Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Suriname (Ratification: 1976)

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the Government’s statement included in the report received in August 2010 that the labour market institutions established with regard to employment policy are the following: the Foundation for Productive Work Units (SPWE), the Foundation for Labour Mobilization and Development (SAO), the Labour Exchange Bureau and the Labour Market Department. The Government provided employment statistics from 1995–2008 (Paramaribo and Wanica) indicating that the number of employed persons grew from 124,118 in 2007 to 127,162 in 2008, while the number of unemployed persons decreased from 14,806 to 13,082 during the same period. The Committee also notes employment data provided by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) which indicates that, in 2010, Suriname’s economy is expected to grow by around 4 per cent in light of increasing gold production and an expanding petroleum sector. ECLAC envisages a stronger demand for private housing and ongoing public infrastructure development projects and the subsequent expansion of construction and commercial services which account for 17 per cent of GDP. Agriculture, which employs a sizeable proportion of the workforce is also expected to increase its productivity levels. The Committee invites the Government to provide further information on measures taken to implement an active employment policy through the abovementioned labour market institutions. It also requests the Government to include in its next report updated information on trends in the labour market, particularly levels and trends relating to employment, underemployment and unemployment in the country.

2. Support to small and medium-sized enterprises. The Government indicates that the SPWE’s target group for small and medium-sized enterprises includes the following sectors: timber production and processing, food processing, textile processing, handicraft and maintenance and repair. The Government indicates further support for small and medium-sized enterprises through the continuation of the Jep’ Kraka Ju Baka Fund (JKJB-Fund) which was established through a joint effort by the SPWE and the Credit Cooperation “de Schakel”. The Committee notes this effort has resulted in a total of 59 loan applications and the distribution of 31 loans, 13 of which were granted to males and 18 to females. In addition, the Committee notes the efforts to promote an entrepreneurial culture through practical skills training in identifying problems, analysing problems and problem solving. Some 250 participants underwent these entrepreneurial skills trainings in 2008 and 614 in 2009. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on continuing measures taken to support the establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises and their results to stimulate employment.

3. Education and vocational training. The Government indicates that the Foundation for Labour Mobilization and Development (SAO) maintains the continued responsibility for providing technical and vocational training. The Committee notes SAO training activities have been expanded to particular districts and seek to provide specialized training for special target groups such as school drop-outs and juvenile delinquents. It also notes efforts to ensure that training programmes meet the demands of the labour market through the first Labour Market Information Fair held in February 2009. The fair sought to promote entrepreneurship and skills for product development and innovation and to gain insight into labour market trends and developments. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information on the results of its technical and vocational training programmes in terms of providing employment opportunities to its beneficiaries. Please also report on new measures taken to ensure that the skills acquired through training programmes meet the demands of the labour market.

4. Article 3. Consultations with social partners. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the manner in which representatives of persons affected are consulted in the formulation and implementation of its employment policies. Please also indicate the measures taken or contemplated to involve representatives of persons working in the rural sector or in the informal economy in the consultations required under the Convention.