Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Aruba

Article 1 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2011. The Government indicates that the programme Nos Aruba 2025 was completed in November 2009 and delivered in February 2010 as part of the National Integrated Strategic Plan (NISP) with the main goal of developing a sustainable Aruba for the benefit of all people. With regards to labour challenges faced by the country, the Government reveals a gender pay gap as the primarily service-oriented economy favours male workers. It also recognizes that education must play a vital role in the progress and prosperity of the nation. Due to low success rates in employment placement for jobseekers, the Government has begun an investigation to determine the underlying reasons behind the poor placement rates and pledges to communicate the results found in its next report. Considering the low labour market participation rate, it has introduced a new business turnover tax (BBO) and eliminated the income tax for minimum wage workers in an effort to encourage persons to enter the labour market rather than to settle for government assistance. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on progress made with regard to the adoption of a national policy for full employment within the meaning of Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. It also invites the Government to include information on the active labour market measures implemented as part of the National Integrated Strategic Plan designed to achieve the objectives of the Convention.

Participation of social partners in the formulation and implementation of policies. The Committee notes that the population participated in the elaboration of the project Nos Aruba 2025. The Committee recalls that the representatives of employers and workers must be consulted concerning employment policies. The Committee asks the Government to provide in its next report additional information on the participation of social partners in formulating and implementing employment policies.