Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Dominican Republic (Ratification: 2001)

Articles 1 to 3 of the Convention. Design and implementation of an active employment policy. The Government indicates in its report that the National Employment Commission, a tripartite body which has created a space for inter-institutional coordination under the leadership of the Ministry of Labour, approved a National Employment Plan, which was launched in October 2014. The Committee notes the observations made in September 2014 by the Employers’ Confederation of the Dominican Republic (COPARDOM), indicating that, as a result of the discussions and work of the National Employment Commission, the main lines have been established for an employment policy and the assessment of training needs in local areas and specific zones of the country. The Government enumerates the consultations held with the various economic sectors for the development of the National Employment Plan. The Committee notes that the economy has undergone sustained growth (4.1 per cent in 2013 and 3.9 per cent in 2014), but that the rate of open unemployment (the national rate, excluding hidden unemployment) rose from 6.5 per cent in 2012 to 7 per cent in 2013. The Committee also notes the updated employment data published by the Dominican Labour Market Observatory. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the National Employment Plan and on the manner in which its application has made it possible to achieve, in consultation with the social partners, the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide a copy of the National Employment Plan.

Coordination of training and employment policies. The Government indicates that the National Employment System Support Project (PASNE) places emphasis on training for the labour market integration of young people, which allows enterprises to provide secure employment in exchange for the payment of a minimum public sector wage for those who have received training. The Government also refers to the programmes implemented by the National Institute for Technical Vocational Training (INFOTEP) and the National Education Reform Charter 2014–30. The Committee requests the Government to provide more detailed information on the results of the measures adopted for the coordination of vocational training and education policies with prospective employment opportunities. Please also indicate the results of INFOTEP activities in terms of the vocational integration of the beneficiaries of its programmes.

Vulnerable groups. The Government refers to the pamphlets, programme documents and projects of the Ministry of Labour to facilitate the labour market integration of young people. In July 2014, the General Directorate of Employment launched an entrepreneurship course for small and micro-enterprises intended for persons with disabilities. The course has been designed for young unemployed persons between the ages of 18 and 35 so that they can develop their own business plans. The Government adds that it is implementing a course for women heads of households. The Committee requests the Government to provide an evaluation of the results achieved in terms of labour market integration by the measures implemented for young people, women and workers in the poorest sectors, in both the informal economy and the rural sector. Please also indicate the measures adopted to prevent abuses in the hiring of foreign workers in the country and of national workers who emigrate to find employment opportunities abroad.