Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Slovenia (Ratification: 1992)

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Labour market trends and employment policy. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report for the period ending May 2006, which included detailed information in reply to its previous comments. The Government reported that the employment rate increased in general by 1 per cent between May 2005 and May 2006 and in particular in leasing and business activities (up 6.8 per cent), the construction industry (up 6.3 per cent) and the community, social and personal service industry (up 2.9 per cent). From 2000 to 2006, the total number of unemployed persons dropped by 17.5 per cent and there was a significant drop in the number of long-term unemployed persons (64,000 persons in December 2000 compared to 42,279 persons in May 2006). The demand for highly educated workers has grown, with redundant workers and the long-term unemployed facing the problem of not having the specific skills and knowledge required for employment reintegration.

2. The objectives of the Active Employment Policy Programme (AEPP) for 2006 were increasing vocational orientation and assistance in obtaining employment; training and education; developing employment incentives; direct creation of new jobs; and introduction of experimental programmes. Within the framework of the AEPP, resources had been increased for a number of activities including: on-the-job training and integrated programmes of training and formal education which aimed at increasing the education level of youth, long-term unemployed and beneficiaries; project learning for young adults for the academic year 2006–07; project of non-market employment programmes; and on-the-job training in workshops and learning companies. The Committee would appreciate continuing to receive information on how the measures taken to promote full and productive employment operate within a “framework of a coordinated economic and social policy”. Please also include in the Government’s next report information on the results of any evaluation done by the Government and the social partners on the difficulties encountered and the results obtained with respect to the employment policy orientations included in the AEPP.

3. Vulnerable workers. In reply to previous comments made concerning measures taken to increase the employment rate among vulnerable groups, in particular older workers and those faced with structural changes, the Government indicated that special attention was being devoted to unemployed women who are particularly affected by structural changes in the economy. The assistance in employing long-term unemployed women has helped 411 women between 2005 and the first half of 2006 into employment. Under the promoting new employment for the elderly programme, financial subsidies were available to support the reintegration of older workers into employment. Between 2005 and the first half of 2006, 191 unemployed persons had been integrated into the labour market. An experimental programme had also been introduced to fight against age-based discrimination in the labour market and promote employment of older workers. A subsidy had been introduced to promote the employment of disadvantaged groups such as the unemployed and workers from industrial sectors undergoing restructuring. In 2005, 2,819 persons had benefited from this subsidy. The Committee asks the Government to keep it informed on the impact of the measures taken to provide lasting employment to young workers under the age of 26 years and first-time employment seekers, as well as to keep older workers in the active life.

4. Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and application of policies. The Government indicated that the partnership councils for human resources development had been established in each of the 12 regional offices of the employment service of Slovenia, in which all relevant institutions of regional and local importance had been invited to participate. The councils meet twice a year and establish the state of the labour market, as well as development programmes in local communities and educational programmes and propose measures in the field of the active employment policy. They played a primary role in developing the National Development Plan 2007–13, the National Strategic Reference Framework 2007–13 and the Human Resources Operative Programme 2007–13. The councils are also involved in the preparation of regional development programmes which form an integral part of the national development plan. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the manner in which the representatives of the persons affected are consulted in relation to employment policies.