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

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Peru (Ratification: 1967)

1. Coordination of employment policy with economic and social policy. The Committee takes notes of the Government’s report, received in September 2004, which contains useful information in response to its previous comments. The Government reports the adoption of new legislative measures to promote employment (the law and regulations to promote micro- and small enterprises and upgrade them into the formal economy, the register of private employment agencies, the creation of the vocational training programme CAPACITESE PERU). The Committee requests the Government in its next report to provide information on the impact of these measures in terms of occupational integration and the creation of productive employment.

2. The Committee observes in this connection that the economic recovery led to an expansion of formal employment in the urban sector of 2.3 per cent in 2002 and of 1.8 per cent in 2003. Private investment grew and in 2003 the exchange rate remained stable. Textile exports to the North American market increased. Budgetary austerity is being promoted. The Government indicates that the aims set out in its road map are to increase workers’ productivity; seek consensus in the National Labour Council and Congress to reform labour legislation; promote a social pact on employment, wages and productivity; and strengthen the programme to encourage micro- and small enterprises. The Committee hopes that the Government will be in a position to indicate in its next report that employment does have a central place in macroeconomic and social policies and in the design and implementation of the principal economic and social policies and measures (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention). The Committee considers it essential for employment objectives to be included "as a major goal" from the outset in discussions of the formulation of economic and social policies so that these objectives are truly an integral part of policies that are adopted (paragraph 490 of the General Survey of 2004 on promoting employment).

3. The Committee notes with interest the detailed information on remuneration and the employment situation, broken down by sector and major urban centre. It notes with interest the results obtained by the work training for young people programme. According to data published by the ILO in its Labour Overview, 2003, the youth unemployment rate fell by 0.7 per cent and the overall unemployment rate, by 0.3 per cent between 2002 and 2003. The Committee hopes that the Government will continue to report on the situation, level and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, both in the aggregate and as they affect particular categories of workers (such as women, young people and workers in the informal economy and the rural sector), often the groups that have most difficulty in finding lasting employment. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate how the statistical information compiled has served as a basis for deciding on economic and social policies that target the creation of productive employment as a priority. Please continue to provide information on the impact on productive employment generation of the various programmes being implemented.

4. Participation by the social partners in the formulation and application of policies. In reply to earlier comments, the Government indicates that the National Council for Labour and Employment Promotion, a tripartite body, has discussed and approved guidelines pertaining to vocational training and labour market policies. The Committee requests the Government to continue to report on the manner in which social dialogue contributes to the adoption and implementation of employment policies. It would also appreciate receiving detailed information on the work done by the National Council for Labour in connection with the consultations required by Article 3 of the Convention. Please provide information on measures taken to consult representatives of the informal economy about policies to improve prospects for obtaining decent work.