Social Policy (Basic Aims and Standards) Convention, 1962 (No. 117) - Paraguay (Ratification: 1969)

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the measures implemented with a view to improving the living standards of the population. The Government refers to the adoption in 2014 of the Paraguay National Development Plan 2030 (PND), which guides Government action in the short and medium term around three objectives: poverty reduction and social development; inclusive economic growth; and the integration of Paraguay into the world. In particular, the PND envisages the implementation of a series of measures to achieve equitable social development and increase the well-being of the population by improving the efficiency and transparency of public services (such as education and health), as well as access to housing and housing conditions. The PND identifies as priority population groups for the implementation of these measures those that are vulnerable, such as women, young persons, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and older persons. The Government reports the continued implementation of the Public Policy for Social Development 2010–20, the objectives of which include ensuring the access of the whole population to universal social goods and services which consolidate sustainable development, as well as reducing poverty and social exclusion. The Public Policy for Social Development provides that all citizens shall benefit from improved well-being, a high level of human development and greater equity in the distribution of income. The Committee refers to its observation on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), in which it notes the various social programmes implemented to improve the living conditions of poor and extremely poor families, such as the cash transfer programmes with co-responsibility Tekopora and Abrazo, the inclusive socio-economic support programme Tenodera, and the pilot project “Incubating Opportunities Family by Family”. The Government also reports the implementation of the assistance programme for fishers within the national territory, which provides subsidies for poor and vulnerable fishers’ families during the closed season for fishing. Moreover, on 19 September 2018, the social protection system known as Vamos was launched with the technical support of the European Union (EU) within the framework of the EUROsocial+ programme. The Government indicates that the social protection system coordinates and articulates the strategies of the various institutions with a view to guaranteeing access to social benefits for all citizens. The social protection system is based on three pillars: social assistance (non-contributory), socio-labour inclusion (labour inclusion and regulation policies) and social security (contributory). The Committee notes that, according to the report of 27 January 2017 of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, over the past decade, the Paraguayan economy has grown by 5 per cent a year on average, which represents a higher level of growth than the majority of the neighbouring countries. During this period, there has also been an impressive reduction in poverty levels, which fell from 44 per cent in 2006 to 22 per cent in 2016. Nevertheless, the population living in extreme poverty, whose monthly per capita income does not cover the cost of a minimum food basket, amounts to approximately 687,000. Exclusion is greatest in rural areas, where extreme poverty rates are three times higher than in urban areas (A/HRC/34/48/Add.2, paragraphs 5 and 7). With reference to indigenous communities, the Committee notes that, in its concluding observations of 20 August 2019, the Human Rights Committee expressed concern at the high levels of poverty within these communities and the difficulties they face in access to education and health care, the slow progress made in registering and returning land and the consequent lack of comprehensive access to their lands and national resources (CCPR/C/PRY/CO/4, paragraph 44). The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information, including statistics disaggregated by sex and age, on the results achieved by the Paraguay National Development Plan 2030, (PND), the Public Policy for Social Development 2010–20 and the social protection system, and on any programmes and measures intended to ensure the improvement of the standards of living of the population of Paraguay (Article 2), especially for groups in vulnerable situations, such as women, young people, persons with disabilities, older persons, small-scale producers engaged in subsistence agriculture and indigenous communities. While noting the high percentage of the population living in extreme poverty, especially in rural areas and among indigenous communities, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that such measures take into account the essential needs of workers’ families, such as food and its nutritive value, housing, clothing, medical care and education (Article 5(2)). It also requests the Government to provide information on any measures adopted in this respect and their outcome.

Part III. Migrant workers. The Government reports the implementation of the project to strengthen the system for the administration of migration in Paraguay, with the technical support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Within the framework of this project, the National Migration Policy for the Republic of Paraguay was approved through Decree No. 4483/15 of 27 November 2015. Paragraph 62 of the National Migration Policy indicates that “immigrants and their family members who enter the country to stay temporarily or permanently shall be granted the same rights and constitutional and legal guarantees as nationals, including the right to decent work, social insurance, education and health, family reunion, the transmission and receipt of cash remittances in support of their families and access to justice and due process, within the framework of the corresponding laws.” In August 2016, a preliminary draft of the Migration Bill was submitted to the National Congress with the objective of restructuring, modernizing and adapting the administration of migration in Paraguay based on the approach of promoting the human rights of migrants. The Government also refers to the implementation, in collaboration with the IOM, of the project to strengthen Government capacities to combat trafficking in persons, which envisages the adoption of a series of measures with a view to combating trafficking in persons in the country, including the training of public officials, the preparation of a manual of procedures and the development of a system for the certification of victims of trafficking in persons, as well as a diagnostic analysis of trafficking of women and girls in Paraguay. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the situation with regard to the consideration of the preliminary draft of the Migration Bill and to provide a copy once it has been adopted. The Committee also requests the Government to provide detailed and updated information on the impact of the National Migration Policy of the Republic of Paraguay, and any measures adopted to ensure that the terms and conditions of employment of migrant workers, both nationals and non-nationals, living away from their homes, take account of their family needs. The Committee also requests the Government to provide statistical data, disaggregated by sex and age, on the number of national and non-national migrant workers living away from their homes.

Part IV. Remuneration of workers. The Committee notes that the Government refers to various provisions of the Labour Code, which regulate the arrangements and procedures to be followed for the payment of wages to workers, in accordance with Articles 10 and 11 of the Convention. With regard to deductions from wages, the Government refers to section 240 of the Labour Code, which sets out the grounds on which a portion of the worker’s wage can be deducted, withheld or repaid, such as advances on wages made by the employer and contributions to compulsory social insurance. The Government adds that it is planned to adopt a Bill to establish a limit on deductions from wages authorized for workers in the public and private sectors, which is currently before the Senate for approval. Finally, the Government refers to section 242 of the Labour Code, which establishes the maximum amount (30 per cent of the monthly remuneration of the worker) and the manner in which advances on wages are reimbursed, in accordance with Article 12(1) of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted with a view to facilitating the necessary supervision to ensure the proper payment of all wages earned and that employers keep registers of wage payments with a view to specifying the situation with regard to the payment of the wages of workers. The Committee also requests the Government to provide updated information on the situation with regard to the Bill to establish a limit on deductions from wages authorized for workers in the public and private sectors, and to provide a copy once it has been adopted.

Article 13. Voluntary forms of thrift. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed and updated information on the measures adopted to encourage wage earners and independent producers to engage in the forms of voluntary forms of thrift envisaged by the Convention. It also requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted to protect them from usury, and particularly to specify the measures adopted with a view to reducing rates of interest on loans by controlling the operations of money lenders and by increasing facilities for borrowing money for appropriate purposes through cooperative credit organizations or through institutions under the control of the competent authority.

Part V. Non-discrimination. The Government refers to Article 88 of the National Constitution and section 9 of the Labour Code, which prohibit discrimination between workers. Section 47 of the Labour Code provides that contract clauses shall be null and void which establish on grounds of age, sex or nationality a wage lower than the pay of other workers in the same enterprise for work of equal efficiency, the same type of work and the same hours … . The Government reports the implementation of various measures to combat discrimination in all its forms. In this regard, the Government indicates that the PND envisages equality of opportunity for men and women as the transversal objective of all public policies implemented by the Government. The Government also refers to the implementation of the National Human Rights Plan, which includes a specific component on the “Transformation of structural inequalities for the enjoyment of human rights”. However, the Committee notes that, in the concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee, it expressed concern at reports about the limited implementation of the National Human Rights Plan and insufficient resources for its implementation, and at the fact that the Plan was not revised to reflect the agreements and consensus reached with State institutions and civil society prior to its adoption. The Human Rights Committee also expressed concern at the lack of a comprehensive anti-discrimination legal framework and the persistent discrimination suffered by women, persons of African descent, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, sex workers, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender and intersex persons, and persons with HIV, especially in the areas of education, health care and employment (CCPR/C/PRY/CO/4, paragraphs 8 and 14). With reference to indigenous peoples, the Government provides a copy of the report of 29 June 2018 of the Ministry of Justice on the measures adopted in the country under the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169). However, the Committee observes that, in its concluding observations of 4 October 2016, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) expressed concern that Afro-Paraguayan women and indigenous women continue to face multiple forms of discrimination with regard to … access to an adequate standard of living, education and work … (CERD/C/PRY/CO/4-6, paragraph 41). The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed and updated information on the impact of the Paraguayan National Development Plan 2030 (PND) and the National Human Rights Plan on the elimination of discrimination in practice between workers in relation to the various matters enumerated in Article 14(1) of the Convention. The Committee also requests the Government to provide updated information on any other measures adopted or envisaged in this regard.

Part VI. Education and training. The Committee refers to its direct request on the application of Convention No. 122, in which it notes the various vocational training and skills development courses provided by the National Vocational Training and Skills System (SINAFOCAL), in collaboration with workers` organizations. The Committee refers to its comments on Convention No. 122, in which it requests the Government to provide updated statistical data, disaggregated by age and sex, on the number of persons, including indigenous women and girls and those in rural areas, who are participating in education and training programmes, and the impact of the programmes on their access to decent, productive and lasting employment.

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

The Committee notes the Government’s report and the informative annexes, which include a detailed report by the Secretariat for Social Action. The Committee refers to certain matters directly related to Convention No. 117 which are raised in particular in its comments on employment policy (coordination of employment policy with economic and social policies, and coordination of training policy with employment opportunities).

Parts I and II of the Convention. Article 2. Improvement of standards of living. The Government provides information on the results of the pilot community development project (PRODECO) implemented between 2003 and 2008, the Abrazo programme for children, and on other programmes implemented by the Secretariat for Social Action. The Committee also notes the document Paraguay para todos y todas, a proposed public policy for social development 2010–20, in which emphasis is placed on the rights approach and on seeking equity by promoting a model of development that generates social cohesion and economic inclusion. The Committee invites the Government to provide updated information on the results achieved by the measures implemented to ensure that the “improvement of standards of living” has been “regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development”.

Part III. Articles 6 to 9 and 14(3). Migrant workers. The Government refers to the activities undertaken in collaboration with institutions of the United Nations system to improve services for migrant workers. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the measures adopted to ensure that the terms and conditions of employment of migrant workers within and outside the country take account of their family needs and to facilitate the remittance of their wages and savings.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

1. The Committee notes the pilot community development project (PRODECO) and the ABRAZO programme for children and young persons. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the progress achieved in the implementation of the National Strategy to Combat Poverty and the PRODECO and ABRAZO programmes with a view to ensuring that full effect is given to the provisions of Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention, under the terms of which “all policies shall be primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population”.

2. Part III of the Convention. Migrant workers. In reply to the previous comments, the Government indicates in the report received in October 2007 that there has been an increase in the number of persons emigrating from the country, mainly to Spain. Most of the migrants have received vocational or university training and send remittances to their relatives in Paraguay. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted to ensure that the terms and conditions of employment of migrant workers within and outside the national territory take account of their family needs and facilitate the remittance of their wages and savings (Articles 6–9 and 14(3)). The Committee draws the Government’s attention to the difficulties involved in preventing abusive practices in relation to migrant workers and emphasizes the urgency of affording effective protection to this particularly vulnerable category of workers. In this respect, the Government may also refer to the ILO Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration, of March 2006, which is intended to improve the effectiveness of policies relating to migration for employment.

3. Part VI. Education and training. The Committee notes the information received in November 2008 on the restructuring of formal vocational training and the measures to encourage non-formal vocational training. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the measures adopted for the progressive development of a broad system of education, vocational training and apprenticeship and the manner in which the teaching of new production techniques have been organized as part of the social policy giving effect to the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its 2005 observation, which read as follows:

1. Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. The Committee notes the reference to Convention No. 117 in the observations by the Dockers’ Trade Union of Asunción (SEMA) and the Maritime Workers League of Paraguay (LOMP), sent to the Government in May 2005, concerning the application of Convention No. 98. The Committee refers to its direct request of 2001 on Convention No. 117 and requests the Government to send an up-to-date appreciation of the manner in which it is ensured that “improvement in standards of living” has been regarded as the “principle objective in the planning of economic development” (Article 2) and to provide information on the results achieved in combating poverty. The Committee reminds the Government that, according to the Convention, in order to ascertain minimum standards of living for independent producers and wage earners, “account shall be taken of such essential family needs of the workers as food and its nutritive value, housing, clothing, medical care and education” (Article 5, paragraph 2).

2. Part III. Migrant workers. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on migration movements in the country and on the measures taken to give effect to Articles 6 and 7 of the Convention.

3. Part VI. Education and training. Please indicate the measures that have been taken for the progressive development of education, vocational training and apprenticeship and the manner in which the teaching of new production techniques has been organized as part of the social policy giving effect to the Convention (Articles 15 and 16).

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2007.]

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

1. Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. The Committee notes the reference to Convention No. 117 in the observations by the Dockers’ Trade Union of Asunción (SEMA) and the Maritime Workers League of Paraguay (LOMP), sent to the Government in May 2005, concerning the application of Convention No. 98. The Committee refers to its direct request of 2001 on Convention No. 117 and requests the Government to send an up-to-date appreciation of the manner in which it is ensured that "improvement in standards of living" has been regarded as the "principle objective in the planning of economic development" (Article 2) and to provide information on the results achieved in combating poverty. The Committee reminds the Government that, according to the Convention, in order to ascertain minimum standards of living for independent producers and wage earners, "account shall be taken of such essential family needs of the workers as food and its nutritive value, housing, clothing, medical care and education" (Article 5, paragraph 2).

2. Part III. Migrant workers. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on migration movements in the country and on the measures taken to give effect to Articles 6 and 7 of the Convention.

3. Part VI. Education and training. Please indicate the measures that have been taken for the progressive development of education, vocational training and apprenticeship and the manner in which the teaching of new production techniques has been organized as part of the social policy giving effect to the Convention (Articles 15 and 16).

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2006.]

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

The Committee notes with regret 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:

Articles 6 and 7 of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that it does not have information available concerning the application of these Articles of the Convention. The Committee recalls that it noted the Government’s indication that, with the completion of the work on the Itaipú project, thousands of workers were going to be without employment, while over 3,000 workers would continue working on the Yacyretá project. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on migratory movements in the country, as well as on the measures adopted as a result to give effect to these Articles of the Convention. The Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to compile the required information concerning the workers on the Itaipú project who were left without work and on the current situation of the workers on the Yacyretá project. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to provide information in its next report on the measures adopted to give effect to these Articles of the Convention with regard to the protection due to migrant workers.

Article 15(1). The Committee notes the brief information provided by the Government in relation to its previous request. The Committee urges the Government to provide with its next report all available information on the measures taken for the progressive development of education, vocational training and apprenticeship with a view to the effective preparation of young persons of both sexes for a useful occupation.

Part V of the report form. The Committee urges the Government to provide information enabling it to assess the manner in which the Convention is applied, and particularly statistics of indices showing an improvement in the living standards of the population, including data, among others, on the distribution of land, statistics on migratory movements, fluctuations in the rates of minimum wages and wages in general, reports or extracts of reports on the measures adopted for indigenous populations, including the Enxet-lengua, Enxet-Sana-pana and Enxet-Angaite, and statistics on the literacy rate of the population and the school attendance rate of children.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

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:

Articles 6 and 7 of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that it does not have information available concerning the application of these Articles of the Convention. The Committee recalls that it noted the Government’s indication that, with the completion of the work on the Itaipú project, thousands of workers were going to be without employment, while over 3,000 workers would continue working on the Yacyretá project. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on migratory movements in the country, as well as on the measures adopted as a result to give effect to these Articles of the Convention. The Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to compile the required information concerning the workers on the Itaipú project who were left without work and on the current situation of the workers on the Yacyretá project. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to provide information in its next report on the measures adopted to give effect to these Articles of the Convention with regard to the protection due to migrant workers.

Article 15(1). The Committee notes the brief information provided by the Government in relation to its previous request. The Committee urges the Government to provide with its next report all available information on the measures taken for the progressive development of education, vocational training and apprenticeship with a view to the effective preparation of young persons of both sexes for a useful occupation.

Part V of the report form. The Committee urges the Government to provide information enabling it to assess the manner in which the Convention is applied, and particularly statistics of indices showing an improvement in the living standards of the population, including data, among others, on the distribution of land, statistics on migratory movements, fluctuations in the rates of minimum wages and wages in general, reports or extracts of reports on the measures adopted for indigenous populations, including the Enxet-lengua, Enxet-Sana-pana and Enxet-Angaite, and statistics on the literacy rate of the population and the school attendance rate of children.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

Articles 6 and 7 of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that it does not have information available concerning the application of these Articles of the Convention. The Committee recalls that it noted the Government’s indication that, with the completion of the work on the Itaipú project, thousands of workers were going to be without employment, while over 3,000 workers would continue working on the Yacyretá project. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on migratory movements in the country, as well as on the measures adopted as a result to give effect to these Articles of the Convention. The Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to compile the required information concerning the workers on the Itaipú project who were left without work and on the current situation of the workers on the Yacyretá project. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to provide information in its next report on the measures adopted to give effect to these Articles of the Convention with regard to the protection due to migrant workers.

Article 15(1). The Committee notes the brief information provided by the Government in relation to its previous request. The Committee urges the Government to provide with its next report all available information on the measures taken for the progressive development of education, vocational training and apprenticeship with a view to the effective preparation of young persons of both sexes for a useful occupation.

Part V of the report form. The Committee urges the Government to provide information enabling it to assess the manner in which the Convention is applied, and particularly statistics of indices showing an improvement in the living standards of the population, including data, among others, on the distribution of land, statistics on migratory movements, fluctuations in the rates of minimum wages and wages in general, reports or extracts of reports on the measures adopted for indigenous populations, including the Enxet-lengua, Enxet-Sana-pana and Enxet-Angaite, and statistics on the literacy rate of the population and the school attendance rate of children.

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 following matters raised in its previous direct request:

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in response to its previous comments, in particular, concerning the application of Article 8 of the Convention.

Articles 6 and 7. The Committee notes the Government's indication that, with the termination of the work in the Itaipú project, thousands of workers are going to be withdrawn, while in the Yacyretá project, more than 3,000 workers continue working. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on migratory movements in the country as well as on the measures consequently taken to give effect to these Articles of the Convention.

Article 15(1). In the absence of response in the Government's report on the application of this Article, the Committee again asks the Government to supply information on measures taken or envisaged for the progressive development of education, vocational training and apprenticeship, with particular reference to the measures to encourage the enrolment at the primary level education.

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

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in response to its previous comments, in particular, concerning the application of Article 8 of the Convention.

Articles 6 and 7. The Committee notes the Government's indication that, with the termination of the work in the Itaipú project, thousands of workers are going to be withdrawn, while in the Yacyretá project, more than 3,000 workers continue working. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on migratory movements in the country as well as on the measures consequently taken to give effect to these Articles of the Convention.

Article 15(1). In the absence of response in the Government's report on the application of this Article, the Committee again asks the Government to supply information on measures taken or envisaged for the progressive development of education, vocational training and apprenticeship, with particular reference to the measures to encourage the enrolment at the primary level education.

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

Articles 6 to 8 of the Convention. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information supplied by the Government, in particular the copy of the publication of the National Census of Population and Dwelling-houses of 1982. Table 28 (p. 417) of the Census shows that interdepartmental migration of persons age five years or more between 1977 and 1982 counted 261,360, while immigrants from foreign countries numbered 103,920 and non-migrant population 2,164,041. The Committee notes this information and requests the Government to provide further details and/or their analyses, if any, in particular regarding migration for employment and any measures taken as a consequence with regard to conditions of employment of migrant workers.

The Committee also notes that in the Yacyretá project, 5,355 workers were employed in 1989, and that as for the Itaipú project, 7,850 workers were employed as of 30 June 1989, of which 3,134 were Paraguayans and 4,693 were Brazilians. The Government supplied with its report copies of the Protocol between Paraguay and Argentina concerning labour and social security of the bi-national entity Yacyretá, and of the Protocol between Paraguay and Brazil concerning labour relations and social security of the workers contracted by Itaipú as well as of the additional Protocol to the latter regarding, in particular, the workers employed by the contractors or subcontractors. The Committee notes with interest that these protocols cover not only the workers directly employed by the project entity itself but also those engaged by the contractors and subcontractors of works and suppliers and sub-suppliers of services, and provide for uniform standards of the terms and conditions of employment applicable irrespective of the workers' nationality. It further notes that the protocols include provisions on medical services and the reimbursement of their cost not only for the workers but also for their dependants.

The Committee however notes that there are no provisions in these protocols regarding facilities for enabling the migrant workers to transfer part of their wages and savings to their homes (Article 8(3)). It therefore requests the Government to provide information on any measures taken or envisaged to this end. It would be grateful if the Government would supply information in its future reports on any other agreements of similar nature to these protocols.

As regards the employment of Paraguayan temporary workers in Argentina, the Committee notes the Government's indication that this phenomenon no longer exists, since the present conditions in that country are not advantageous for Paraguayan temporary workers.

Article 15, paragraph 1. The Committee notes from the summary results of the 1982 Population Census that the structure of population attending formal educational institutions has changed between 1972 and 1982, and namely that the percentage of those attending the primary level education decreased from 86.2 per cent in 1972 to 75.3 per cent in 1982, while the percentage of those attending the secondary level increased from 12.2 per cent to 21.4 per cent during the same period (table 4 of the summary, p. XVIII). In its analysis, the Census indicates that this relative decrease of population at the primary level education may be attributed to the fact that the school enrolment at this level did not grow at the same pace as the school-age population, and that the enrolment at the secondary level increased faster than that at the primary level especially in the rural areas. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on measures taken or envisaged for the progressive development of education, vocational training and apprenticeship in accordance with this provision of the Convention, with particular reference to the measures to encourage the enrolment at the primary level education.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1988, published 75th ILC session (1988)

Articles 6 and 7 of the Convention. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report. The Committee notes that the Government refers to the National Population Survey of Paraguay (EDENPAR 77), but makes no further mention of the data collected in the 1982 population census. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply information in its next report on the results of the 1982 census, which was mentioned in its 1983 report.

The Committee notes that large numbers of persons have been employed in the Itaipú hydro-electric project and that in 1985, 10,374 workers were still employed on the project. The Government states in its report on this point, that it has sent a photocopy of the table giving "an evaluation of the number of persons involved in constructing the Itaipú project". In view of the fact that this document, and other documents referred to in the report, have not been received, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would send this document, and the others mentioned in its report, with its next report.

With regard to the number of workers employed in the Yacyretá project, which is also very large, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply information concerning the numbers of persons employed on this project.

The Committee hopes that with its next report, the Government will supply copies of the agreements governing the terms and conditions of employment of the persons employed on the above projects.

Please also indicate whether there are temporary movements of agricultural workers and, if this is the case, the measures that have been taken to encourage the transfer of part of the workers' wages and savings from the area of labour utilisation, to the area of labour supply.

Article 8. The Committee notes the information supplied concerning Paraguayian temporary workers employed in Argentina. Please indicate whether agreements have been concluded with that country for the protection of the workers concerned, including social security agreements.