Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Ecuador (Ratification: 1972)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the implementation of the National Plan for Good Living 2013–17, one of the objectives of which is to guarantee decent work in all its forms. Under the Plan, public policy efforts have to be aimed at ensuring fair remuneration, a healthy working environment and job stability without discrimination, giving priority to traditionally excluded groups. The Plan provides for, inter alia, the creation of incentives in economic activities, the strengthening of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises, support for autonomous governments for local job creation and the incorporation of informal workers into the formal sector. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the manner in which the National Plan for Good Living has contributed to achieving the employment objectives set forth in the Convention and to integrating workers from vulnerable groups (women, informal workers, rural workers and indigenous peoples) into the labour market. Please also indicate the manner in which the employment measures, policies and programmes adopted are coordinated with other economic and social policy measures.

Labour market trends. The Government indicates that, in 2012, 42.8 per cent of the economically active population (EAP) were in the labour market in full employment and that 50 per cent were underemployed. In urban areas, 52.3 per cent of the EAP were engaged in work, compared to 23.3 per cent in rural areas. Some 47.3 per cent of the men capable of working were fully employed, compared to 35.9 per cent of women. During the period 2007–12, the average unemployment rate was 5.5 per cent. In 2012, 4.1 per cent of the EAP were unemployed. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing updated statistical data on trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, with an indication of the extent to which they affect young persons, women and indigenous peoples.

Youth employment. The Committee notes that the youth unemployment rate (persons between the ages of 18 and 29) was 9.5 per cent. The Government provides information on the programmes aimed at integrating young persons, especially those in vulnerable situations, into the labour market. The National Plan for Good Living provides for support for youth undertakings and for training in technology. The Government indicates that between 2007 and 2014, 13,701 interns were placed in 199 public institutions. Some 39.64 per cent of all such interns have entered the labour market. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the results achieved by the measures taken to integrate young persons into the labour market.

Popular and solidarity economy. The Committee notes that one of the Government’s lines of action for creating productive employment is support for popular and solidarity economic practices. Forms of solidarity organizations include micro-enterprise associations, federations of street vendors, communal enterprises and community collection centres. The Government indicates that the popular economy generates approximately 60 per cent of total employment at the national level. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the manner in which the measures taken to promote the popular and solidarity economy have helped to generate employment, especially in less economically developed areas.

Regional development and rural employment. The Government indicates that the National Plan for Good Living makes provision for the implementation of territorial programmes for the development of production in less developed areas, as well as mechanisms to promote small-scale activities. Please provide updated information on the impact of the measures taken to promote the creation of productive employment in rural areas.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Government indicates that representatives of the relevant ministries, employers’ and workers’ representatives, members of the scientific community and representatives of the “third sector”, consisting of indigenous organizations, cooperatives and non governmental organizations, participate in coordinating productive transformation policies. The Government adds that the National Plan for Good Living recognizes the need to promote tripartite collaboration in planning and vocational training so as to increase employability and labour productivity. The Committee invites the Government to indicate the manner in which the consultations held with the social partners and the views of other persons affected, particularly those of representatives of the rural sector and the informal economy, have been taken into account with a view to developing and implementing a national employment policy.