Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

Paid Educational Leave Convention, 1974 (No. 140) - Nicaragua (Ratification: 1981)

Articles 2, 3 and 6 of the Convention. Formulation and application of a policy designed to promote the granting of paid educational leave. Participation of the social partners. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide updated information on the measures taken to promote the granting of paid educational leave. The Committee notes that the Government once again provides information on the functions of the National Technological Institute (INATEC) and the various forms of training and education that it provides. The Government reports that the number of participants in INATEC training courses increased from 339,000 in 2013 to 448,519 in 2017. Nevertheless, the Committee notes that the Government has not provided information on the measures taken to promote the granting of paid educational leave within the meaning of Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. The Government also has not indicated the number of persons who have participated in training and skills development activities during the working day. In that regard, the Committee recalls “the essential requirement that educational or training activities should take place during working hours. The time devoted to these activities must be included in working hours if there is to be genuine educational leave …” (see the 1991 General Survey, paragraph 349). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the formulation and application, in cooperation with the social partners, of policies and measures to promote the granting of paid educational leave for the purposes of vocational training at any level, general, social and civic education, and trade union education (Articles 2 and 6), and to provide the relevant texts. The Committee also requests the Government to provide updated statistical information, disaggregated by sex, on the workers who have received paid educational leave (Part V of the report form).

Article 4. Coordination of general policies on employment with the policy to promote paid educational leave. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to supply information on the measures adopted to coordinate the national policy for paid educational leave with general policies on employment, education, training and working time. The Government reports that, under the National Plan for Human Development 2012–16 (PNDH), training provided by the INATEC is free. Furthermore, scholarships are granted to students and educational materials are provided for their training and development during practical classes. The Government indicates that paid educational leave equates to education being free of charge at all levels. However, the Committee observes that the Government has not provided information on how the national policy on paid educational leave is coordinated with general policies on employment, education, training and working time. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures adopted with a view to coordinating the national policy on paid educational leave with general policies on employment, education and vocational training.