Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

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

1. Implementation of an active employment policy in the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy. The Committee notes the Government’s brief report received in December 2007 containing indications relating to Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. The Committee notes that in January 2007, the Government launched the Growth Acceleration Programme (PAC) to raise investment in infrastructure, increase credit, and improve the long-term investment climate and fiscal policies, with a view to providing a consistent macroeconomic basis and sustainability to all the measures adopted through the Programme. According to data published by the ILO in Labour Overview 2007, GDP growth, which was 5.3 per cent, accelerated in 2007 by 1.6 per cent in relation to the previous year (3.7 per cent), which is associated with the high level of private investment and the public investment in infrastructure promoted by the Government through the PAC. Labour market indicators also followed an upward trend. The urban unemployment rate fell from 10.2 per cent in 2006 to 9.9 per cent in 2007, with a 0.3 per cent rise in the employment rate. These positive results were also reflected in the rise in formal employment, with the proportion of private employees registered between 2006 and 2007 (average for the first nine months) increasing from 61.8 to 63.2 per cent. According to data published by the General Register of Employees and the Unemployed (CAGED) of the Ministry of Labour and Employment of Brazil, 1.6 million jobs were created between January and September 2007, which is one of the best results for the period since 1985. The branches in which most jobs were created were: agriculture and forestry (13.7 per cent), construction (12.8 per cent) and manufacturing (7.4 per cent). The Committee once again asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the experience of the social partners with regard to the application of the Convention, particularly where representatives of the rural sector and the informal economy have been included in consultations. With reference to its previous comments on the measures included in the National Decent Work Agenda, the Committee would like to be able to examine detailed information on the measures adopted to reduce the unemployment rate and the average duration of unemployment. In particular, the Committee asks for information on the measures that have been implemented to promote local development, strengthen micro- and small enterprises and cooperatives, and social economy initiatives with a view to continuing the creation of productive employment.

2. The Committee notes that there are over 340 centres in the Public Employment, Labour and Income System (SPETR). The Government is aware that, in view of the expansion of the SPETR network over the past ten years, it is necessary to achieve greater integration of the services provided in the various centres in different areas in relation to employment placement, social skills, vocational qualifications and unemployment insurance. The Committee requests information on the progress achieved in attaining greater integration between the various activities of the system and a more adequate distribution of the resources made available to the SPETR.

3. Article 2(a). Compilation and use of employment data. The Committee notes the progress achieved in the decentralization of the systematic compilation of labour market information through the creation of the Commission for the Management of the Employment and Unemployment Survey which, among other functions, supervises the implementation of the Employment and Unemployment Survey in the various regions of the country, ensuring its uniformity and methodological consistency. The Committee would appreciate receiving information on the progress achieved in compiling labour market information and trends. It requests the Government to specify the manner in which the available statistics on the employment situation and trends have contributed to the adoption and review of employment policy.

4. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the progress of the Job and Income Generation Programme (PROGER) as a series of special credit facilities to finance initiatives for the start-up of, or investment in, individual businesses, both in urban and rural areas, including associative, export and conservation enterprises, productive investments in tourism, etc. The Committee would appreciate receiving information on the impact of PROGER on the most vulnerable categories of workers, such as the poor, women, young persons, the African and mixed-race population and those living in areas with high unemployment rates.