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

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Suriname (Ratification: 1976)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Consultation of social partners. The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report received in October 2012, including replies to the matters raised in the 2010 direct request. The Government reports that the Foundation for Productive Work Units (SPWE) is one of the institutions through which active employment policy is implemented. The SPWE has a role in the execution of government policy for entrepreneurs through training and awareness. Young persons are also being targeted during fairs in which the SPWE participates. In order to stimulate employment, the Government indicates that the Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment started visiting different areas in the country where no labour offices are located nearby. The Labour Exchange Bureau, the SPWE and the Foundation for Labour Mobilization and Development (SAO) will be engaged jointly in these visits. The Government reports that one of the goals of these visits is to register persons seeking employment. The Government further indicates that a project was implemented in 2010 in cooperation with UNICEF in order to improve the matching of persons seeking work and jobs; improve the knowledge, skills, attitudes and motivation of persons seeking work; and eliminate social barriers hindering access to the labour market. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the number of employed persons reached 131,350 in 2010, while in the same year the number of unemployed persons was measured at 10,749 and discouraged workers accounted for 6,542 persons. The Government states that unemployment was measured at 8 or 12 per cent in 2010 according to the strict or relaxed definitions. Furthermore, the Government indicates that the consultation of persons affected is not incorporated in the formulation and implementation of employment policies. Policy programmes are formulated, adapted and implemented based on statistics. The Government adds that a national report on the informal economy was launched in 2007, and in this regard several consultations were held. The information contained in this report is used in the formulation and implementation of employment policy. The Committee recalls that Article 3 of the Convention requires consultations with representatives of all persons affected, and particularly representatives of employers and workers, in the formulation and implementation of employment policies. It is the joint responsibility of the Government and the representative organizations of employers and workers to ensure that the representatives of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups of the active population are associated as closely as possible with the formulation and implementation of measures of which they should be the prime beneficiaries. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on measures taken to implement an active employment policy and to match employers and persons seeking employment in rural areas. It also invites the Government to include updated information on trends in the labour market, particularly levels and trends relating to employment, unemployment and underemployment in the country. The Committee also requests the Government to supply detailed information in its next report on the manner in which the social partners are consulted regarding the formulation and implementation of employment policies.

Support to small and medium-sized enterprises. In reply to the previous direct request, the Government indicates that the SPWE has executed some measures to further the creation of small enterprises through the continuation of the Jep’ Kraka Ju Baka (JKJB-Fund) for small businesses and the continuation of the possibility of leasing production units at a low cost. The Government reports that 63 small business entrepreneurs have benefited from the JKJB-Fund. It also reports on other measures assisting small enterprises, such as the Competitiveness Enhancement Programme which aims to assist small enterprises with a growth potential in the agriculture and tourism sectors. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on measures taken to support the establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises and their results in stimulating employment.

Women’s employment. Education and vocational training. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the training programmes held and the number of participants. It notes that there are more women than men participating in these programmes. However, women continue to predominate in training programmes leading to occupations traditionally held by women, such as cooking, cleaning and childcare services. The Government reports that since 2010, the Labour Exchange Department requires persons seeking employment to participate in a training programme before being placed. It adds that unemployed persons lack certain qualifications according to employers. The programme is focused on topics which include: basic rights and duties of workers, social skills, and writing résumés. The Government further reports that between August 2010 and August 2012, a total of 90 training programmes have been organized by the SPWE and 1,188 potential entrepreneurs were trained (497 men and 691 women). The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the results of its technical and vocational training programmes in terms of providing employment opportunities to its beneficiaries. It also invites the Government to provide information on the participation of women in the labour market and on the measures ensuring free choice of employment, giving workers the fullest possible opportunity to qualify for and use their skills, in accordance with Article 1(2)(c) of the Convention.