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

Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Iran (Islamic Republic of) (Ratification: 2007)

The Committee notes the observations made in June 2014 by the Confederation of Iranian Workers’ Representatives (CIWR) concerning the establishment of the master-apprentice instruction, and the reply provided by the Government in November 2014. The CIWR express its concern about the situation of the apprentices under that instruction in so far as remuneration and employment relationship were concerned. The Government explains that the said instruction was adopted for skill acquisition promotion and in compliance with the fact that the apprentice is a person who is economically and legally independent of the master and consequently may not be considered as a worker. It further indicates that only 2 per cent of the total number of apprentices of the Technical and Vocational Training Organization (TVTO) are concerned with that instruction (about 39,000 individuals). The Committee further notes that the plan was established to develop teaching traditional, local and/or endangered professions and occupations in the remote and underserved parts of the country. The Committee invites the Government to indicate how the master-apprentice instruction has enabled its beneficiaries to develop and use their capabilities for work in their own best interests and in accordance with their own aspirations (Article 1(5) of the Convention).

Article 1(1)–(4) of the Convention. Policies and programmes. In reply to the previous request, the Government refers to the measures implemented in the field of human resources such as the Skill and Technology Training System initiated in October 2011 and the Vocational Competency System initiated in October 2012; the design of the Employment Qualification System; the compilation of the Code of Practice for developing and organizing educational and training sources; and the establishment of councils for monitoring, assessing and expand training for curriculum planning and for research. The Committee invites the Government to continue to report on the policies and programmes on vocational guidance and vocational training developed by the Technical and Vocational Training Organization (TVTO), clarifying in what manner account has been taken of the factors provided in the Convention. The Committee also invites the Government to include information on the manner in which the policies and programmes implemented by the TVTO and other agencies are linked with employment and the public employment services. Please provide extracts of reports, studies and inquiries, and statistical data regarding training policies and programmes relating to particular areas or branches of economic activity and to specific groups of the population indicated below (Part VI of the report form).

Article 1(5). Coverage by the vocational training system of specific categories of persons. Women. The Government indicates that, since 2011, 21,718 women have found sustainable employment after taking part in job consultations sessions. The Committee also notes that, according to the information provided by the Government, in 2011 the proportion of women in training had reached 51.43 per cent for primary training, 52.5 per cent for secondary training, and 47 per cent for intermediate training. During the 2011–12 period, female students amounted to 57.3 per cent of the total student population in State universities and higher education centres. The Committee takes note of the training courses provided by the TVTO for different categories of women users, namely heads of households, low income women, and prison inmates. The Committee refers to its comments pursuant to the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111), and invites the Government to continue to provide updated data on the number of women obtaining lasting employment following their participation in vocational guidance and training programmes. The Committee also invites the Government to provide information on the measures taken to promote equal opportunities for women in education, training and lifelong learning.

Youth. The Committee notes the increased share of pupils studying in the technical and vocational branches, from 36.96 to 41.27 per cent (between 2010–11 and 2011–12). Moreover, the Government indicates that, in 2012, 69 per cent of the trainees from TVTO’s free training centres were aged between 15 and 30. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures adopted to ensure access to education and training for young persons.

Migrant workers. The Committee notes the conclusion in 2011 of an agreement between the Ministry of Interior, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the TVTO. The Government indicates that pursuant to that agreement technical and vocational training was provided in 14 provinces, thereby benefiting 5,321 people in 2011, 3,241 in 2012, and 25,401 in 2013. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to facilitate access to education and training for migrant workers.

Religious minorities. The Government indicates that formal and informal training as well as education is provided regardless of religious beliefs. The Committee invites the Government to specify the measures taken to promote access to education and training for religious minorities, in particular the Baha’i, as well as their impact.

Ethnic minority groups. The Government indicates that, in the provinces with ethnic minorities, 43 per cent of the students in secondary schools are studying in the technical and vocational branches. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of the measures taken to promote access to education and training for ethnic minority groups present in the country, as well as their impact.

Other categories of people with nationally identified needs (Paragraph 5(h) of Recommendation No. 195). The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government on the training courses provided in 2012 to rehabilitated addicts, prison inmates, and workers. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the measures taken to promote access to education and training for older workers, workers in small and medium-sized enterprises, in the informal economy, in the rural sector and in self-employment.

Article 3. Extension of the vocational guidance system. The Committee invites the Government to submit information on any extension of its vocational guidance system undertaken during the period covered by its next report.

Article 4. Lifelong training. The Government indicates that 13 permits have been granted to training centres located beside or inside workplaces; the TVTO has concluded memorandums of understanding with private enterprises, as well as craftsmen’s associations and cooperatives, for the purposes of technical and vocational training. The Committee invites the Government to indicate whether training courses covering fields of the economic activity which were previously outside the vocational training system’s scope have been planned.

Article 5. Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Government indicates that the TVTO has cooperated with approximately 1,400 different entities. The Committee notes the areas of cooperation between the TVTO and the Confederation of Workers’ Guild as well as the Higher Assembly of Workers’ Representatives, respectively in 2012 and 2013. The Committee invites the Government to provide further information on the cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations and other interested bodies in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes.