Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Georgia (Ratification: 1993)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy in coordination with poverty reduction. In its previous comments, the Committee invited the Government to provide information on the results of the implementation of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2011–15 in terms of employment creation and poverty alleviation. In response, the Government reports that, to promote the national policy on employment and poverty reduction, the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs (MLHSA), together with other ministries, launched various programmes aimed at promoting the employment of specific groups of workers, including young persons and persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that various measures have been taken by the Government as part of its efforts to develop and implement an active employment policy, including the Action Plan on the National Strategy for the Formation of the Labour Market 2015–18, whose main objective is to facilitate the effective functioning of the labour market and seeks to improve the legal framework in the area of labour and employment. The Government has also implemented measures on education and training, including (i) the “Concept on the Development of Publicly Available Services for Continuing Professional Counselling and Career Planning in Georgia 2015–17 and Action Plan for its Implementation”, which seeks to provide continuous professional counselling and career planning; (ii) the “Active Policy Strategy for Labour Market and Action Plan 2016–18”, whose main aim is to contribute to the population’s labour integration and labour market opportunities; (iii) the Vocational Education Reform Strategy, whose objective is to fit vocational education programmes into meeting the labour market needs and to create a flexible vocational training system; and (iv) the “Capacity Development for Employment Support Services and the National Programme for Vocational Training – retraining of Jobseekers”. The Government also reports that as of 2016, steps have been taken to develop and implement a labour market information system to monitor the labour market, evaluate the impact of programmes implemented and ensure coordination between the vocational education system and labour market needs. The Government reports that the Labour Market Analysis Division Unit has been established in the MLHSA, which is responsible for ensuring the collection and exchange of labour market information between state agencies. In respect of information regarding employment trends, the Committee notes that, according to the ILO statistical database, in 2016, the unemployment rate in the country stood at 11.8 per cent. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the abovementioned policies and programmes. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities. The Government is also requested to provide updated statistical data on trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment, disaggregated by age and sex.

Particular categories of workers. The Government indicates that one of the main points of focus of its “Active Policy Strategy for Labour Market and 2016–18 Action Plan” is to improve the situation of persons vulnerable to decent work deficits. In this context, the Government refers to the implementation of the Employment Assistance Programme for Persons with Disabilities, which provides incentives aimed at assisting persons with disabilities to access employment in the open labour market. In respect of young persons, the Government refers to the National Youth Policy which seeks to promote equal opportunities for young people, improving their living conditions and facilitating their mobility. The Committee requests the Government to provide more detailed information on the activities and impact of active employment measures targeting workers vulnerable to decent work deficits, including young persons, persons with disabilities, rural workers and those in the informal economy. It also requests the Government to provide statistical data on the levels of employment, unemployment and underemployment of these particular categories of workers.

Regional development. The Committee notes the different programmes launched by the Government to provide training for people living in regions and municipalities, including the National Youth Policy and the “Concept on the Development of Publicly Available Services for Continuing Professional Counselling and Career Planning in Georgia 2015–17 Action Plan”, which provides financial support for education and mobility and access to career planning and counselling services, respectively. The Committee refers to its previous comments and requests the Government to provide more ample information on the impact of the Village Support Programme on regional development and on the outcome of the New Economics Opportunity Programme 2011–15. It also requests the Government to provide information on the adoption of a new regional development strategy to contribute to achieving balanced regional development focused on the creation of lasting, sustainable employment. The Committee also requests the Government to provide statistics on the impact of the National Youth Policy and the Concept on Development of Publicly Available Services for Continuing Professional Counselling and Career Planning in Georgia 2015–17 Action Plan in the context of regional development.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Government reports that it has no information in respect of consultative formal meetings celebrated between the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia and other relevant stakeholders. It adds that the Tripartite Commission of Social Partners was established by Ordinance No. 258 of 7 October 2013 to develop activities in this regard. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the nature and frequency of consultations held between its ministries, social partners and relevant stakeholders concerning the formulation and implementation of employment policies and programmes. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the composition, mandate and activities of the Tripartite Commission of Social Partners, including whether it is consulted on the development and review of employment policies and programmes.