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

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Panama (Ratification: 1970)

The Committee notes the observations of the National Confederation of United Independent Unions (CONUSI), received on 31 August 2018. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes with interest the series of measures adopted by the Government in collaboration with the social partners to achieve the objectives established in the Convention. The Government refers to the adoption, on 30 March 2017, of the National Strategic Plan with the “Panama 2030” State Vision, achieved through the active participation of stakeholders such as the National Council of Organized Workers (CONATO) and the National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEPC). The Plan brings the Government Strategic Plan 2015–19 and the priorities of the National Development Dialogue (CND) into line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its objectives include inclusive and sustainable growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, as well as the promotion of inclusive and equitable quality education. Furthermore, in December 2016, a cooperation and technical assistance agreement was signed between the ILO and the Ministry of Labour, with the aim of implementing the recommendations of the High Commission on Employment, in particular, strengthening the technical training system in Panama and guaranteeing better quality and more informed labour market access, thus creating skilled and sustainable employment. In this regard, the action plan on technical education and vocational training entitled the “Preparing Panama Programme” was established with a view to accelerating the implementation of the initiatives required to address the causes of the growing skills gap in the country’s labour market. The Programme is based on two interlinked lines of action (employment and training), in which employers’ and workers’ organizations are participating. The priorities of the action plan for this Programme include the linking of education and vocational training, the establishment of a national qualifications framework, and the identification and dissemination of trends and skills requirements in the labour market. In this regard, the Government refers to the creation, with the participation of the social partners, of the Labour Market Intelligence Unit (UNIMEL), to provide up-to-date, timely and relevant information on the situation in the labour market in Panama, with a view to designing, monitoring and improving employment policies. With reference to labour market trends, the Committee observes that, according to the Labour Market Survey of the National Statistical and Census Institute (INEC), between August 2016 and August 2017, the number of people in employment aged over 15 years increased from 1,770,711 to 1,785,849, while the unemployment rate increased from 5.5 per cent to 6.1 per cent. CONUSI maintains that the statistical information on the labour market was scattered and did not allow for an accurate evaluation of the impact of the measures adopted to promote employment. In this regard, the Committee observes that the Government does not provide any up-to-date statistical information on the employment situation in the informal economy. Lastly, the Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government on the consultations held with the social partners on employment and technical training. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures adopted to achieve the objectives of the Convention, including those adopted under the National Strategic Plan with the “Panama 2030” State Vision, and the action plan on technical education and vocational training entitled the “Preparing Panama Programme”. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide up-to-date statistical information on developments in the labour market, particularly the rates of labour force participation, employment, unemployment and underemployment, in both the formal and informal economy, disaggregated by sex and age. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the consultations held with the social partners on the matters covered by the Convention.