities.

4. The Government states in its report that the industrialization deriving from export processing is intended to develop competitive elements in the various areas of international trade, such as the United States and Central America Free Trade Agreement. The Government also refers to the migration of agricultural workers to Belize for the sugar cane harvest and the temporary migration programme, established in collaboration with the Government of Canada and the International Organization for Migration, for the harvesting of fruit and vegetables on Canadian farms. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide information on the manner in which employment policy measures are adjusted to the changes occurring in trade policy. Please also continue providing information on the impact on the local labour market of temporary or permanent international movements of migrant workers.