Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

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

1. The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending June 1994. The Government states that its principal concern is to reduce under-employment with a view to increasing the effectiveness of the productive system. It states that it has now started the process of finding alternative employment for the surplus workforce, in conformity with the principles of social justice and equity. In addition to the restructuring of the workforce, the Government is seeking to promote the creation of new jobs, particularly jobs which do not require a high level of investment but which serve to provide the population with consumer goods and services. According to the report, the creation of useful jobs gives special priority to the tourism sector, which has the benefit of a substantial investment plan and where foreign capital plays an important role. The Government emphasizes that in the context of the current economic changes it has endeavoured to make its employment policy more flexible. The Committee notes these measures that have been taken with interest.

2. The Committee notes Decision No. 6/94 of 18 August 1994 on the conditions of employment and wages applicable to workers who have become surplus due to structural or institutional adjustments or to the decline in economic activity. These provisions are intended to improve the situation of such workers and to ensure that the state funds allocated to their protection are used in the most effective manner possible. Decision No. 6/94 has regard to alternative employment and skills training or retraining, as well as providing an income guarantee, but does not prevent workers from seeking jobs at their own initiative. Legislative Decree No. 141 of 8 September 1993 is intended to increase the numbers of self-employed persons.

3. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the context for the application of the Convention was difficult, as confirmed by the information provided by the Government in its report. In order to be able to evaluate the labour market situation, the Committee would be grateful to be provided with the information requested in the report form approved by the Governing Body, including information on the situation, level and trends of employment, under-employment and unemployment. The Committee also hopes that the Government will supply additional information enabling it to assess fully the manner in which the Convention is applied and the employment policy measures decided upon and kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy, in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention, with an indication in particular as to whether the measures described have contributed in practice to ensuring that work is as productive as possible. The Committee also recalls, as it has emphasized in its previous observations and in its comments on other basic Conventions, such as Conventions Nos. 29, 105 and 111, that the active employment policy must be aimed at ensuring that there is freedom of choice of employment and the fullest possible opportunity for each worker to qualify for and obtain a job for which he is well suited (Article 1, paragraph 2(c)). The Committee trusts that in its next detailed report on the application of the Convention the Government will supply information and statistics indicating the results obtained in terms of employment through the labour market policy measures and overall or sectoral plans (in sectors such as tourism the pharmaceutical and medical industry, bio-technology, the food programme) to which it refers.