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

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Honduras (Ratification: 1980)

Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes the detailed information supplied by the Government, in reply to the observation of 2011, in the reports received in August 2012 and 2013. The Committee notes with interest the signature on 7 February 2012 of the “Grand national agreement for growth with social equity” (GAN), the basis of which is a short-, medium- and long-term social covenant between representatives of the workers and agricultural sector, the employers and the Government. Resulting from social dialogue, the accord proposes to give high priority to the creation of employment and the preservation of existing jobs. Moreover, the Committee notes that in May 2012 the working-age population was estimated at 6,627,556 persons while the economically active population was estimated at 3,364,688 persons. Between May 2009 and May 2012, the economically active population decreased by 0.67 per cent, the number of persons employed fell by 0.31 per cent and the number of unemployed fell by 9.66 per cent. During the same period, the open unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points and the visible underemployment rate dropped by 2.8 percentage points. The Committee notes the deterioration in socio-economic indicators at the national level during the period covered by the report, the percentage of households in extreme poverty rose from 39.1 per cent in 2010 to 46 per cent in 2012, and the invisible underemployment rate rose by 11 percentage points, from 32.6 per cent in 2010 to 43.6 per cent in 2012. The Government indicates that in December 2012 foreign exchange revenue from family remittances reached a total of US$2,960.2 million representing an increase of 3.4 per cent compared with the previous year and 15.7 per cent of gross domestic product; 9.7 per cent of this revenue was invested in education. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on trends in the labour market and indicate to what extent the employment objectives established in government programmes have been achieved. The Committee also invites the Government to indicate to what extent revenue from family remittances has facilitated the creation of productive employment.

Micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The Committee notes that among the agreements reached in the GAN, in the particular cases of MSMEs, include action in the following areas: credit and technical assistance, including through a fund for MSMEs; strengthening of institutional aspects and the legal framework by a strategy of harmonization, structuring and coordination; reinforcement of linkage and technical capacities through a national programme; creation of a segment in state procurement guaranteeing that 30 per cent of the procurement budget is intended for MSMEs; and the setting up of a specialized information system. The Committee invites the Government to include detailed information in its next report on the impact of the GAN on employment creation and poverty reduction, particularly the impact of initiatives in support of MSMEs. The Committee also invites the Government to provide information on consultations held with representatives of the persons affected by the measures to be taken, including representatives of other sectors of the economically active population such as those working in the informal economy.

Article 2. Policy coordination. Vocational education and training. In reply to the observation of 2011, the Government refers to the programmes and projects being implemented by the National Education Centre for Labour (CENET), the National Vocational Training Institute (INFOP), and the Comprehensive Training Programme for Competitiveness (PROCINCO). In addition to the National Policy for Non-Formal Alternative Education (2008–15), the Committee notes the adoption of Legislative Decree No. 262-2011 issuing the General Education Act whose purpose is to ensure fair access for all persons to comprehensive and high-quality education. The Committee invites the Government to include information in its next report on the measures taken to ensure linkage between policies for education, vocational training and employment. The Committee would also welcome information on how the provision of training is coordinated with the demand for knowledge and skills and also with the needs of the labour market.

Youth employment. The Committee notes the adoption of the Youth Employment Plan 2011–13, the strategic components of which include technical education, promotion of entrepreneurship and enterprise development for young persons with access to productive assets. The Committee asks the Government to send detailed information in its next report on trends in youth employment, including statistics disaggregated by age and sex. The Committee invites the Government to include an evaluation of active policy measures implemented to minimize the impact of unemployment on young persons and to promote their long-term integration in the labour market.

Hourly employment programme (PRONEH) and job creation. In reply to previous comments, the Government indicates that 4,292 enterprises are registered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and that a total of 73,257 jobs had been recorded as at June 2013. The economic activities that account for the majority of workers are as follows: trade (33.97 per cent); financial establishments (26.82 per cent); communal and personal services (16.21 per cent); and manufacturing (7.73 per cent). Most recruitment occurred in MSMEs (98 per cent). As at June 2013 it was estimated that at least 155,127 jobs had been created in at least 11,117 enterprises. Moreover, the Government refers to some significant data which can be ascribed to the implementation of PRONEH, such as a drop in open unemployment (from 4.3 per cent to 3.6 per cent), a reduction in jobseeking time (from 6.3 months to 3.6 months) and the establishment of the National Employment Service of Honduras. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the supervision and monitoring of the PRONEH and on the extent to which beneficiaries have secured productive employment, and also details of age, sex, place of residence, training received and other elements which enable a quantitative and qualitative analysis of employment generated.

Impact of trade agreements. Employment and economic development zones. In its previous comment, the Committee asked the Government to provide particulars of any effects trade agreements have had on the generation of productive employment. The Committee notes the second “Report to the Nation” 2011, which states that negotiations were completed for the free trade agreement between Honduras and Canada (CA-4) and refers to the consolidation of the three free trade agreements into a single new free trade agreement between the countries of Central America and Mexico. Moreover, the Committee notes the adoption of the Organic Act concerning the employment and economic development zones. Section 1(2) of the Act provides that these zones are authorized to establish their own policies and legislation. In addition, section 31 stipulates that the zones must operate on the basis of a policy of free trade and competition. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information in its report on any effect trade agreements have had on the generation of productive employment. Please also provide information on the impact of employment and economic development zones on the generation of productive employment.