Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Sint Maarten

The Committee notes with concern 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

Article 1 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes the Government’s report, which describes the activities of the Labour Affairs Agency. The Government indicates that the measures taken to establish and locate sufficient employment offices to serve employers and workers in the various districts came under the auspices of the Integrated Neighbourhood Development Program (INDP). A needs assessment was conducted in ten districts and, thereafter, community helpdesks (CHD) were established in three districts and a Public Service Centre was established in another district. The Committee notes that the Government’s intention to continue establishing more CHD in all districts is being hindered by a lack of financial resources. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the activities carried out by the Labour Affairs Agency and on the cooperation with the social partners in this regard (Articles 4 and 5). It also requests the Government to provide information on 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 the offices.

Article 8. Special arrangements for young people. The Government indicates that the Labour Affairs Agency works closely with the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture to address youth unemployment. The measures contained within the plans in order to reach out to this category of persons include the active use of social media platforms and Internet technologies. The Committee notes that the Labour Affairs Agency launched the “Employability through Training” project which focuses primarily on unemployed persons aged 18–25. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the programmes developed for young people within the framework of the employment and vocational guidance services.

Article 11. Cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies. The Government indicates that providing employment services is part of the Labour Affairs Agency’s core functions. It adds that the Labour Affairs Agency may refer jobseekers to private employment agencies when they have suitable employment vacancies. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the arrangements made to secure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies.