Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Brazil (Ratification: 1969)

1. Application of the employment policy within the framework of a coordinated economic and social  policy. The Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government in the reports received in 2002 and 2003. In 2003, the urban unemployment rate reached 12.4 per cent (13.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2004). The youth unemployment rate rose more than that of adults (Labour Overview 2003 indicates that, in 2003, the unemployment rate for young persons aged 15 to 17 years grew by 3.3 per cent and that of young persons aged 18 to 24 years by 1.7 per cent, in a context in which the overall unemployment rate rose by 0.4 per cent). The Government emphasizes that, when compared with the periods 1998-2002 and 1992-97, the labour market participation of persons aged between 25 and 39 years increased over the latter period and that young persons are delaying their entry into the labour market. Taking into account the greater demand for skilled labour, more young persons prefer to prolong their education (both in the formal system and in vocational training courses). The participation rate of women increased, while that of men fell.

2. The Government provides information on the activities undertaken by the National Employment Offices (SINE), which contributed to the placement in 2002 of around 900,000 workers in collaboration with the representative organizations of employers and workers and private entities. A description is also provided of the activities of the Job and Income Generation Programme (PROGER urban and PROGER rural) for the promotion of employment and incomes through special credits for small and micro-enterprises, cooperatives and production units in the informal economy; the Programme for the Expansion of Employment and Improvement of the Quality of Workers’ Lives (PROEMPREGO), to create new jobs for the low-income population; and PROTRABALHO, to finance structural projects in strategic sectors. Projects for the creation of jobs are financed through the Popular Productive Credit Programme (PCPP), the Studies and Projects Financing Unit (FINEP) and the Programme for the Strengthening of Family Agriculture (PRONAF). Furthermore, with a view to promoting economic development with growth, including social development, the concept of the economy of solidarity has been introduced.

3. The Committee express its appreciation of the initiatives and important programmes undertaken by the Government to promote employment creation. The Committee recalls that the objective of full, productive and freely chosen employment needs to be integrated as a priority, within the framework of a coordinated strategy, in all economic and social policies. The Committee would be grateful to be provided with fuller information on the manner in which the Government has ensured that employment promotion is a central objective for all the available macroeconomic policy measures, and particularly monetary, financial, fiscal, trade and development policies. The Committee considers that it is essential from the outset for employment objectives to be included "as a major goal" in the formulation of economic and social policy if these objectives are truly to be an integral part of the policies that are adopted (paragraphs 487 and 490 of the General Survey of 2004 on promoting employment). In this respect, the Committee encourages the Government to provide information in its next report on the manner in which the objectives of full employment were taken into account when formulating economic and social policy.

4. In its previous comments, the Committee referred to the activities of PROGER, particularly in Ceará, and would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the evaluations carried out of the various programmes implemented, and particularly their impact on the most vulnerable categories of the population, such as the poor, women, young persons, the African and mixed race population and those living in areas with high unemployment rates.

5. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and application of policies. With regard to the consultation required by Article 3 of the Convention, the Government refers once again to the Deliberative Council of the Worker Protection Fund (FAT). The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the manner in which social dialogue contributes to the adoption and implementation of employment policies and reiterates its interest in receiving information on the impact of the decentralized approach adopted by the FAT and the measures taken to ensure the effectiveness of the consultations held in the various employment commissions of the FAT. Please also continue to provide information on the measures adopted to hold consultations with the representatives of the informal economy on the measures intended to improve their prospects of obtaining decent work.