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

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Czechia (Ratification: 1993)

The Committee noted the Government’s report for the period ending in August 2003. It is also aware of the National Employment Action Plan approved by the Government on 14 July 2004. The Committee notes that, according to OECD data, the rate of unemployment, which fell from 8.2 per cent in 2001 to 7.3 per cent in 2002, reached 7.8 per cent in 2003, despite a decrease in the activity rate. It observes, among the worrying features of the employment situation in 2003, an unemployment rate of 17.6 per cent among young people under 25 years of age and 18.8 per cent among persons without secondary education, as well as the high incidence of long-term unemployment, nearly half of the unemployed being out of work for more than 12 months. In its report the Government describes a set of policies implemented principally to combat the structural causes of unemployment.

1. General economic policies. The Government emphasizes in its report the importance of regional policy for tackling the regional disparities in the impact of large-scale structural changes on economic activity and employment. Under the regional development strategy, resources are concentrated on the least developed or the most affected regions which have the highest unemployment rates. The various programmes which are being implemented are to contribute to the creation of jobs by diversification of activities, and their effectiveness will be the subject of an evaluation in 2006. The Government also refers to an industrial policy designed to encourage foreign direct investment and to promote exports, as well as a policy to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises aimed at increasing their share in economic growth and the reduction of unemployment. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would communicate in its future reports any evaluation available of the impact of these programmes and measures that it describes on activity and employment. It also invites it to describe the way in which the main aspects of its monetary and budgetary policies contribute to the promotion of employment.

2. Labour market and training policies. The Government indicates that employment policy objectives and measures are included in the National Employment Action Plan adopted in accordance with the European Employment Strategy. Particular attention is devoted to the prevention of long-term unemployment and exclusion from the labour market, particularly by support geared to the individual in active job search, which supposes a strengthening of the capacity of the employment services. The Committee requests the Government to indicate progress made in this regard. In as much as a lack of appropriate skills is identified as one of the main factors of unemployment, the Committee also asks the Government to describe the measures taken in the context of its lifelong learning strategy in order to increase the supply of continuing vocational training.

3. Consultation of the representatives of the persons affected. The Committee notes the indications provided by the Government on consultations held within the Economic and Social Council, particularly concerning the preparation and evaluation of national employment plans. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on consultation with the social partners on employment policy, indicating opinions delivered and the manner in which account was taken of them (Article 3 of the Convention).