Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

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

1. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s informative report for the period June 2000 to June 2002, as well as the detailed replies in response to its 2001 direct request.

2. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. The Committee notes that there was a continual improvement of the employment situation. The unemployment rate has reached historically low levels while at the same time employment has been continually rising. Between 1998 and 2001 employment increased by approximately 56,000 persons while unemployment for the same period fell by 32,000. Female employment has increased by three times more than male employment and female unemployment has fallen approximately 50 per cent faster than male unemployment. Youth unemployment has also continued falling: in 2001 only about 6,000 persons between the ages of 18 and 25 were unemployed. The Committee would appreciate continuing to receive detailed disaggregated information on labour market trends.

3. The Government indicates that the most recent modification to the labour market policy, as mentioned in the action plan for "More people in employment", marks an adaptation to prosperity. It is a government objective to increase employment by 87,000 persons by the year 2010. The Committee notes this target and trusts that the Government will be able to report on the progress to achieve this important objective in its next report.

4. The Government states that it has assembled a new ministry, the Ministry of Employment, which is responsible for both passive and active labour market policies. Due to the continued rise of employment and decrease of unemployment during the reporting period, minor adjustments were made in labour market policy in order to focus on the fastest way to employment and on disadvantaged jobless persons. The adjustments have increased the flexibility of the Public Employment Services’ (PES) efforts in relation to activation and strengthened the jobseeking elements and placement activities.

5. The Government, through the new Ministry of Employment, concluded an important agreement with the social partners and the municipalities in May 2002 that strengthens labour market integration measures. Under the model established by the agreement, a labour market integration programme for new arrivals has been introduced comprising three phases: workplace introduction/practical work experience; workplace training/introduction to ordinary employment; and, finally, ordinary employment. For new arrivals needing to improve their knowledge of the Danish language the PES now also offer the possibility to quickly provide Danish lessons through a network of 51 language centres with 54 permanent subdivisions. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on progress made on labour market integration and on further developments under this agreement.

6. The Government reports that the gender mainstreaming project that started in 2000 in three PES pilot regions has had a measurable effect in contributing to the dismantling of the sex-segregated labour market. In 2001 the project expanded to three more pilot regions with focus on activation measures that allow women to get qualifications necessary for performing jobs with high occupation possibilities. According to the Government’s plan, the mainstreaming approach will be more systematically extended to all regional public employment services and eventually focus on all instruments used by the PES. The Committee notes this information with interest, and would appreciate receiving further information on the impact of these measures.

7. Article 3. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the National Labour Market Council, which acts in an advisory capacity to the Minister of Labour concerning matters such as the planning of labour market initiatives and the laying down of the framework for measures at the regional level. The Government explains that it has concluded that the National Labour Market Council and the National Social Council will be joined to create the National Employment Council which will cover the active labour market policy for all persons as well as the inclusive labour market. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the opinions issued by the new advisory body, and to transmit any relevant examples of reports or recommendations that it has adopted on the matters covered by the Convention.