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

Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Suriname (Ratification: 1976)

Article 1(2) of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in September 2014 indicating that a new labour market information system was set up with an Inter-American Development Bank grant and ILO assistance. The Government indicates that the Labour Exchange Unit has been providing training modules since 2009 in social skills, and rights and obligations for employees. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government regarding the other training courses offered, such as training provided to welders for a refinery expansion project. The Committee invites the Government to provide detailed information on the activities carried out by the employment service and the manner in which it ensures “the best possible organisation of the employment market as an integral part of the national programme for the achievement and maintenance of full employment and the development and use of productive resources”. Please also provide information available in published annual or periodical reports 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 the social partners. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the cooperation of representatives of employers and workers in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy.

Article 6(b). Activities of the employment service. The Committee invites once again the Government to provide details on the measures that have been taken by the employment service to encourage the professional or geographic mobility of workers, and to facilitate movement of migrant workers, including statistical data indicating the number of workers dealt with, particularly migrant workers.

Article 7. Measures for particular categories of applicants for employment. The Government states that the Labour Exchange Unit launched a community project in 2013 using information from the General Statistics Bureau and started registration in the poorest neighbourhoods. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken by the Labour Exchange Unit to meet the needs of particular categories of applicants for employment, such as persons with disabilities.

Article 8. Special arrangements for young workers. The Government indicates that a special project was launched, funded by the Government of the United States, (PADF project), on youth development and juvenile justice in Suriname. The target group included young people who have been in conflict with the law, youth at special risk and school drop-outs. Young people registered with the Labour Exchange Unit who fell within the target group also participated. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the activities of the Labour Exchange Unit in relation to youth employment and to give particulars of the number of young people participating in the training and retraining programmes.

Article 9. Staff of the employment service. The Government indicates that the Labour Exchange Unit started a capacity-strengthening course for its own personnel. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the training of staff of the employment service.