Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Panama (Ratification: 1970)

The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending on 30 June 1998, received in March 1999. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the objectives set and progress made by the General Directorate of Employment regarding the establishment of employment offices in the various geographical areas of the country (Article 3 of the Convention). The Committee trusts that the Government will forward the results of the studies under way to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of each employment office. Please also furnish any available information published on the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices (Part IV of the report form).

Articles 4 and 5. In reply to the Committee's previous comments, the Government states that the public employment service maintains no arrangements through advisory committees. However, talks are under way with a view to the conclusion of a coordination agreement between the Labour Foundation and the General Directorate of Employment of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. The Committee emphasizes that these Articles of the Convention provide for the establishment of one or more national advisory committees and, where necessary, regional and local committees, to enlist the cooperation of employer and worker representatives in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy. The Committee again expresses the hope that in its next report the Government will be in a position to supply information on how the coordination agreement between the Labour Foundation and the General Directorate of Employment has given effect to the abovementioned provisions of the Convention. Please continue to supply information on progress made in this regard, specifying in particular, as required by the report form, the number of advisory committees established nationally and, if applicable, regionally and locally, how they are constituted and the procedure adopted for the appointment of employer and worker representatives.