Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Spain (Ratification: 1970)

1. With reference to its previous observation and to the discussion held in the Conference Committee in June 1995, the Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending June 1996. It also notes the comments received from the Confederación Sindical de Comisiones Obreras (CC.OO.) and the General Workers Union (UGT).

2. The Committee notes the detailed description of developments in employment and unemployment provided by the Government from which it emerges that the upsurge in employment in 1995 has resulted in a slight decrease in unemployment levels, which dropped from 24.2 per cent in 1994 to 22.9 per cent in 1995. According to the OECD, it should stabilize at this very high level in 1996. The Committee observes the persistence of the most serious aspects of unemployment, such as the rate for young people, the growing proportion of long-term unemployment and strong regional disparities. The CC.OO. emphasizes that Spain has both the highest unemployment rate among developed countries and the highest incidence of precarious employment, which is linked, in its view, to the frequency of industrial accidents. The UGT raises the high labour turnover: deregulation, unstable employment contracts and low wages are policies which impact unfavourably on qualifications and competitivity.

3. The Government states that its employment policy continues to rely on two main approaches: first, employment on contracts without limit of time and, secondly, different types of fixed-term contracts introduced under the reform of the labour market in order to benefit employment of the categories of unemployed experiencing the greatest difficulties. The Committee notes the adoption of new incentives to employ long-term unemployed and provisions governing the content of training in apprenticeship contracts. The Committee requests the Government to supply in its next report any available assessment of the results obtained from the various employment and training incentives it describes.

4. The Committee appreciates the information supplied but notes that the Government's report is restricted essentially to describing labour market and training policy measures which do not in themselves seem yet to have produced a significant reduction in unemployment levels. It regrets that the Government has not responded to the reiterated request to supply information enabling an assessment of how its employment policy falls "within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy" (Article 2 of the Convention). The Committee trusts that the Government's next report will, in response to the questions under Article 1 in the report form approved by the Governing Body, specify how the decisions taken on, particularly, monetary and budgetary policies, price, income and salary policies and investment policies contribute effectively to promoting "as a major goal" full, productive and freely chosen employment. It also requests the Government to continue to supply detailed information on how the representatives of the sectors concerned, and particularly representatives of employers and workers, are consulted on the subject of employment policies, in accordance with Article 3.