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

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

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Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Youth employment and measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in relation to the revision of the Small and Medium Enterprises policy, 2011 (SME policy), which aim to accelerate growth and promote economic diversification, as well as to create jobs and income earning opportunities. In addition, the Government refers to the National Development Plan (NDP) 2015-2030, which provides medium and long-term economic strategies and policies for sustainable development in Curaçao. With respect to the implementation of the NDP, the Government indicates that a number of so-called “Tiger Teams” have been established, with representatives drawn from the public and private sectors. These teams are charged with proposing economic policies and programs, including in the areas of logistics and tourism. The Committee notes the serious social and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the national economy and labour market. According to the data available from the website of the Curaçao Central Bureau of Statistics, in 2020 the overall unemployment rate for persons 15-64 years of age stood at 19.1 per cent, while the youth unemployment rate was more than double this figure, at 42.2 per cent. In addition, the Committee notes from the data available to the ILO Department of Statistics, in 2020, the overall labour force participation rate reached 56.4 per cent. The Government indicates that, during the pandemic, the tourism sector came to a complete stop, affecting other economic sectors in parallel. It adds that, as of March 2020, the number of unemployed jobseekers climbed to 7,156 persons. The Committee notes that the Government, in consultation with stakeholders, took emergency measures to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labour market and to conserve as many jobs as possible. In particular, the Committee notes the implementation of the ALIVIO 1 Package, which delivered financial assistance to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), to ensure their survival and avoid the mass dismissal of workers, as well as the ALIVIO 2 Package that provided unemployment allowances to unemployed persons. It also notes two additional temporary schemes put in place by the Government: the TBZO (Temporary Assistance for Self-Employed Entrepreneurs), which provided financial assistance to over 3,051 business applicants and rescued many entrepreneurs from bankruptcy and the NOW wage subsidy program. The Government also introduced a so-called Package of Support, which provided financial assistance (1000 Antillean guilders on a monthly basis) to eligible candidates (cash payments or food coupons). Noting that the Government does not provide information in relation to the points raised in the Committee’s previous comment, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to develop and implement an active employment policy, including information on the impact of the measures adopted. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated statistical data, disaggregated by age and sex, on employment trends, including employment, unemployment and visible underemployment. Noting the higher unemployment rates for women and young persons, the Government is further requested to provide detailed and up-to-date information, including statistical information disaggregated by age and sex, on the nature, scope, and impact of active labour market measures implemented to promote employment and create sustainable and productive employment opportunities, particularly for specific groups facing barriers to entering or remaining in the labour market, such as women, young persons and persons with disabilities.

Article 3. Consultations with the social partners. The Government reports that, in 2017, it organized a Democratic Dialogue, in the context of which a series of consultations, panel discussions, meetings, and workshops were held with stakeholders from the public and private sectors to discuss the key components of the SME policy (2011). It also indicates that, during the pandemic, both the Government and the COVID-19 Emergency Fund Committee spoke with numerous affected groups, including the social partners, and received their input for further reflection and decision making. The Committee nevertheless notes that the Government does not provide information with regard to consultations held with social partners with respect to the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and revision of a national employment policy aimed at achieving full, productive, and freely chosen employment for both men and women. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report examples of the manner in which the views of the social partners are taken into account in the development, implementation, monitoring, and review of active labour market policies and programmes. In addition, the Government is once again requested to provide information on the consultations held with the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations concerning the formulation and implementation of a national employment policy.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Youth employment. In its previous comments, the Committee invited the Government to provide updated information on measures adopted to create productive employment opportunities for young persons. The Committee welcomes the detailed information provided by the Government on the various employment and training measures specifically targeting young people, including the “1,000 youngsters at work” (Mil hoben na trabou) project and numerous subprojects. The Government indicates in its report that it has reintroduced an effective legal tool aimed at encouraging employers to offer jobs to young people for a one-year period by covering, for the stated period, the social premiums and taxes to be paid to the Social Security Bank of Curaçao. In addition, the Government adopted the so-called “80/20” Law which enables local workers to enrol in the labour market process on a priority basis. With respect to unemployment statistics, the Government indicates that youth unemployment decreased from 37.2 per cent in 2013 to 29.7 per cent in 2015. According to the 2016 Labour Force Survey (LFS), youth unemployment subsequently increased to 36.8 per cent in 2016. Consequently, young persons aged 15–24 continue to have the highest unemployment rates compared to other age groups. The Committee notes from the LFS that over 30 per cent of unemployed youth were in daytime education, which may have had an impact on their availability to accept employment. It further notes that the overall unemployment rate was 13.3 per cent in September–October 2016, compared to 11.7 per cent for the same period in 2015, with women continuing to have higher rates of unemployment compared to men. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of the measures taken to address youth unemployment. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to promote employment opportunities for women. In addition, it reiterates its request that the Government communicate information on measures taken to ensure the implementation of an active employment policy as required by the Convention, as well as on the impact of the measures adopted, including, to the extent possible, statistical information disaggregated by age and sex.

Article 3. Consultations with the social partners. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the consultations held with the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations concerning the formulation and implementation of an active employment policy.

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

Active labour market measures. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in August 2013 which includes information in reply to its 2011 direct request. The Committee also notes that unemployment remained stable at 9.8 per cent in 2011 and 2012. The Government indicates that the investment climate in Curaçao is in need of improvement and that foreign investments have slowed down considerably in recent years. It adds that it has embarked on a few projects to improve and make the economic structure more competitive and stimulate economic development, which includes developing a policy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship. Moreover, the Government describes in detail various employment measures that were implemented, such as a project to stimulate young entrepreneurs to start their own businesses by providing them with micro-credit. It also indicates that efforts have been made to increase opportunities for jobseekers by offering apprenticeships and training. The Committee notes that the Government proposed a Bill (the 80/20 Bill) to encourage employers to hire workers that have the required skills and experience, especially young persons. The proposed Bill also aims to realize a better human resources planning and create partnerships with local educational institutes. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information in its next report on the measures taken to ensure an active employment policy as required by Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. It would also welcome updated information on measures adopted to create productive employment opportunities for young persons. Please also provide information on the consultations held with the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations, including details of their contribution to the design and implementation of an active employment policy (Article 3 of the Convention).

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

Active labour market measures. In a report received in October 2010, the Government indicates that it conducted a labour force survey (LFS) in October 2009. The LFS determined in 2009 that the employed population in Curaçao remained practically unchanged when compared to 2008. The number of jobseekers decreased by almost 7 per cent and consequently the unemployment rate declined from 10.3 per cent in October 2008 to 9.7 per cent in October 2009. Furthermore, the Committee notes that youth unemployment decreased from 26.3 per cent in 2008 to 24.7 per cent in 2009. The Committee invites the Government to include information in its next report on the measures taken to ensure an active employment policy as required by Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. It would also welcome specific information on measures adopted to create productive employment opportunities for young persons, and on the consultations held with the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations, including details of their contribution to the design and implementation of an active employment policy (Article 3 of the Convention).