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

Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Portugal (Ratification: 1981)

Vocational guidance and training policies and programmes closely linked with employment. Collaboration of the social partners. The Committee notes the Government’s report for the period ending May 2013, and the observations made by the General Workers’ Union (UGT) attached to the report received in January 2014. The Committee also notes the information provided by the Employment and Vocational Training Institute and the National Agency for Skills and Vocational Education on the programmes that are being implemented, and by the Strategy and Studies Cabinet of the Ministry of the Economy and Employment on the vocational training programmes promoted by employers’ organizations. The Government indicates that, in the framework of the follow-up to the protocol agreement on the Economic Adjustment Programme signed in May 2011 between Portugal, the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund, it is planned to continue taking measures to combat low school enrolment rates and early school drop-outs, and to improve the quality of secondary and vocational education, with a view to increasing the effectiveness of the education sector, improving the quality of human capital and facilitating its matching with labour market needs. The Government reports that measures were agreed to in the context of the Tripartite Agreement for Growth, Competitiveness and Employment of 22 March 2011, particularly to develop opportunities for dual certification intended to reduce early drop-outs and school failure and to reinforce the support provided for guidance as a means of improving skills levels. The Tripartite Commitment to Growth, Competitiveness and Employment was concluded in January 2012. On the subject of the Tripartite Agreement for Growth, Competitiveness and Employment, the UGT indicates that, although the social partners agreed on its relevance, delays in the implementation of measures intended to improve the system of the certification of vocational skills have been noted, particularly with regard to recognition, validity and certification. Moreover, the UGT argues that the Government’s decision to suspend the operation of “new opportunities centres” that are not financially self-sufficient has had the effect of ending several activities without offering real alternatives for those affected, which would appear to be a matter of greater concern in light of the fact that the new network of 120 “vocational qualification and education centres” will only be fully operational at the beginning of 2015. The UGT considers that Government responses for the training of the unemployed have been inadequate, particularly in view of the lack of adequate articulation with the reinforcement of employability. Finally, the UGT observes that levels of participation and involvement of the social partners are inadequate in the formulation and promotion of measures and instruments potentially covered by the Convention. The Committee refers to the comments made in the context of the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and the tripartite discussion held in June 2013 in the Conference Committee, and invites the Government to provide detailed information in its report on Convention No. 142 on the manner in which the cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations is secured in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and training policies and programmes (Article 5 of the Convention). It invites the Government to provide information in its report on the impact of the measures taken to coordinate education, training and employment policies and on the results of the measures adopted to promote links between education, training and employment.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2016.]