Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

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

In its 2014 comments, noting the observations made in June 2014 by the Confederation of Iranian Workers’ Representatives (CIWR), expressing concerns regarding the master–apprentice instruction, the Committee requested the Government to provide further information with respect to the instruction. In response, the Government indicates that after being challenged by the CIWR, the master–apprentice instruction was set aside in 2017 and replaced with an “executive instruction on Learning Skills in the Real Work Environment” (the 2017 executive instruction) which was approved by the Supreme Council of Employment in 2017 and notified by the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare for implementation. The Government indicates that the advantages of the 2017 executive instruction include on-the-job training to enter into employment or entrepreneurship, maintaining traditional and local jobs, particularly in handicrafts, assisting enterprises to recruit a competent workforce, and reducing recruitment costs of unskilled workers. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the 2017 executive instruction and also to provide information on the impact of the 2017 executive instruction and on the manner in which it ensures that beneficiaries of the programme can 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. Vocational education and training policies and programmes. The Committee welcomes the information provided by the Government indicating that, according to the human development index ratings from 2011 to 2015, the Islamic Republic of Iran has experienced a positive trend in terms of the total number of years of schooling (school life expectancy) and average number of years of education. In response to the Committee’s 2014 comments, the Government reports that, in 2017, the Islamic Parliament of Iran adopted the Law on a comprehensive system of technical, vocational and skills training aimed at enhancing training of the workforce. The Committee welcomes the Government’s commitment to skills-based training and notes that the 2017 Law establishes a national system of technical, vocational and skill training as well as a framework of professional competences. The Government indicates that, according to data from the Technical and Vocational Training Organization (TVTO), in 2017, 962,612 persons took part in TVTO courses. It adds that the TVTO has tracked some of the trainees on a random basis in order to assess the efficacy of the training proposed, based on which 165,221 persons were employed. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the nature and impact of programmes that seek to implement the Law on a comprehensive system of technical, vocational and skills training. The Committee further requests the Government to provide 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. The Committee requests the Government to provide extracts of reports, studies and inquiries, and to provide up-to-date, disaggregated statistical data regarding the number of training policies and programmes relating to particular areas or branches of economic activity and to specific groups of the population, as well as the numbers of beneficiaries (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 equal opportunities for women are guaranteed in the Islamic Republic of Iran through the Charter on Women’s Rights and Responsibilities, as well as through the policies on the promotion of women’s participation in higher education approved in 2015. The Government further indicates that, in 2017, 13,099 women secured employment as a result of vocational guidance provided by the TVTO. The Committee notes that the share of women’s participation in all TVTO programmes in 2017 was 48.9 per cent. The Government further indicates that during the 2015–16 academic year, the proportion of women in education amounted to 48 per cent in primary education, 39 per cent in adult education and 36 per cent in secondary technical and vocational education. In 2017, female students represented 45.9 per cent of all students in higher education, including 50.5 per cent at the bachelor level, 46.3 per cent at the masters level and 42.2 per cent at the doctoral level. The Committee also notes that, with regard to training centres focused on women, in 2017 the TVTO issued licences to 126 training centres in the public sector, 226 centres adjacent to factories and 9,798 private technical and vocational schools. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed, up-to-date information, disaggregated by age and sex, on the number of men and women benefiting from participation in vocational guidance and training programmes, as well as the impact of such programmes on their access to lasting employment.

Youth. The Government indicates that in 2017, 718,123 persons aged between 15 and 30 years old completed technical and vocational training, representing a significant increase in comparison to 2012. The Government further indicates that, to facilitate access to technical and vocational education and training for young persons, in 2017, 55,162 young conscripts and draftees received such training at military bases, while 42,557 persons received training at centres adjacent to universities. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which it ensures access to vocational training and education for young women and men across all economic sectors. The Committee further requests the Government to provide detailed updated information, disaggregated by age and sex, on the types of training programmes available and the number of beneficiaries, as well as the impact of such training on young persons’ access to employment.

Migrant workers. The Government indicates that, between 2011 and 2017, 17,975 migrant workers received technical and vocational training in the framework of the joint agreement in place between the TVTO and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Committee notes that training was primarily provided in sectors such as electricity, construction, auto mechanics, welding, carpet-weaving, general accounting, information technology (IT) and sewing. The Government indicates that, pursuant to a decree issued by the Supreme Leader, 102,000 children of undocumented migrants were enrolled in schools, whereas facilities were provided for the education of 450,000 migrant children. The Committee requests the Government to provide up-to-date information, disaggregated by sex and age, on the nature and impact of vocational guidance, education and training provided to migrant workers and their children.

Religious minorities. The Government indicates that educational activities, as well as training conducted by the TVTO in the public and private sectors are provided to all regardless of religion. The Government further indicates that there are 93 schools for religious minorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and that, since 2016, religious minorities are also entitled to establish private schools. Furthermore, to foster minority culture, higher education programmes now include courses such as a bachelor’s level degree in Armenian language and literature. Noting the lack of information provided by the Government with regard to vocational training, the Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide information on the manner in which it ensures access to vocational education and training for religious minorities, in particular the Baha’i.

Ethnic minority groups. The Government indicates that, in 2014, persons from ethnic minority groups, specifically Azari, Kurd, Lor, Arab, Turkmen and Balooch, made up some 33 per cent of all candidates admitted to universities nationwide. Furthermore, 843 higher education centres (31.2 per cent of all centres in the Islamic Republic of Iran) are based in the provinces where ethnic minorities reside. The Committee notes that, pursuant to article 77 of the Charter on Citizens, members of ethnic minority groups are guaranteed the right to freely select and engage in the work of their choosing. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated detailed information, including disaggregated statistical data, on the nature and impact of 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 the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195 )). The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the TVTO courses offered in 2017, including training for prison inmates, training for disadvantaged groups and training in rural, tribal, disadvantaged and border regions. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed updated information on the measures taken to ensure equal access to vocational guidance, education and training for workers with nationally identified needs, including older workers, workers in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, those in the informal economy and rural areas, and those in self-employment.

Article 3. Extension of the vocational guidance system. In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that vocational guidance and e-learning courses are now provided through the TVTO website, which also offers services such as psychology and occupational aptitude tests. Moreover, vocational guidance and classroom training provided by TVTO training centres have been extended to include guidance on starting a business, information on job market and vocational prospects, guidance on choosing the right occupation, and visits to training workshops. In 2017, 78,875 persons took part in vocational guidance and training programmes on sustainable employment, out of which 44 per cent found sustainable employment. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to expand the national vocational guidance system. The Committee further requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the new vocational guidance and e-learning courses provided through the TVTO website on the beneficiaries of such courses.

Article 4. Lifelong learning. The Government indicates that technical and vocational courses offered by the TVTO include modern and renewable energy technology, environmental technology, health technology, Iranian medicine, tourism, water management and entrepreneurial skill training. The Committee further notes that, in 2017, 13,050 persons participated in 11 training courses related to entrepreneurship in different areas. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which it ensures that the vocational training system caters for the needs of both young persons and adults with regard to lifelong learning, in all sectors of the economy and at all levels of skill and responsibility.

Article 5. Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Government indicates that, pursuant to a joint plan in place between the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare and workers’ organizations, workers’ organizations in cities and provinces notify the TVTO of the training needs of individuals which then forms the basis for designing and delivering appropriate vocational education and training courses. The Committee notes that the Supreme Council of Employment, which approved the 2017 executive instruction is tripartite, including two employers’ and two workers’ representatives. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures developed within the framework of the joint plan between the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare and workers’ organizations and the extent to which the social partners were involved in their implementation. The Committee further requests the Government to continue to provide updated detailed 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.