Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Serbia (Ratification: 2000)

Formulation and implementation of an active employment policy. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes the Government’s comprehensive report for the period ending in August 2012 and notes the observations of the Trade Union Confederation “Nezavisnost” and the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia (CATUS). The Government indicates that since the global economic crisis in 2008, unemployment figures have been rising. The Committee observes that the unemployment rate increased from 20 per cent in October 2010 to 24.4 per cent in November 2011. In October 2012, unemployment was measured at 22.4 per cent. The Government indicates that the main objectives of the National Employment Strategy 2011–20 are to increase employment, improve labour market institutions, and reduce duality in the labour market. The specific objectives for 2012, as defined in the National Employment Action Plan, were to promote employment and job creation, improve the quality of the workforce and better match supply and demand on the labour market. Nezavisnost indicates that the Government’s report should have included a more critical position of the adopted measures and programmes and should have included an objective assessment of the formulation, adoption and implementation of the employment policy. It further indicates that meetings of a significant number of local employment councils were not convened following their initial constitutional meeting or once the action plan was adopted. Moreover, the CATUS mentions that, despite the activities undertaken by the state bodies in which representatives from the social partners were involved, social dialogue is lacking at the local level. The CATUS also adds that the Government must devise new measures and amend legislation to accelerate development of social dialogue at all levels in order to maintain existing jobs as increased unemployment will unavoidably result in social conflicts. The Committee therefore invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the issues raised by the workers’ organizations and on the consultations held with the social partners, both at the national and local level, in the development of an active employment policy as required by Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee also invites the Government to provide information on the impact of employment policies implemented to promote decent and productive jobs.

Monitoring and evaluating employment policy. The Government reports that a study was undertaken on the implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy and on the impact of public policies from 2003 to 2007 in order to determine the effectiveness of measures, including active labour market policies. One conclusion of this study points to the fact that employment policy needs to be given an important position and be fully integrated in the strategy and policy of general economic development. In reply to the previous comments, the Government makes reference to the methods of coordination between government ministries and the social partners to review and assess employment policy measures. The Government indicates that the Employment Sector of the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development is responsible to collect the information obtained through the monitoring system and provided by other ministries, local authorities, the social partners and other stakeholders. Furthermore, the National Employment Service submits quarterly reports and annual reports on the implementation of employment programmes and measures included in the National Action Plan for Employment. The Committee notes that there will be a two phase evaluation process of the National Employment Strategy 2011–20: a control assessment will take place five years after its implementation; and a final assessment will provide the overall evaluation of the Strategy once its full implementation is complete. The Committee also refers to its comments on the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), and invites the Government to include in its next report on the Convention information on the methods of coordination envisaged between the economic and social ministries and the social partners, to review and assess the results of employment policy (Article 2 of the Convention).

Employment policy measures within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy. The Committee notes that programmes and measures implemented by the National Employment Service include job search training, education and training, self-employment and employment, and public works. The Committee observes that 127,966 unemployed persons (which represented 17 per cent of the average number of registered unemployed persons in 2011) participated in these programmes and measures in 2011. The National Employment Service also provided training to over 600 counsellors on the collection and analysis of labour market data. The Committee further notes that Nezavisnost points to the need to adopt strategic, legislative and other solutions that are conducive to the achievement of economic development priorities and that ensure coherent labour market policies in coordination with all competent institutions. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information on the effectiveness of active labour market measures implemented by the National Employment Service.

Youth employment. The Committee notes that youth unemployment reached a staggering rate of 51.9 per cent in November 2011. It also notes that a Youth Employment Fund (YEF) was established in 2009 within the National Employment Service. Measures offered within the YEF framework often entail a combination of training and subsidized employment. The Government indicates that the National Employment Strategy for 2011–20 provides active measures to promote youth employment. It further reports that a particular challenge observed with respect to youth unemployment consists of young school leavers and those with low skill levels. The Government indicates that additional education, such as training courses aimed at modernizing and improving the level of knowledge and qualifications, should be further developed. The Committee refers to its comments on Convention No. 142 and requests the Government to provide in its next report on the Convention information on the impact of the various programmes and measures taken to address the issue of youth unemployment, including the school-to-work transition.

Roma population and other vulnerable groups. The Government indicates that the promotion of employment of the Roma population was among its employment policy priorities for a fourth consecutive year since 2009. It adds that an increase in the number of Roma people registered as unemployed over the years points to a positive change of attitude towards this vulnerable group in the labour market. The Committee notes the information on the number of unemployed members of the Roma population registered with the National Employment Service: 15,867 persons registered on 31 December 2010 (women accounting for 7,637), and 19,398 persons registered on 31 December 2011 (women accounting for 9,180). In 2011, the National Employment Service directed 2,760 unemployed members of the Roma population to prospective employers and 1,935 of them obtained employment. The Committee notes that other employment measures described in the Government’s report and directed at the Roma population in 2011 include education, training and self employment programmes. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to encourage and support labour market participation and social inclusion of the Roma population and other vulnerable groups.

Part V of the report form. ILO technical assistance. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report concerning technical assistance received from the ILO on matters such as labour statistics, labour force surveys, and the promotion of youth employment. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken as a result of technical assistance received from the ILO with a view to ensuring the implementation of an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention.