Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Costa Rica (Ratification: 1966)

Article 1 of the Convention. Coordinating education and training policy with employment opportunities. The Government indicates that impact assessments of the training plans and programmes are among the follow-up activities conducted by the National Training Institute (INA) in relation to the youth placement process. While it is estimated that between 55 and 60 per cent of persons entering such programmes are not working at the time of their entry, 40 per cent of them enter the labour market upon their completion. The Government indicates that the Ministry of Labour, the INA and the Costa Rican Federation of Chambers and Associations of Private Enterprise (UCCAEP) have held discussions to promote dual training. The Committee notes that a bill regulating dual vocational education and training has been introduced in the Legislative Assembly and is currently being examined in the Special Standing Committee on Science, Technology and Education. The Committee invites the Government to submit updated information so that it can assess the manner in which the beneficiaries of the INA’s activities have found lasting employment. Please also provide information on the impact of measures taken to promote dual education.

Article 2. Labour market trends. Please continue providing updated statistical information on the size and distribution of the labour force, the nature and extent of unemployment which is a crucial phase in the implementation of an active employment policy.

Youth employment. The Government indicates that the labour market participation of the employed population aged 15–24 and 25–34 increased. With the entry of 55,358 young persons to the labour market, these groups increased from representing, respectively, 15.8 and 26.8 per cent of the employed population in the last quarter of 2012, to 16.5 and 27.8 per cent for the same period in 2013. The Committee notes the indication in the National Employment and Production Strategy that the unemployment rate is considerably higher for the youngest persons (aged 15–24) than for other groups. The strategy’s priorities include combating youth unemployment and strengthening the Empléate programme mentioned in previous comments. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government regarding the number of graduates and holders of diplomas who have benefited from the Empléate programme. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information so that it can determine whether the young beneficiaries of the Empléate programme have entered and remained on the labour market. Please also provide information on other measures taken to promote youth employment.

Women’s employment. The Government indicates that in January 2013, the INA adopted the gender equality policy focusing on, inter alia, equal conditions for women and men with respect to employment opportunities and entrepreneurial initiatives. The Committee notes the other steps taken by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to develop a municipal gender-sensitive employment service model, as well as its role in the drafting of the national technical standard INTE 38-01-01:2013 “Gender Equality and Equity Management System (SIGIEG)”. The Committee invites the Government to indicate the manner in which these new measures have helped to increase women’s participation in the labour market.

Micro-enterprises and cooperatives. Informal economy. The Government indicates that it still does not have an impact study, given that monitoring and follow-up by the National Micro-enterprise Support Programme (PRONAMYPE) began in 2013. The sectors that have most benefited from the provision of loans have been agriculture and commerce (receiving 56 and 44 per cent, respectively, of the loans granted). With respect to the activities of the National Cooperative Development Institute (INFOCOOP), the Government indicates that, in 2012, cooperatives generated 21,632 direct jobs. Moreover, INFOCOOP’s 2013 annual management report identified 19 new undertakings, which generated 611 new positions. The Committee invites the Government to continue reporting on the manner in which the initiatives for micro-enterprises and cooperatives have had an impact on job creation and the improvement of the working conditions of persons working in the informal economy.

Export processing zones. The Committee notes the updated information in the Government’s report provided by the Costa Rican Coalition of Development Initiatives. Between 2010 and 2013, on average 7,635 new jobs were created per year, representing 14 per cent of the jobs created in the formal economy for that period. It is estimated that enterprises in export processing zones currently employ more than 80,000 persons. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing updated information on the contribution made by export processing zones to the creation of lasting and quality employment.