Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Argentina (Ratification: 1978)

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

The Committee notes the observations of the General Confederation of Labour of the Argentine Republic (CGT RA), received on 31 August 2018. The Committee requests the Government to send its comments in this regard.

Articles 1 and 4 of the Convention. Development and implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training. The Government, in reply to the Committee’s previous comments, indicates that the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MTEySS) has enhanced its functions with regard to vocational training through the Employment Secretariat in order to improve the development, implementation and monitoring of policies, plans, programmes and actions to promote employment, vocational training and the improvement of conditions of employment and the employability of unemployed persons. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the execution of the programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training mentioned in its previous report, such as the More and Better Work for Youth Programme. The Government also refers to the adoption in 2018 of the Basic Labour Training Programme, aimed at persons in vulnerable situations, especially young people struggling to enter the labour market, unemployed persons and underemployed persons, without comprehensive or adequate basic education. This Programme is divided into other more specific programmes in order to achieve various objectives: (i) the Basic Social and Labour Skills Programme, which seeks to provide training to young people over 18 years of age who have not completed their studies and to help them attain the level of basic social and labour skills required in the world of work for self-employment or dependent work and to certify their level; (ii) the Job Guidance Programme, which seeks to promote the skills needed to enter the labour market and/or to reposition oneself in the labour market; (iii) the First Job Training Programme, which offers training in various areas, including training according to occupational area, training for the family economy and cross-cutting training. The Government also reports the creation of the Work Network website, which enables links to be established, free of charge, between jobseekers and enterprises. Moreover, the Government refers to the development of activities under the Training for Work Programme, which offers apprenticeships in job posts in order to strengthen the skills of unemployed workers with a view to their integration in the labour market and allows enterprises to train participants according to their needs. Lastly, the Government indicates that, as part of the Labour Market Integration Programme, economic incentives are granted for a period of up to 24 months to enterprises that hire unemployed workers. The Committee notes that, in its observations, the CGT RA highlights the lack of available information on the impact of the human resources programmes implemented by the MTEySS. Furthermore, the CGT RA indicates that the unification of the Employment and Job Training Management Centres (GECALs) with the Territorial Agencies is envisaged, which could result in less specialization in the handling of the matters for which these entities are responsible. In this respect, the CGT RA observes that although the GECALs influence the implementation of employment and training programmes, the Territorial Agencies are responsible for labour relations and conflicts. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide up-to-date and detailed information, including statistics disaggregated by age and sex, on the impact of the implemented policies and programmes on vocational guidance and vocational training. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the proposed unification of the GECALs with the Territorial Agencies, and on its possible impact.

Article 5. Cooperation with the social partners. The Committee notes that the Government refers to the establishment of the Standing Vocational Training Committee in the National Council on Employment, Productivity and the Minimum Adjustable Wage (CNEPySMVM), comprising representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations and of the National State and of the Federal Labour Council (provincial governments), with a view to holding consultations on matters relating to labour relations, conducting studies and issuing recommendations in this regard. Moreover, the Committee observes the Government’s indication that the social partners were involved in establishing the skills in the Basic Social and Labour Skills Programme and in the training according to occupational area provided under the First Job Training Programme. The Committee notes the allegation by the CTG RA that the social partners are being less frequently invited to participate in bodies to design and define vocational training policies for workers. The CTG RA indicates that, although meetings with the social partners were held in the Training and Certification Sectoral Councils between 2017 and August 2018, training activities have not been approved, developed or funded in conjunction with the sectors for each activity. Lastly, the CGT RA refers to the presentation by the Government of a Bill to create a National Job Training Agency, which distinguishes job training from vocational training. In the light of the above, the CGT RA requests effective social dialogue spaces in bodies that define policies on job training, so that the social partners may share their experiences and influence changes and proposals. The Committee requests the Government to provide more specific and detailed information on the manner in which the representative organizations of employers and workers are consulted on the formulation, implementation and supervision of policies and programmes of vocational guidance, vocational training and job training.

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

Implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training. With reference to its observation of 2009, the Committee notes the Government’s report containing detailed information on various vocational guidance and training programmes. The Government indicates that 20 new employment offices opened in 2013, giving a total of 525 employment offices that became operational throughout the country during the 2005–13 period. The Government includes up-to-date information on employment programmes and the employment and training insurance scheme being implemented as part of the strategic plan of the Employment Secretariat of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security. The Committee observes that between 2008 and 2013 the “More and better work for youth” programme catered for more than 541,000 young persons, who have benefited from services to improve employability, technical assistance and support with regard to self-employment, assisted job placement and job-search support. The above total includes 185,000 young persons who joined the scheme or participated in activities in 2013. The Committee also observes that in 2013 a total of 19,868 newcomers joined the employment and training insurance scheme, bringing the total number affiliated between April 2006 and July 2013 to 475,514. With regard to the services offered for improving employability, the Committee notes that in 2013 more than 352,000 workers engaged in activities designed to increase their job prospects and improve their current conditions of work. The Committee further notes that services were provided in the sphere of vocational training, completion of formal studies, vocational guidance, training for work and skills certification, and observes that over the 2003–13 period the approximate total of people engaging in such activities was 1,880,000. Regarding the system providing vocational training, the Committee observes that since 2003 a total of 349 skills standards were registered in 31 sectors of activity. The Government indicates in its report that a set of actions for enhancing the occupational profiles of participants in employment programmes is being promoted by the Employment Secretariat. It explains that workshops providing guidance and an introduction to the world of work, at which young persons can define an occupational training project, are being held, as are vocational guidance workshops aimed at unemployed persons affiliated to the employment and training insurance scheme. As regards social dialogue, the Government emphasizes that the basis of the tripartite sectoral councils for further training and skills certification, which are forums for coordinating Employment Secretariat policies, has been consolidated and expanded. The Government indicates that, to date, the tripartite sectoral councils have been established in more than 20 sectors of activity. Lastly, the Committee notes that as part of the implementation of active employment policies by the Employment Secretariat, “territorial agreements for employment promotion” have been implemented, which aims to consolidate capacity for the local management of employment policies and which can be supported by municipal or provincial governments and by the social partners. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information and statistics in its next report to allow an examination of the results achieved under the various programmes and plans implemented in relation to the vocational training and guidance given and the integration of the beneficiaries into the labour market. The Committee hopes that the Government will include in its next report detailed information on the manner in which the social partners have collaborated in the implementation of programmes created by the Ministry of Labour relating to human resources development.

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

Implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training. The Committee notes the report received in September 2008 providing information on the various vocational guidance and training programmes, including detailed information on the employment and training insurance scheme. In reply to the direct request of 2003, the Government indicates that in 2004, an employment and training insurance scheme was created to help the beneficiaries of the Heads of Households Programme and to implement active employment policies which offer support to unemployed workers in searching for employment, by updating their vocational skills and helping them enter the labour market. Between April 2006 and July 2008, a total of 97,405 persons had joined the employment and training insurance scheme. Those interested in the scheme sign a Personal Membership Agreement in which they undertake to attend the Municipal Employment Office regularly to draw up a job-search plan and participate in guidance, training and work experience activities, as well as in other services which help them to improve their job prospects. Furthermore, the beneficiaries undertake to accept job offers that are in line with their experience and vocational skills. The General Employment Promotion Plan (More and Better Work) promotes adaptability to new productive processes by means of ongoing vocational training and technical assistance. Under the Plan, a consensus was reached on the analysis of the employment situation and on measures to improve the employability of unemployed workers and the quality of employment of active workers. Under the Building a future with decent work programme, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour are developing labour strategies and tools to incorporate the content of the fundamental principles and rights at work and the concept of decent work into the curriculum of secondary schools. The Government also highlights in its report the international cooperation with the Government of Italy and implemented by the ILO in seven regions of the country. The Committee observes the innovative approaches adopted in implementing an employment and training insurance scheme and developing tools to incorporate the fundamental principles and rights at work into the secondary education curriculum. The Committee asks the Government to continue providing information and statistics in its next report to allow an examination of the results achieved under the various programmes and plans implemented relating to the vocational training and guidance given and the integration of the beneficiaries into the labour market. The Committee would also like to know how the social partners have collaborated in the implementation of programmes created by the Ministry of Labour relating to human resources development.

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

The Committee notes the Government’s report which briefly indicates that there is nothing new to report for the period from 1 July 1998 to 30 June 2003 and that the Unemployed Men and Women Heads of Household Plan provides for capacity building and training of its beneficiaries. The Committee invites the Government to provide in a future report detailed information on the means used to implement comprehensive and coordinated policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training, particularly by indicating the way in which effective coordination is assured and the manner in which the policies and programmes are linked with employment and the public employment services (Article 1, paragraphs 1 and 4, of the Convention).

In this respect, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide in its next report updated information on general, technical and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance and vocational training (Article 2). In particular please describe the results achieved by the Unemployed Heads of Household Plan in the vocational training of the beneficiaries, with an indication of the number of beneficiaries and the types of vocational training provided.

As on previous occasions, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide details on the formal procedures established to ensure the cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training programmes and policies, in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention.

The Committee trusts that the Government’s next report will also contain the information requested in Part VI of the report form on the application of the Convention in practice, as well as on the measures adopted as a result of ILO technical assistance (Part V of the report form).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

The Committee notes the Government's report, which replies in part to its previous direct request. It notes with interest the adoption of the National Employment Act, which includes provisions on the vocational training and integration of young persons and makes the Ministry of Labour and Social Security responsible for integrating vocational training for employment into the national employment policy and for coordinating the implementation of programmes of vocational training for employment with public sector bodies at the national, provincial or municipal levels, as well as with private sector bodies. The Committee requests the Government to supply detailed information in its report on the implementation of these provisions. Please, in particular, indicate the results achieved by employment-training contracts, with an indication of the number of beneficiaries and the types of training provided.

With reference to its previous direct request, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide detailed information on the procedures established to obtain the cooperation of employers' and workers' organizations in the preparation and application of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training, in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention. It hopes that the Government's next report will include the data required under Part VI of the report form on the effect given to the Convention in practice, as well as the information which was requested previously on the measures taken as a result of the technical cooperation projects carried out by the ILO or in the context of CINTERFOR (Part V of the report form).

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

Article 2 of the Convention. With reference to its previous direct request, the Committee notes that the content of the vocational guidance and training programmes is based on the results of the occupational analysis following the method proposed by CINTERFOR. The Government also states that in further education account is taken of the principles laid down in the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 1975 (No. 150). The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply information in its next report on the approximate number of participants in the courses mentioned, and the impact of these courses on the labour market.

Article 3. The Committee notes that in the projects currently being implemented by the National Directorate of Human Resources and Employment information is provided on employment and national labour law and practice. It also notes with interest that preparations are under way for the establishment of a national register of informal education. Please continue to supply particulars on the practical operation of this register, in the Capital and Greater Buenos Aires and the rest of the country.

Article 5. With reference to its earlier comments, the Committee notes that consultation mechanisms are being set up in the administrative bodies of the vocational training and guidance establishments. It would be grateful if the Government would supply information in its next report on the official procedures in the above establishments for ensuring that the co-operation of employers' and workers' organisations is obtained in formulating and implementing policies and programmes for the development of human resources.

Point V of the report form. The Committee notes with interest that Argentina is receiving technical assistance from the ILO in the context of project No. ARG/87/003, "Employment, human resources and income: Economic and social development policy and co-ordination with the social actors". The Government's report also mentions a project conducted in conjunction with the OAS on training for employment and the development of labour markets, and a programme for recording and assessing the training experiences of young people with a view by inserting them in the labour market, in co-ordination with PREALC/UNESCO. Please indicate in future reports the measures taken as a result of the technical assistance received.

Point VI. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information, as in the past, on the activities of the National Council of Technical Education with regard to the subject-matter of the Convention.