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

Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (Ratification: 1984)

Implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training. Cooperation with the social partners. In its previous comment, the Committee noted the activities of the National Institute for Cooperative Education (INCE), which offered continuous training through 21 regional civil associations. The Committee asked the Government to continue to provide information on the vocational guidance activities carried out by the INCE. In its report received in August 2008, the Government reports on the implementation of the Che Guevara Social Mission and the creation of centres of endogenous development which have put in practice a comprehensive plan for vocational training and labour market integration. Based on a new economic model, the aim is to train workers who are facing structural unemployment and young people so that they obtain a job and fully develop their abilities. The Government reports the adoption of the Decree with the rank, value and force of law, dated 15 July 2008, for the promotion and development of small and medium industry and units of social production. The Committee notes that the INCE has been converted into the National Institute for Socialist Cooperative Education (INCES) through the Decree with the rank, value and force of law, dated 14 May 2008. The Committee notes that in the observations received in September 2008 by the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers and Associations of Commerce and Production (FEDECAMARAS), it was indicated that there was no tripartite representation on the Executive Board of the INCES. Employers were obliged to pay a contribution equivalent to 2 per cent of the normal salary paid to the staff working for private individuals or enterprises not belonging to the State employing five or more workers. Workers contribute 0.5 per cent of their annual earnings (sections 14, 15 and 17 of the above Decree). The Committee expressed its conviction in its 2004 General Survey that broad social dialogue is the best guarantee of the effectiveness of employment policies and human resources development. Increased involvement of the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations is not only essential to ensure the successful implementation of the necessary measures, but can also contribute to improving the quality of social dialogue (see General Survey of 2004 on promoting employment, paragraphs 495 and 437). In accordance with Article 5 of Convention No. 142, policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training are to be formulated and implemented in cooperation with the social partners. The Committee requests the Government to report on the manner in which, in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention, it has ensured the cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations to extend the vocational guidance system and ensure effective coordination between initiatives to provide vocational guidance and training and employment policy objectives, taking into account the factors mentioned in Article 1, paragraphs 2 to 4, of the Convention. The Committee invites the Government to include reports, studies and surveys, statistical data, etc., on the policies and programmes designed to promote access to education, training and lifelong learning for people with special needs, such as youth, low-skilled people, people with disabilities, migrants, older workers, indigenous people, ethnic minority groups and the socially excluded; and for workers in small and medium-sized enterprises, in the informal economy, in the rural sector and in self-employment (Paragraph 5(h) of the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195)).

The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2010.