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

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Lebanon (Ratification: 1977)

Article 1 of the Convention. The Government explains in its report that a labour market survey was completed in 1997, providing information on trends in the labour force. The participation rate was 33.1 per cent in 1997 and the unemployment rate was 2.4 per cent. The Government states that the National Employment agency has drawn up a plan, with the cooperation of the ILO and UNDP, entitled "The Structural Components for the National Strategy to Encourage Employment and Viable Development" which has been submitted to the competent authority for approval. The strategy will focus on competitiveness of the economy, unemployment, productivity, developing human resources and administration, and the participation of women in the process of development. The National Employment Agency has set up a committee to prepare a report on establishing a National Centre for Vocational Guidance, and the Council of the National Employment agency has started holding meetings. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on the activities of the Council, the outcome of the findings of the committee, and, more generally, the effect of the strategy on the promotion of full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Committee also requests further information on how monetary, fiscal and trade policies take into consideration employment promotion, and on the Government's strategy for balanced regional development.

Article 3, in conjunction with Article 2. The Committee notes that Act No. 389 which establishes the Economic and Social Council specifies tripartite representation and includes a wide variety of sectors. It recalls that the Government's employment policy should be decided on and kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy, in consultation with representatives of employers' and workers' organizations, as well as representatives of rural and informal sector workers. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply detailed information on how this provision is given effect.