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

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

The Committee notes the Government’s detailed report received in September 2013, which includes observations made by the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (CM KOS). It notes that changes were made to the organisational structure and management of labour offices which have been merged into a single organisational unit of the state administration, the Labour Office, in order to improve the efficiency in the spheres of employment and state social support and to reduce operating costs of the network of public employment services. The CM KOS indicates that the reform negatively affected the employment services in terms of their scope and quality and, hence, the implementation of certain provisions of the Convention, in particular Articles 6, 7, 8 and 11 of the Convention. The CM KOS believes that the reform reduced the quality and availability of employment services, which is evidenced by the fact that the number of people involved in active employment policy programmes fell from 99,682 in 2011 to 54,450 in 2012. The CM KOS also criticizes the establishment of the shared recruitment scheme that essentially allows funding of private employment agencies through the public active labour market policy. It considers this to be an effort to reduce the role of the state and to privatize public services, which may lead to a further weakening of the functionality of public employment services. The Government indicates in its report that it takes note of the CM KOS position and approaches the issue with full respect to the current situation; it will therefore prepare and adopt measures aimed at improving the situation from the point of view of both jobseekers and employers. The Committee notes in this regard that the Government Resolution No. 581 of 31 July 2013 will increase the number of employees of the Labour Office by 319 additional workers, particularly in regions showing the highest unemployment rates. Another increase of 381 employees is planned after 1 January 2014. The Government indicates that changes in internal management have been undertaken with the Labour Office with a view to strengthen the delivery of service at all levels. Active labour market policies will thus be administered with greater efficiency by an increased number of staff in all regions. In its 2011 direct request on the application of the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181), the Committee invited the Government to provide information on the formulation, establishment, and periodical review of conditions to promote cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report on the Convention an evaluation of the changes made to the organisation of the public employment service in view of carrying out effectively the functions listed in Article 6 of the Convention. Please also provide information on the impact of the reforms introduced in 2013 with respect to the measures taken concerning the various occupations and industries, as well as particular categories of jobseekers, such as workers with disabilities (Article 7).

Articles 4 and 5. Cooperation of the social partners. The Government indicates that changes made to the organization of labour offices also triggered changes in the network of labour office advisory committees, which are now constituted at regional bureaus of the Labour Office. Sessions of the advisory committees, held approximately three times per year, are devoted mostly to the local implementation of national policies, use of active employment policy measures and their efficiency in practice, information on legislative changes and the situation of the labour market in the relevant region. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the involvement of the social partners in the organization and development of the employment service and in the development of an employment service policy.

Article 8. Special arrangements for young persons. The Government indicates that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, in cooperation with all interested parties, is preparing a conceptual solution to establish a Youth Guarantee in the Czech Republic, in accordance with the recommendation of the European Council. The Labour Office and its bureaus at the district and regional level have their active employment policy measures to support the transition of young people to the labour market, a group representing one of the key target groups of the employment policy. The Committee notes that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is also preparing new innovative employment policy measures, including: shared jobs, supporting employment with state companies and their contractors, cooperation with private employment agencies, and activation through volunteering. Moreover, the Committee notes the various types of internship programmes available for young people described in the report. The Government indicates that a significant problem for young people in the Czech Republic seems to result not only from their insufficient experience, but also from the inadequate structure of education branches. In order to match the qualifications offered with the labour market demand and to enhance professional mobility, the National Register of Vocational Qualifications (NSK) is being elaborated, linked to the National Occupations System. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the impact of the measures taken to meet the needs of young persons within the framework of the employment and vocational guidance services, allowing them to integrate the labour market.