Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Barbados (Ratification: 1976)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes the documentation provided by the Government in reply to its previous request. The labour market data provided by the Government show a worrying deterioration in the employment situation since the beginning of the decade. The economic recession was accompanied by a fall in total employment of over 5 per cent between September 1991 and September 1993, with a large rise in unemployment, the rate of which increased from 18 per cent to 25.3 per cent. According to the most recent data, the recovery is estimated to have resulted in a stabilization since then in the unemployment rate at around 22 per cent. The Committee notes that the employment prospects of young persons are particularly difficult. It requests the Government to continue supplying the most detailed information possible on the situation and trends in employment, underemployment and unemployment. The Committee recalls in this respect that it requested information on the progress achieved in the compilation and analysis of the appropriate statistical data as a result of the introduction of the new labour market information system (LMIS). Furthermore, it has been informed of a request for assistance from the ILO to improve this system. Please provide full information on any new measure that has been taken to obtain the necessary data for the formulation and evaluation of the employment policy.

2. The Committee notes the principal components of the Sectoral Plan 1993-2000 in terms of employment. It would be grateful if the Government would indicate the manner in which the principal overall and sectoral development policies contribute to the pursuance of employment objectives. Please supply detailed information on this matter in response to the questions in the report form.

3. The Committee notes the information concerning the programme to promote the employment of young persons by encouraging them to take up self-employment. Please provide any available evaluation on the results achieved through this programme. Please indicate whether special measures have been adopted or are envisaged to promote the employment of women, taking into account the provisions of Convention No. 111 and the Committee's comments on its application. Please also continue to supply information on the measures which have been taken or are envisaged to achieve better coordination between education and training and employment prospects.

4. The Committee notes the conclusion with the social partners of a Prices and Incomes Protocol. It would be grateful if the Government would supply information on the manner in which, more generally, the representatives of the persons affected, and in particular the representatives of employers and workers, are consulted with regard to employment policies "with a view to taking fully into account their experience and views and securing their full cooperation in formulating and enlisting support for such policies", in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention. Please indicate whether formal consultation procedures have been established for this purpose.

5. Please indicate the action taken as a result of ILO missions and technical cooperation projects in the field of employment (Part V of the report form).

6. The Committee would welcome, as well as statistics, a brief summary of the Government's approach, indicating progress made or difficulties encountered.