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

Labour Administration Convention, 1978 (No. 150) - Costa Rica (Ratification: 1984)

The Committee notes the observations from the Costa Rican Federation of Chambers and Associations of Private Enterprise (UCCAEP), which were received on 7 August 2014 and were supported by the International Organisation of Employers (IOE).

Articles 5(1), 6(1) and (2)(a) of the Convention. Formulation of national employment policy and functioning of bipartite and tripartite bodies. In relation to its previous comments on the functioning of the Higher Labour Council, the Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that this Council approved the plan for the implementation of the Decent Work Programme (2013–17). The Programme establishes four priority areas for action, namely: (i) promoting effective compliance with the labour legislation and international labour standards; (ii) establishing a decent work and employment policy, with a view to creating greater opportunities for decent work and promoting the elimination of obstacles to the integration of certain vulnerable groups in the labour market; (iii) extending and reinforcing social protection; and (iv) strengthening bipartite and tripartite dialogue. The Committee notes with interest that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in May 2012 by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, the representative of the employers, the representatives of the workers, and the director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Country Office for Central America, Haiti, Panama and the Dominican Republic, for the purposes of implementing the Decent Work Programme. In the MoU, it was agreed to take action, inter alia, to: (a) strengthen labour inspection and administration services with ILO technical assistance, modernize and update them, and build their capacities for management, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of strategic plans from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MTSS) and to establish a system of information so that it is made accessible to all parties concerned; (b) move forward the approved Bill concerning the reform of labour procedures; (c) formulate and implement, on a tripartite basis, a technical proposal for a national employment plan; (d) promote better technical and vocational training for young persons; (e) boost the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and reduce informality; (f) foster a minimum wage protection policy; and (g) strengthen the capacities of the Occupational Health Board. The Committee notes that the UCCAEP and the IOE state that discussion and adoption of an effective employment policy remain pending as part of the Higher Labour Council’s agenda for this period. The Committee asks the Government to send information on the results achieved with regard to implementation of the Decent Work Programme (2013–17) and its impact on the labour administration system and its functioning. The Committee further asks the Government to provide information on any developments regarding the adoption of the Bill concerning the reform of labour procedures, which, as indicated in the text of the Decent Work Programme, was approved in the Legislative Assembly but was vetoed by the President’s Office. As regards the formulation and adoption of employment policy, the Committee requests the Government to refer to its 2013 comments relating to the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122).

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the pilot plan for strengthening the labour administration system, implemented in the province of Cartago. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the impact of the implementation of this plan on local labour administration functions and to state whether any other pilot plan with similar objectives is planned or in progress in other provinces.