Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Cuba (Ratification: 1971)

1. With reference to its previous comments, in which it noted the comments made by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), the Committee notes the Government's report and the discussion in the Conference Committee in June 1992. The Government representatives emphasized that at no time, despite the economic difficulties, had they abandoned the policy of full employment, based on the equality of all workers, without any type of discrimination. The Workers' members stated that there had to be freedom to choose jobs, and also to have opportunities of training and general education to prepare for jobs, without discrimination on grounds of political convictions. The Employers' members subscribed to the statement made by the Workers' members and emphasized that employment policies in Cuba could lead to the belief that it involved forced labour.

2. In its report, the Government indicates that the State guarantees access to employment and education, without discrimination, and attempts to combine individual and social interests. As a consequence of the need to reorganize the Cuban economy and trade, growth of employment has been planned in those activities which can most contribute to the economic recovery of the country. The Food Programme has the objective of achieving self-sufficiency in supplying the population, by increasing the labour force in the rural sector. The Turquino Plan is intended to decrease migration from the mountains to urban areas through a high rate of development of infrastructure, thereby providing new sources of employment and better living conditions. In the tourism sector, in which there are many opportunities for employment, it is planned to make considerable investments and a substantial effort will be required in the field of training and retraining. The fields of biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry also provide opportunities for the creation of new jobs. The report also refers to the possibility of creating new jobs through foreign investment. By March 1992, it had been possible to relocate 85 per cent of redundant workers, while a slower rise in the active population will decrease pressure on the labour market.

3. The Committee once again notes that the context for the application of the Convention is still difficult and emphasizes that, in accordance with Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention, it is important to maintain as a major goal an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, with the objective of stimulating economic growth and development, raising levels of living and meeting manpower requirements. As it indicated in its observation in 1992, employment policy must also promote the free choice of employment by enabling each worker to train for employment which can subsequently be freely chosen, as set out in Article 1, paragraph 2(c), of the Convention. Taking into account its comments on the application of Conventions Nos. 29, 105 and 111, the Committee requests the Government to supply information, in its next detailed report on the application of Convention No. 122, on the measures which have been taken or are envisaged to give better effect to the above provisions, and to include information on the impact on employment of the Food Programme, the Turquino Plan, and of national and foreign investment. Please also state whether the principal measures of employment policy are kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy, in accordance with Article 2.