Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

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

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Following the 2010 observation, the Government provided in September 2011 a general review of the economic situation and labour market developments for the period June 2009 to May 2011. During the period considered, the Government’s objective was to overcome the drastic decline in economic growth as rapidly as possible and to set new impulses for a stable, dynamic recovery. Labour market employment opportunities were improved for young persons and the fiscal burden was lowered on companies and employees. The Committee notes that developments in the German labour market have been positive. The number of unemployed in the second quarter of 2010 was below the 3 million mark (April–June 2010: 2,919,100 persons were unemployed, and a further reduction was observed in the same period of 2011: 2,472,000 were in unemployment in April–June 2011 according to the data made available to the ILO). The Government stated that the decline in unemployment, which was reached before the global economic crisis started affecting the labour market in October 2008, was not exclusively the result of cyclic effects but due to the success of labour market reforms, such as the reform of the Federal Employment Agency. Under new legislation, it was possible to reduce structural unemployment and measures were taken to counteract the consolidation of long-term unemployment (since 2007, long-term unemployment has fallen by more than eight percentage points). The Government indicates that the reforms notably increased the matching efficiency of the labour market. Candidates find work more quickly and easily and thus spend less time looking for jobs. A further prerequisite for matched placement is that the people concerned should be appropriately qualified to satisfy job market requirements. People with insufficient qualifications have lower chances of finding work and are at greater risk of remaining unemployed. The Committee expressed in its 2010 observation its appreciation of the efforts in implementing under the Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88), measures to achieve the best possible organization of the employment market through the public employment service in an extremely difficult period. The Committee looks forward to receiving from the Government, in its next report on Convention No. 122, an assessment of the impact of its active labour market measures, in particular the actions taken to secure the supply of skilled labour and to monitor the labour market. It also invites the Government to provide information on the consultations held on the matters covered by the Convention with the social partners, including details of their contribution in the implementation of an active employment policy.

Long-term unemployment. The Government indicates that to combat long-term unemployment, people have to be given consistent, timely support. Support that is tailor-made to suit the individuals concerned allows them to rapidly find employment at living wages on the regular job market. The Committee notes that a draft law for improving the chances of integration into the labour market was passed in May 2011. Job centres with partners of the regional networks will be more involved in developing and targeting implementation of their own instruments to assist the long-term unemployed to find work. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information on the results achieved in terms of ensuring job opportunities for the long-term unemployed.

Youth unemployment. The Committee notes that in May 2011 some 258,000 young people between 15 and 25 years of age were unemployed ( 15.6 per cent compared with May 2010). The decline in youth unemployment compared with 2010 was more pronounced in western parts than in eastern parts of Germany. The Government indicates that, among other initiatives, a new proactive approach to improving job market opportunities for young people is initially tested in 20 regions for optimizing collaboration among the social security centres, the public employment offices and the youth welfare offices. The national pact for the training of a new generation of skilled workers was extended in October 2010 until 2014 including representatives of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs as well as the federal authority responsible for integration. The Committee invites the Government to include detailed information in its next report on the results obtained in terms of ensuring lasting employment for young persons who enter the labour market, as well as on the efforts made to provide appropriate skills to young persons within the implementation of the programmes adopted.