Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Belize (Ratification: 1983)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Government indicates that in March 2008 the national coordinator responsible for the public employment service was replaced by a senior labour officer. It also reports on the development of an employment service procedure manual which will serve as a guide for the Employment Units of the Labour Department in providing improved services to jobseekers. In 2009, approximately 903 jobseekers and 1,067 companies were registered with the employment agencies, 366 vacancies were registered and 272 were filled. The Government further reports that the employment service has developed relationships with local organizations such as Youth for the Future, Conscious Youth Development Programme, and the Women’s Department so as to provide additional access to training for jobseekers. In its 2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments, the Committee indicated that the public and private employment services both contribute to the optimal functioning of the labour market and to the realization of the right to work. The Committee invites the Government to provide more specific information on the activities performed by the public employment service to ensure effective recruitment and placement of workers. Please also continue to provide statistical information concerning the number of public employment offices established, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified, and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices (Part IV of the report form).

Articles 4 and 5. Participation of social partners. The Government indicates that the Labour Advisory Board does not play an active role in the organization and operation of the employment service. However, it further indicates that one of the tasks to be accomplished by the Board is to draft and recommend an employment service policy. The Committee recalled in its 2010 General Survey, in paragraphs 208–209, that the public services’ direct and constant interaction with employers and jobseekers in the job market is essential for the effective implementation of employment policies. It further recalled that the social partners are an additional source of information for the Government when formulating employment policies. Their involvement instils a sense of ownership, which is necessary for the effective implementation of employment policies. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the involvement of the social partners in the organization and operation of the employment service through the Labour Advisory Board.

Article 6(b)(iv). Facilitating the movement of workers to other countries. The Government indicates that the Employment Unit of the Labour Department liaised with a Canadian company located in Alberta in 2007 with the intention of recruiting 100 Belizean workers for a period of two years. In this regard, 23 applicants left for Canada in 2008. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken by the public employment service to facilitate the movement of workers to other countries.

Articles 7 and 8. Special arrangements for young persons and people with disabilities. The Government states in its report that young persons, unskilled and uneducated jobseekers are considered part of the vulnerable categories of applicants. Young jobseekers are referred to the Youth for the Future and the Conscious Youth Development Programme for assistance. The Government further indicates that the Employment Unit does not cater to the needs of persons with disabilities as employment services are provided by other organizations, such as the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired and the Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities. These organizations provide training to persons with disabilities and assist them in finding employment. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information of the measures taken for young persons within the framework of the employment and vocational guidance services. Please also provide further information on the measures taken to ensure that employment needs of persons with disabilities seeking employment in the open labour market are met.