Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156) - Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (Ratification: 1984)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in reply to its previous comments.

Article 10, paragraph 2, of the Convention. The Committee again requests the Government to state the extent to which effect has been given or is proposed to be given to Article 11 (manner in which employers' and workers' organisations participate in devising and applying measures designed to give effect to the Convention).

Articles 3 and 4. The Committee notes from the Government's report that a draft labour law which introduces the term "workers with family responsibilities", which gives employment preference to heads of family and which contains a number of provisions favourable towards workers with young children, has been prepared. The Committee hopes that the draft provisions have been elaborated with a view to creating effective equality of opportunity and treatment for men and women workers and to enable workers with family responsibilities to exercise their right to free choice of employment without being subject to discrimination and, to the extent possible, without conflict between their employment and family responsibilities in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. It hopes that the Government will indicate progress in the adoption process of this legislation.

Article 4(b). The Committee notes from the Government's report that, in practice, special consideration is given to accommodate workers with family responsibilities although the arrangements may vary according to the conditions of the undertaking, sector of activity or other factors. It further notes that such special arrangements may at times be adopted informally, but in many cases, are provided for in collective agreements and that such measures have developed significantly in the public sector as well. The Committee urges the Government to take all measures, compatible with national conditions and possibilities, to ensure progressively that all categories of workers in all branches of activity are formally entitled to terms and conditions of work which assist them in reconciling their work and family responsibilities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply copies of collective agreements with provisions which take account of the needs of workers with family responsibilities and to indicate the manner in which such account is taken in the public sector, such as through public service regulations.

The Committee notes the adoption of National Executive Decree No. 146 of 16 April 1989 and requests the Government to supply a copy of said Decree with its next report. It further requests the Government to continue to provide information on measures taken in social security to take account of the needs of workers with family responsibilities.

Article 5. The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government on the development of the national programme on child care centres instituted by the Ministry of Family Welfare and the Children's Foundation. In particular, the Committee notes that the objective of the programme is to attend to the health and welfare of the child while at the same time to facilitate the mother's entry into the labour market. It further notes that the programme appears to be need-based and community-oriented. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on implementation of the programme and the effect it has in practice in meeting its set out objective and development plan.

Article 6. The Committee notes the information supplied in the Government's report concerning the information distributed to male and female workers by the Ministry of Labour about their employment rights including information on family responsibilities. Referring to its previous comment, the Committee once again emphasises that the aim of this Article is to promote information and education of the general public, and not only workers, in order to engender broader public understanding of the principle of equality of opportunity and treatment for men and women workers on the one hand and the problems of workers with family responsibilities on the other. The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report the measures taken in this regard which have been aimed at the general public, such as publicity concerning the provisions of Convention No. 156 and Recommendation No. 165, or general public awareness campaigns.

Article 7. The Committee refers to its previous comment and requests the Government to indicate in its next report the measures taken, in particular in the field of vocational training and vocational guidance, to enable workers with family responsibilities to become and remain integrated in the labour force as well as to re-enter after an absence due to family responsibilities.