Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Bahamas (Ratification: 1976)

The Committee notes the Government’s brief report received in November 2012. The Government indicates that there are public employment offices on the islands of Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Andros and Exuma. It reports that it is in the process of increasing the number of offices by two. During the period 1 October 2011–31 October 2012, there were 5,193 persons registered with the Employment Exchange, and out of these 1,537 persons were referred to jobs. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide statistical information concerning the number of public employment offices established, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified, and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices (Part IV of the report form).

Participation of the social partners. The Government previously indicated that the Joint Tripartite Advisory Committee (JTAC) for employment service and labour relations was instituted via ministerial regulations. It also indicated that the representatives of employers and workers who participate in the JTAC were nominated by their respective organizations. The Committee refers to the 2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments, in which it highlighted the importance of the public services’ direct and constant interaction with employers and jobseekers (General Survey, paragraph 208). The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the measures adopted, in collaboration with the social partners, within the framework of the JTAC, to ensure the effective functioning of a free public employment service (Articles 1–5 of the Convention).

Measures for particular categories of applicants for employment. The Committee previously noted that a draft programme aimed at creating more employment opportunities for persons with disabilities was before Cabinet. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the measures taken to meet adequately the needs of particular categories of applicants for employment, such as persons with disabilities (Article 7).

Cooperation with private employment agencies. The Government reported in September 2005 that it was in the process of drafting legislation to regulate private employment agencies. In its 2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments, the Committee indicated that the public and private employment services both contribute to the optimal functioning of the labour market and to the realization of the right to work. The Government might consider it useful to refer to the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181), and the accompanying Recommendation No. 188, which are the most recent instruments adopted by the International Labour Conference to formulate and establish conditions to promote cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies.

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