Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Czechia (Ratification: 1993)

The Committee notes the report provided by the Government in November 2010, including comments from the Czech–Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (CMKOS) and the Confederation of Industry and Transport (CIT). The Government indicates that, as a consequence of the global economic crisis, the number of jobseekers has increased due to, in part, a fall in production. The Government further reports “made-to-measure” projects for specific target groups of jobseekers at the regional and national levels. The Government states that jobseekers are placed in motivational activities, are provided with consultancy on how to successfully enter the job market and requalification leading to an increase or change in their current qualifications, and are placed in jobs created and supported with wage contributions.

Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention. Cooperation of the social partners. The CMKOS indicates that some advisory committees work better than others. The Government indicates that it very much depends on local economic, social and other conditions and circumstances. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report further information on the effective involvement of the social partners in the organization and operation of advisory committees and in the development of an employment service policy.

Article 8. Special arrangements for young persons. The CMKOS reports concern with the 2008 amendment of the Employment Act, more specifically with regard to the abolishment of assistance provided by the labour offices to university graduates for a period of up to two years after successfully completing their studies (for persons up to 30 years of age). The CMKOS regards this group to be in constant danger and should therefore enjoy attention through the stability of legislation. According to the Government, the situation of the labour market did not further justify special care for this group in comparison to, for example, persons with disabilities or people over 50 years of age. However, young persons are continuously considered as one of the most vulnerable groups in the labour market and are therefore subject to special attention by the local and regional labour offices within the active labour market policies. The Committee refers to its General Survey of 2010 concerning employment instruments, paragraph 800, and encourages governments to develop job-creation and career guidance policies targeted at educated unemployed young persons, as unemployment among educated workers, particularly young university graduates, is now an issue for the advanced market economies as well as developing countries. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the special measures taken to meet the needs of young workers, within the framework of the employment and vocational guidance services, allowing them to integrate or reintegrate into the labour market.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2013.]