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

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Costa Rica (Ratification: 1966)

Adoption and implementation of an active employment policy. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes the Government’s report for the period ending May 2011. In reply to its previous comments, the Government indicates that the Higher Labour Council did not approve the National Employment Plan. The Government adds that in February 2011 a proposal was made to the National Labour Council to develop a national youth employment plan and the proposal was received positively by the three social partners. With a view to promoting productive employment, the Government emphasizes that an electronic tool has been established (buscoempleocr.com) through which employment vacancies are found and where employers identify the personnel required for their enterprises. In a communication forwarded to the Government in September 2011, the Confederation of Workers Rerum Novarum (CTRN) expresses concern at the lack of a long-term employment policy with a vision of the State. According to the workers’ organization, an employment policy should have the fundamental objective of generating high-quality jobs. The Committee emphasized in its 2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments that the first fundamental step for achieving full employment consists of a political commitment reflected in national legislation or the Government’s main strategic documents. The Committee also emphasized the importance of holding continuous and genuine tripartite consultations to address and mitigate the consequences of the global economic crisis (paragraph 513 and also its concluding remarks, paragraphs 785–790). The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the progress achieved in the adoption and implementation of an active employment policy, as required by the Convention. The Committee invites the Government to describe the manner in which the discussions held in the National Labour Council have been used to declare and pursue an active employment policy. In this respect, the Committee requests the Government to include examples of the manner in which full account has been taken of the opinions and experiences of the persons affected by employment policy measures, with particular reference to those working in the rural sector and the informal economy. The report should also describe the measures that have been taken to compile and analyse statistical information on the labour market and provide updated data on the size and distribution of the labour force, and the nature, extent and trends of unemployment and underemployment.

Coordination of education and training policies with employment opportunities. The Committee notes the action taken by the National Training Institute (INA) to improve the skills and provide vocational training to the population, and particularly to women and young persons. The Government emphasizes the gender perspective promoted by the INA. The Committee notes that the INA provided training for more women than men through vocational skills and training modules and programmes, while the skills certification services catered for more men than women. More women have chosen to train in the commerce and services sectors, as well as in the food industry. The INA collaborates with municipal authorities to promote the access to employment of young persons and persons with disabilities, as well as with the National Programme to Support Micro-enterprises (PRONAMYPE). The Committee invites the Government to provide data in its next report as a basis for assessing the manner in which the beneficiaries of the action taken by the INA have found lasting employment. The Committee also requests the Government to provide more detailed information on the coordination of education and vocational training policies with employment policy.

Women’s employment. The Committee notes that in May 2010 it was declared of public interest to establish and develop the National Childcare and Development Network. The National Development Plan 2011–14 includes among its objectives improving the employability of the workforce, and particularly of women and vulnerable groups. The Committee invites the Government to indicate in its next report the manner in which the measures adopted have facilitated the achievement by women of greater participation in the labour market.

Youth employment. The Government recalls in its report that a plan is being promoted to improve the vocational skills of young persons living in poverty and who are at social risk, particularly through a subsidy allowing them to follow training modules in private institutions. The Government adds that programmes have been developed for the employability, employment and entrepreneurship of young persons (the programme known as the Ventanilla Única). The Committee reiterates its request for the inclusion of information on the measures adopted for the development of the National Youth Employment Plan and to ensure lasting employment for young persons who enter the labour market.

Micro-enterprises and cooperatives. The informal economy. The Government indicates that microfinance is used to promote self-employment and ensure that households have a sustainable income. The Committee notes that the credits provided in 2010 by PRONAMYPE amounted to a little over US$3 million. The Committee once again invites the Government to indicate the manner in which the loans provided by PRONAMYPE have been converted into sources of sustainable employment. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the initiatives to promote micro-enterprises and cooperatives have had an impact on improving the working conditions of the those engaged in the informal economy.

Export processing zones. The Government’s report contains the information provided by the Costa Rican Coalition for Development Initiatives indicating that in 2010 some 7,432 new jobs were created in export processing zones. The Committee hopes that in its next report the Government will provide updated information on the contribution of these zones to the creation of sustainable and high-quality employment.

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