Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Panama (Ratification: 1970)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Reorganization of the employment office network. In response to the observation made in 2011, the Government indicates in its report received in December 2012 that the Ministry of Labour and Employment Development (MITRADEL) is working with the Public Employment Service on the decentralization of Panama’s employment offices and, in coordination with the National Institute of Vocational Training for Human Development (INADEH), in setting up offices at the headquarters of INADEH’s training centres. The Government refers to the signing of two inter-institutional cooperation agreements between MITRADEL and the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities in December 2011 and between MITRADEL and INADEH in September 2010 for the provision of adequate physical and personal space to organize occupational training and job placement programmes and projects. Another purpose of the agreements is to collect data and conduct research on the needs of the labour market. The Government adds details of the operational workplans being implemented by the National Employment Department (DGE), along with statistical data on the implementation of programmes by various departments. The report also provides information on four assessments by the Labour Market Observatory and Employment Research Department of the labour insertion problems of different categories of workers and regions in particular. The outcome of this process was the registration of some 50,974 requests for employment and the placement of some 63,529 workers between July 2009 and July 2012. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information on the number of regional and local public employment offices and on the status of the decentralization process. The Committee asks the Government to continue including in its report up-to-date statistical information on the applications for employment received, the vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment.

Participation of the social partners. The Government indicates in its report that close communication and collaboration are maintained with the social partners, especially the employers’ sector, in devising specific activities as part of the programmes organized by the Public Employment Service, such as special recruitment drives at the request of employers, the signing of pre-contractual agreements under the Labour Insertion Support Programme and the holding of job fairs. The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report examples of how the social partners participate in the activities of the Public Employment Service. The Committee recalls that Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention call for the creation of advisory committees to ensure the full cooperation of representatives of employers and workers in the organization and operation of the employment service.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Reorganization of the employment office network. In response to the observation made in 2011, the Government indicates in its report received in December 2012 that the Ministry of Labour and Employment Development (MITRADEL) is working with the Public Employment Service on the decentralization of Panama’s employment offices and, in coordination with the National Institute of Vocational Training for Human Development (INADEH), in setting up offices at the headquarters of INADEH’s training centres. The Government refers to the signing of two inter-institutional cooperation agreements between MITRADEL and the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities in December 2011 and between MITRADEL and INADEH in September 2010 for the provision of adequate physical and personal space to organize occupational training and job placement programmes and projects. Another purpose of the agreements is to collect data and conduct research on the needs of the labour market. The Government adds details of the operational workplans being implemented by the National Employment Department (DGE), along with statistical data on the implementation of programmes by various departments. The report also provides information on four assessments by the Labour Market Observatory and Employment Research Department of the labour insertion problems of different categories of workers and regions in particular. The outcome of this process was the registration of some 50,974 requests for employment and the placement of some 63,529 workers between July 2009 and July 2012. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information on the number of regional and local public employment offices and on the status of the decentralization process. The Committee asks the Government to continue including in its report up-to-date statistical information on the applications for employment received, the vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment.

Participation of the social partners. The Government indicates in its report that close communication and collaboration are maintained with the social partners, especially the employers’ sector, in devising specific activities as part of the programmes organized by the Public Employment Service, such as special recruitment drives at the request of employers, the signing of pre-contractual agreements under the Labour Insertion Support Programme and the holding of job fairs. The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report examples of how the social partners participate in the activities of the Public Employment Service. The Committee recalls that Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention call for the creation of advisory committees to ensure the full cooperation of representatives of employers and workers in the organization and operation of the employment service.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

Repetition

Reorganization of the employment office network. The Committee notes the detailed information on activities to modernize the employment service which were undertaken in 2006–09. In a report received in October 2010, the Government refers to the information and documentation sent with regard to the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122). In relation to the observation of 2004 concerning Convention No. 88, the Government indicates that the model put forward in August 2006 included the proposal to decentralize the employment offices. The Government reports that, in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention, in August 2008 an evaluation was made of the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities relating to the proposal of the public employment service. Difficulties were identified with regard to the area of employment in the regional offices, which should be given greater priority. Plans were also made to strengthen the Directorate-General of Employment in order to have an optimum public employment service that promotes, organizes and facilitates public access to a modern service. The Committee invites the Government to continue to supply information in its next report on Convention No. 88 on the progress made in ensuring that full effect is given to Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to include up-to-date statistical information on the number of public employment offices established, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices at national and local levels (Part IV of the report form).

Participation of the social partners. In its observation of 2004, the Committee noted the collaboration between the Ministry of Labour (MITRADEL) and the social partners in relation to certain matters covered by the Convention. The report received in October 2010 does not contain any information on the participation of the social partners to ensure the effective functioning of a free public employment service. The Committee refers to the 2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments, in which it highlighted the importance of the public services’ direct and constant interaction with employers and jobseekers (General Survey, paragraph 208). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which the social partners have been involved in the activities of the public employment service. The Committee recalls that, under the provisions of Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention, advisory committees must be set up to ensure the full cooperation of employers’ and workers’ representatives in the organization and operation of the employment service.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Reorganization of the employment office network. The Committee notes the detailed information on activities to modernize the employment service which were undertaken in 2006–09. In a report received in October 2010, the Government refers to the information and documentation sent with regard to the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122). In relation to the observation of 2004 concerning Convention No. 88, the Government indicates that the model put forward in August 2006 included the proposal to decentralize the employment offices. The Government reports that, in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention, in August 2008 an evaluation was made of the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities relating to the proposal of the public employment service. Difficulties were identified with regard to the area of employment in the regional offices, which should be given greater priority. Plans were also made to strengthen the Directorate-General of Employment in order to have an optimum public employment service that promotes, organizes and facilitates public access to a modern service. The Committee invites the Government to continue to supply information in its next report on Convention No. 88 on the progress made in ensuring that full effect is given to Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to include up-to-date statistical information on the number of public employment offices established, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices at national and local levels (Part IV of the report form).

Participation of the social partners. In its observation of 2004, the Committee noted the collaboration between the Ministry of Labour (MITRADEL) and the social partners in relation to certain matters covered by the Convention. The report received in October 2010 does not contain any information on the participation of the social partners to ensure the effective functioning of a free public employment service. The Committee refers to the 2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments, in which it highlighted the importance of the public services’ direct and constant interaction with employers and jobseekers (General Survey, paragraph 208). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which the social partners have been involved in the activities of the public employment service. The Committee recalls that, under the provisions of Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention, advisory committees must be set up to ensure the full cooperation of employers’ and workers’ representatives in the organization and operation of the employment service.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2012.]

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

1. Modernization of the employment service. The Committee notes the information and statistical data provided in the Government’s report received in September 2004, and the report of the Directorate-General of Employment for 1999-2004 communicated by the Government in the annex to its last report. It notes in particular the setting up of an electronic labour exchange with the assistance of ILO projects (Modernizing the labour administrations of Central America (MATAC) and Labour information and analysis system for Latin America (SIAL)), which enabled the registration of 21,438 new applications for employment, 2,676 vacant posts and the placement of 1,520 persons in the labour market. The Committee also notes the measures adopted to promote employment and vocational self-integration, and requests the Government to continue to provide any relevant information on the application of the Convention in practice, in accordance with Part VI of the report form.

2. Reorganization of the employment office network. The Government indicates that no study has been undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of the various employment offices with a view to reorganizing the network. The Committee requests the Government to indicate progress made in the installation of employment offices in each of the regions of the country and to communicate the results of the studies undertaken in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention.

3. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes with interest that in reply to the comments which it has been formulating for many years, the Government mentions a collaboration agreement concluded in 2000 between the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MITRADEL) and the Labour Foundation, one objective of which is the strengthening of social dialogue. Various measures have been adopted to this end, such as the promotion of the Labour Foundation at national and international levels, the setting up of workshops on its role at international level and the appeal to the Labour Foundation as assistant to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare in the area of social dialogue. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures adopted, in collaboration with the social partners, to ensure the effective functioning of a free public employment service having a network of employment offices in sufficient numbers to meet the requirements of employers and workers in each of the geographical areas (Articles 1 to 5 of the Convention).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending on 30 June 1998, received in March 1999. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the objectives set and progress made by the General Directorate of Employment regarding the establishment of employment offices in the various geographical areas of the country (Article 3 of the Convention). The Committee trusts that the Government will forward the results of the studies under way to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of each employment office. Please also furnish any available information published on the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices (Part IV of the report form).

Articles 4 and 5. In reply to the Committee's previous comments, the Government states that the public employment service maintains no arrangements through advisory committees. However, talks are under way with a view to the conclusion of a coordination agreement between the Labour Foundation and the General Directorate of Employment of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. The Committee emphasizes that these Articles of the Convention provide for the establishment of one or more national advisory committees and, where necessary, regional and local committees, to enlist the cooperation of employer and worker representatives in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy. The Committee again expresses the hope that in its next report the Government will be in a position to supply information on how the coordination agreement between the Labour Foundation and the General Directorate of Employment has given effect to the abovementioned provisions of the Convention. Please continue to supply information on progress made in this regard, specifying in particular, as required by the report form, the number of advisory committees established nationally and, if applicable, regionally and locally, how they are constituted and the procedure adopted for the appointment of employer and worker representatives.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its earlier comments.

Article 3 of the Convention. The Government describes the efforts it has been making, in spite of structural and economical difficulties, with a view to maintaining and expanding a national system of employment offices. The Committee notes from the Government's report that steps have been taken by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to develop employment activities in the Regions of Panamà Oeste (Chorrera) and Coclè. It asks the Government to continue to supply information on any further development of the national employment service. The Committee trusts that measures will be taken in the near future to ensure that the network of local offices of the employment service would be sufficient to serve the employers and workers in each geographical area of the country, as required by paragraph 1 of this Article. It asks the Government to provide, in its next report, information on any progress achieved in this regard.

Articles 4 and 5. The Committee notes the information concerning the collaboration of the National Directorate of Employment of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare with organizations of employers and workers in the field of employment. It recalls once again that these Articles of the Convention provide for the establishment of one or more national advisory committees, and where necessary regional and local committees, for the cooperation of representatives of employers and workers in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy. The committee trusts that measures will be taken in the near future to give effect to the Convention on this point and asks the Government to report any progress made in this connection, indicating in particular, when the time comes, as requested by the report form, the number of advisory committees established nationally and (where necessary) regionally and locally, how they are constituted, and the procedure adopted for the appointment of employer and worker representatives on these committees.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its earlier comments.

Article 3 of the Convention. The Government describes the efforts it has been making, in spite of structural and economical difficulties, with a view to maintaining and expanding a national system of employment offices. The Committee notes from the Government's report that steps have been taken by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to develop employment activities in the Regions of Panamà Oeste (Chorrera) and Coclè. It asks the Government to continue to supply information on any further development of the national employment service. The Committee trusts that measures will be taken in the near future to ensure that the network of local offices of the employment service would be sufficient to serve the employers and workers in each geographical area of the country, as required by paragraph 1 of this Article. It asks the Government to provide, in its next report, information on any progress achieved in this regard.

Articles 4 and 5. The Committee notes the information concerning the collaboration of the National Directorate of Employment of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare with organizations of employers and workers in the field of employment. It recalls once again that these Articles of the Convention provide for the establishment of one or more national advisory committees, and where necessary regional and local committees, for the cooperation of representatives of employers and workers in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy. The committee trusts that measures will be taken in the near future to give effect to the Convention on this point and asks the Government to report any progress made in this connection, indicating in particular, when the time comes, as requested by the report form, the number of advisory committees established nationally and (where necessary) regionally and locally, how they are constituted, and the procedure adopted for the appointment of employer and worker representatives on these committees.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

The Committee takes note of the information supplied by the Government in reply to its earlier comments.

Article 3 of the Convention. The Government indicates that the serious economic crisis experienced by the country since 1987 worsened the employment situation of the economically active population and led to the increase of unemployment and underemployment. The Committee notes from the Government's report that the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has taken steps with a view to ensure that the employment service of the National Directorate of Employment could satisfy the needs of each of the regions of the country. It also notes the creation in 1988 of the office to support self-employment which was set up within the framework of the National Directorate of Employment, as well as the detailed information on the activities of this newly established office. The Committee hopes that the Government will continue to supply information on any further development of the national employment services, with special emphasis on the measures taken to ensure that the network of local offices of the employment service would be sufficient to serve the employers and workers in each of the regions of the country, as required by the provision of paragraph 1 of this Article. Please state what provisions have been made for a review of the networks of employment offices and their revision, where necessary, to meet the changing requirements of the economy and the working population (paragraph 2).

Articles 4 and 5. The Government states that the National Directorate of Employment is working in close collaboration with the employers' and workers' organisations of the country and gives examples of such a collaboration, mostly in the form of various meetings and seminars, including a tripartite seminar on the employment of disabled persons with the participation of the ILO regional adviser on the vocational rehabilitation of the disabled. While noting this information, the Committee would like to draw the Government's attention to the fact that these Articles provide for the establishment of one or more national advisory committees and where necessary regional and local committees for the cooperation of representatives of employers and workers in the organisation and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy. The Committee therefore asks the Government once again to provide information on measures taken or envisaged with a view to establish such advisory committees, on the scope of their activities and on the procedure for the appointment of employer and worker representatives on these committees.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee noted the information provided in the report to the effect that there are four employment agencies in operation and that at present the Government is contemplating maintaining and strengthening the existing system of employment agencies rather than expanding it. The Committee trusts that the Government will be in a position to supply information in its next report concerning the steps taken to ensure that the network of local offices of the employment service are capable of catering for the needs of each of the regions of the country as provided for in paragraph 1 of this Article.

Articles 4 and 5. With reference to the previous comments of the Committee, the Government stated that it was not possible to set up the planned national advisory committee due to the current political situation. The Committee noted the information supplied by the Government to the effect that the National Directorate of Employment had been working in close collaboration with the employers' and workers' organisations of the country in order to achieve the effective organisation and operation of the national employment service. Please supply additional information with regard to the way in which co-operation and consultation with the representatives of employers and workers is organised, with particular reference to recent developments, and concerning the setting up of advisory committees such as those required by the provisions of the Articles in questions.