Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Slovenia (Ratification: 1992)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Active labour market measures and employment policy. The Committee notes the Government’s report for the period ending May 2012, which includes detailed replies to the 2011 direct request and observations of the Association of Employers of Slovenia (ZDS). It notes that the provisions of the Labour Market Regulation Act (ZUTD) concerning the active employment policy entered into force on 1 January 2012. The primary aims of the ZUTD are to increase social security of jobseekers, establish a network of providers enabling a quick response to dynamic changes in the labour market, increase the efficiency of active employment policy measures, and reduce administrative burdens for companies and persons in the labour market. In addition, the ZUTD introduces the active employment policy (AEP) guidelines, the basis for a strategic document that the Government will adopt for a four-year period after consultation with the social partners. Furthermore, the Government describes in its report the modifications introduced to unemployment benefits in reply to the observations of the ZDS. With respect to unemployment trends, the Government indicates that the average duration of unemployment has grown continuously since February 2011. The registered unemployment level was 10.5 per cent in July 2010, 11.8 per cent at the end of 2010, and 11.5 per cent in July 2011. The Committee notes that the unemployment rate continued to rise and reached 12.2 per cent in November 2012; 11.6 per cent for men and 12.9 per cent for women. The Government reports that the scope of the AEP measures in 2012 are to be similar as in 2011, which is necessary in view of the unemployment trends. Funds earmarked for the implementation were largely allocated for direct employment measures and measures that increase the employability of the unemployed most efficiently. The number of people to be included in AEP measures in 2012 is 58,255 persons, and 14,400 persons are to be employed in June 2013 as a direct result of these measures. Furthermore, two comprehensive evaluations of the programmes and projects of the active employment policy are being prepared. One evaluation is targeted at the efficiency of active employment policy programmes co-financed by the European Social Fund, while the other was initiated in the framework of the Target Research Programmes of the Slovenian Research Agency and includes a systematic analysis of implementation. The Committee invites the Government to provide information in its next report on the impact of the employment policies and measures implemented to promote full and productive employment, in collaboration with the social partners. It also invites the Government to include in its next report information on the implementation of specific measures promoting the return of long-term unemployed persons to the labour market.

Young persons. The Government reports that the unemployment rate of persons under the age of 25 remains relatively low in the country. The share of unemployed persons under 25 years of age in the entire structure of unemployed persons decreased from 9.3 per cent at the end of 2011 to 7.9 per cent in May 2012. The Government indicates that the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs implemented several programmes, co-financed by the European Social Fund, that include young persons as the key target group. The programmes included training, education and employment promotion. It also indicates that a new programme for young persons is in its final phase of development, a programme with similar contents as its previous in-service training programme. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the impact of the measures taken to increase opportunities for young persons to find lasting employment.

Older workers. The Government reports that unemployment of older workers increased due to the pension system reform, as a higher number of persons have registered as unemployed 24 months before they fulfilled formal retirement conditions. The Committee notes that several active employment policy measures include older unemployed persons as a target group. The Government indicates that there is a general increase in the integration of older unemployed persons in active employment policy programmes, such as programmes promoting labour and social inclusion and social entrepreneurship programmes. Key research findings provided by the Government indicate that the total number of all unemployed persons participating in active employment policy measures at the monthly level has halved in the first months of 2012 when compared to the same period in 2011. The Committee invites the Government to continue to include information on the results of the measures implemented to increase the participation of older workers in the labour market.

Education and training. The Committee notes that section 30(1) of the ZUTD provides that education shall be carried out as informal and formal education. It also notes the education and training programmes provided in the Government’s report. In the framework of the Education and Training Programme for the Unemployed, two public invitations for the promotion of education and training of employees of companies were published in 2011. The goal of the programme is to stimulate employers to invest in their employees in order to improve qualifications, increase mobility and employability. The project will be implemented until the end of 2013 and a total of 30,000 persons are expected to participate. The Committee invites the Government to supply information on the measures taken within the framework of education and training policies and on their impact on the employability and competitiveness of the labour force, as well as the involvement of the social partners in this process.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Government indicates that it has developed a culture of dialogue in the form of round table discussions. The Committee notes with interest that one such discussion held in July 2012 between the Government and social partners focused on the efficiency and potential improvements of the existing employment programmes targeting young persons. The Government further indicates that the activity level of trade unions, especially trade unions of young persons, has noticeably increased in designing active employment policy programmes. Trade unions monitor the implementation, actively participate in discussions and provide proposals for changes in programmes and necessary future steps. The Committee invites the Government to indicate in its next report the measures taken to ensure the participation of workers’ and employers’ organizations in the formulation and implementation of employment policies and the results thereof. Please provide examples of employment policies and measures addressed and decisions reached through tripartite consultations.