Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Mongolia (Ratification: 1976)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government in light of the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 338th session (June 2020). The Committee proceeded with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information contained in the Government's report received in September 2020.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends, implementation of an active employment policy and measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information, including statistical data disaggregated by age and sex, on the impact and effectiveness of active labour market measures taken under the national employment policy to reduce unemployment and promote the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Committee has also requested the Government to provide disaggregated data on the labour market situation, levels and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment. The Government indicates that active labour market policies and employment promotion measures are implemented through the standard labour market services and employment promotion measures (Clause 6.2 of the Law on Employment Support) to support full and productive employment. In this regard, the Committee notes the detailed statistics provided by the Government in its report on employment trends, services and funding for the period 2016-2019. In particular, the Committee notes that during the period 2016-2018, the Employment Promotion Fund allocated 66.4 billion Mongolian tugrik (MNT) to 18 programmes, two pilot projects and other measures to meet the demands of 146.400 citizens from vulnerable groups, such as youth, persons with disabilities, long-term unemployed, herders, parents with children with disabilities and older workers. As a result, in the second quarter of 2019, 15,682 employments have been created (6,125 permanent and 8,351 temporary jobs), and 20,595 citizens have benefited from employment promotion programmes (57.5 per cent women and 42.5 per cent men). Concerning the labour market situation, the Government indicates that at the end of 2018 the labour force was estimated to be 1.4 million (59.6 per cent in urban and 40.4 per cent in rural areas) out of which 92.2 per cent were in employment, and 7.8 per cent were unemployed (57.7 per cent males and 42.3 per cent females). The Committee notes that the national unemployment rates were higher in urban areas (9.4 per cent) than in rural areas (5.2 per cent) and that the highest unemployment rate was registered among young first-time jobseekers (ages 15-24). It further notes that in the reporting year, 61.3 per cent of unpaid family workers were women. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide up-to-date, detailed information on the results of the measures implemented and on trends in the labour market, especially in relation to the economically active population, employment and unemployment, disaggregated by sex and age. The Committee further requests the Government to provide information on the manner and extent to which the measures implemented have enabled the beneficiaries to obtain full, productive and sustainable employment. The Government is also requested to provide information on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of the Convention.

Vocational training and education. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide updated detailed information on the impact and effectiveness of the measures taken in the area of vocational training and education and their relation to prospective employment, including available statistics disaggregated by age and sex. It also requested the Government to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to provide vocational training and education in rural areas and remote communities, as well as to particular groups, such as young persons, people with disabilities, older workers, herders and those working in the informal economy. The Government indicates that since September 2018, the Ministry’s Division on Vocational Education and Training was re-organised to oversee the training and vocational education of citizens through 86 educational institutions, such as the Vocational Training and Production Centre, Polytechnical College, etc. The Government indicates that three programmes were initiated during 2016-2018 and renewed in 2019 by the Resolution No.1 of the National Employment Council to promote employment and provide education and training to citizens. These programmes were implemented throughout 21 aimags (provinces) and nine districts of Ulaanbaatar in order to promote employment through skill training, preparation for the labour market, on-the-job apprenticeship, experience exchange and knowledge sharing. The Committee notes the detailed information concerning the results of the implementation in 2019 of the Program for Work Preparedness and Employment Skills Training, the Herders’ Employment Promotion Program and the Program to Develop Veteran Experts’ Consultancy Service. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of the measures taken in the area of education and training, including those adopted in the framework of the three aforementioned programmes, and on their relation to prospective employment opportunities. It also requests the Government to provide information on progress made in providing vocational training and education in rural areas and remote communities. The Government is also requested to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that technical vocational education and training curricula and programmes are coordinated with existing and anticipated employment opportunities, to meet the current and evolving needs of the labour market.

Employment services. Collection and use of employment data. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide updated detailed information on the functioning and impact of the employment centres as well as on the online employment registration system, including information on the numbers of persons placed in employment through this system. The Government indicates that the employment service centres carry out activities such as providing information to jobseekers and employers as well as collecting and processing information with the assistance of the central labour Market Information System (LMIS). The LMIS software connects all staff, divisions, departments and other units in public and private employment agencies (aimags, Capital city and its districts, soums (counties) and khoroos (sub-districts)) and provides online services through its website (http://www.hudulmur-halamj.gov.mn). The Government further indicates that local employment service centres collect and publish information on vacancies received from employers in their administrative territories and provide advertising services to the unemployed through its showrooms. The Committee notes that job intermediary services, employment and professional orientation services, as well as advisory and information services, are provided through private employment services on a contract basis. The Committee notes that from 2016 to the second quarter of 2019, these services have provided jobs, professional orientation, advices, and information to 272,300 persons among which 98,107 persons were placed in new jobs and 107,871 were registered as unemployed. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the activities of the employment services, including the number of beneficiaries of these services placed in lasting employment.

Small and medium-sized enterprises. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to continue to report on the impact of measures taken to promote job creation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Government indicates that since 2016, the Ministry of Agriculture and Light Industries that is in charge of SMEs has adopted a proactive policy and carries out measures to promote employment for micro-businesses, household businesses and self-employed people. The Committee notes that the Law on SMEs, adopted in 2019, incorporates a provision to promote entrepreneurship and support employment of the self-employed, partnerships and cooperatives. It also provides entrepreneurs with business development support and loan services. The Government indicates that, in 2016-2018, the National Employment Council introduced the Job Support Program to help the development of household and micro-businesses by providing training and financial support or microloans (up to MNT 10 million) to job seekers and entrepreneurs. The programme was renewed in 2019 (Resolution No.1 of 2019 of the National Employment Council) and is being implemented throughout 21 aimags and nine districts of Ulaanbaatar. The Committee notes that by the second quarter of 2019, the programme has served 18,194 citizens and provided employment to 11,748 persons. The Government indicates that small loans were provided by the Employment Promotion Fund to support self-employed, micro-production, service businesses, herders, and citizens who plan to establish partnerships and cooperatives. The Committee notes that in 2016-2018, the Employment Promotion Fund provided loans (MNT35.9 billion) to 4,874 small businesses which helped to retain 4,000 jobs and create about 3,000 new jobs. The Government also indicates that since 2019, a “Pilot Program to Support Labour Market” was implemented within the framework of a general programme of financing (Resolution No.2 of the National Employment Council, 2018). The programme plans to allocate MNT8.0 billion for small loans to support micro-businesses. The Committee notes that in 2019, agreements were concluded to provide such small loans through commercial banks in 21 aimags. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated information on the effectiveness of financial measures and programmes implemented in support of SMEs and their impact in terms of improving the SMEs business environment, enhancing workers’ skills and creating new enterprises. It also requests the Government to provide statistical information on the number and type of enterprises established and the number of jobs created by such enterprises. In addition, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the new Law on SMEs, adopted in 2019, on the promotion of entrepreneurship and creation of small and micro enterprises.

Specific categories of workers. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide updated information on the impact of the measures taken to create opportunities for sustainable and lasting employment for young persons and persons with disabilities, workers in rural areas and remote communities as well as the measures taken to facilitate the transition of workers from the informal to the formal economy and those taken in the area of labour migration. The Government indicates that the National Employment Council has adopted and implemented employment promotion programmes and projects for different groups of the population through departments/divisions in charge of labour issues at aimags, capital city and district levels. In this respect, the Program to Support Youth Employment and Start-up Businesses, which has created 195 jobs for youth, is being implemented throughout all 21 aimags and nine districts in Ulaanbaatar. The Government further indicates that the “Employment Promotion Program for the Disabled” is providing incentives to employers and skill training as well as employment and financial support to persons with disabilities. By the second quarter of 2019, the programme has provided employment for 662 persons with disabilities. With regard to the workers in the informal economy, the Government indicates that the non-agricultural informal sector employs 918.900 persons (73.3 per cent) which are primarily concentrated in urban areas (54.8 per cent of the employees in non-agricultural sectors are in Ulaanbaatar). The Committee notes that, in 2018, 220.000 persons were working in the informal economy ((131.700 men (59.9 per cent), and 88.300 women (40.1 per cent)). The Government indicates that the Law on Employment Promotion of 4 February 2015 has been amended to facilitate the transition to the formal economy through the extension of loans to the private sector and citizens willing to form partnerships or establish cooperatives as well as offering financial support to micro and small enterprises. The Government further indicates that, in 2017-2018, Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation to send workers abroad have been concluded with Japan and the Republic of Korea. It further indicates that the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has drafted a Law on Migration of the Labour Force, in consultation with interested parties, which has been submitted to Cabinet for review before referral to the Parliament. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed and updated information, including statistics, on the impact of measures taken to promote employment, in terms of job creation, in particular for young persons, persons with disabilities and agricultural workers in rural areas and remote communities. It further requests the Government to provide updated information on the measures taken to facilitate the transition from the informal to the formal economy as well as on the status and the content of the draft Law on the Migration of the Labour Force.

Article 3. Consultation with the social partners. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the outcome of the consultations held with the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organisations on the formulation and implementation of employment measures. The Government indicates that the National Council composed of three representatives from the Government, the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions (CMTU) and the Mongolian Employers Federation (MONEF) is in charge of developing proposals on policies, strategies and programmes of action to implement the Law on Employment Promotion. The Committee notes that, in 2017, the National Employment Council updated the “Charter of aimags, Capital city and district councils of employment” to enable local governors to chair local tripartite councils (30 such councils have been established) in order to oversee the implementation and coordination of labour market policies in soums (counties) and khoroos (sub-districts). The Government indicates that, in 2016-2019, the National Employment Council implemented programmes and projects to create employment for job seekers, long-term unemployed, herders, self-employed, including through the establishment of cooperatives. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on consultations held with the social partners in accordance with Article 3, as well as to provide information on the manner in which representatives of persons affected, including those in the informal economy and in rural areas are consulted in the formulation and implementation of adopted or envisaged employment policies and programmes.

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

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends and implementation of an active employment policy. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the impact of its labour market measures and programmes on employment. The Government indicates that, in accordance with Clause 6.3 of the Law on Employment Promotion, various employment promotion activities have been set up in the form of projects and programmes. The Tripartite National Council on Employment implemented seven programmes and one project in 2016. The Employment Promotion Fund allocated 19.5 billion Mongolian tugrik (MNT) to finance the projects and programmes, which aim to create temporary and permanent employment for jobseekers, herders, young people, people with disabilities and small business owners, among others. The Committee notes that, according to the data provided by the Government, these programmes created 32,731 jobs in the first half of 2016, of which 69.7 per cent were temporary positions and 30.3 per cent were permanent positions. With regard to the mining industry, the Government indicates that, despite the revision of the Mining Code and the adoption of the Law on Investment, investments and sales in the mining industry fell sharply during the reporting period, a decline which the Government attributes to the global economic downturn. The Committee requests the Government to provide information, including statistical data disaggregated by age and sex, on the impact and effectiveness of active labour market measures taken under the national employment policy to reduce unemployment and promote the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Committee also requests the Government to provide disaggregated data on the labour market situation, levels and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment.

Vocational training and education. The Committee notes the adoption on 2 February 2016 of amendments to the Law on Vocational Education and Training. In addition, on 6 June 2016, the Government issued Resolution No. 304, which establishes a “National Programme for the development of vocational and technical education, 2016–21”. The Government indicates that progressive implementation of this Programme, in coordination with the Government’s Action Plan 2016–20, is expected to broaden cooperation with the social partners in the area of vocational education and training, strengthening the national vocational education system and enhancing the quality of the training provided. The Committee notes that, as of July 2016, functions related to vocational education and training are the responsibility of the Vocational Education and Training Division of the Department of Employment Policy Implementation. The Government adds that the creation in 2016 of the Department on Vocational Education and Training within the General Agency for Labour and Social Service, the Government’s implementation agency, is expected to foster coordination between vocational education policy and supply and demand in the labour market. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the impact and effectiveness of the measures taken in the area of vocational training and education and their relation to prospective employment, including available statistics disaggregated by age and sex. It also requests the Government to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to provide vocational training and education in rural areas and remote communities, as well as to particular groups, such as young persons, people with disabilities, older workers, herders and those working in the informal economy.

Employment services. Collection and use of employment data. In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that the new employment centres as well as the subsidiary institutions of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare are all connected to the integrated Labour Market Information System (LMIS) and operate through an online exchange, to generate, analyse and provide information on current and future skills needs. The LMIS facilitates the exchange of information and coordination, not only between labour and social welfare institutions, but also between the State Registration Agency, the General Tax Authority and the General Authority for Social Insurance. The Government adds that the LMIS programme and Government website (hudulmur) serve as a job placement system by providing information on the Ministry, employment centres, jobseekers, employers, vacancies, vocational education and projects to promote employment. The Government also offers employment information services through the online exchange in remote provinces and areas of the country. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the functioning and impact of the employment centres as well as of the online employment registration system, including information on the numbers of persons placed in employment through this system.

Small and medium-sized enterprises. The Government indicates that Cabinet Resolution No. 191 of 2014 establishes a list of equipment and parts exempted from customs duty and value-added tax (VAT), when these are imported for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) production. Pursuant to the Resolution, 9,383 individuals and legal entities benefited from reductions in customs duties and VAT during 2012–15. From 2012–16, the Government also provided loans in the amount of over MNT301 billion for 1,968 SME projects. The Fund for the Promotion of SMEs and the Fund for the Development of Soums (administrative districts), created for the purpose of promoting SMEs, extended credit to SMEs in the amount of MNT312 billion, leading to the creation of 36,500 jobs, of which 52 per cent are permanent positions. During the same period, the Employment Promotion Fund extended MNT55.8 billion in credit to 11,000 citizens, private businesses and partnerships, for starting up SMEs, resulting in the creation of 48,000 jobs. The Committee requests the Government to continue to report on the impact of measures taken to promote job creation in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Specific categories of workers. The Committee welcomes the measures implemented by the Government to promote the employment of young persons, including the provision of financial support, incubation services and entrepreneurial training to young graduates of vocational training institutes. The Government also implemented measures for persons with disabilities, including placement services, career guidance, financial support for entrepreneurship and employment training activities, and sign language interpretation assistance. The Committee notes that the Government also provided economic incentives to employers who provided permanent jobs for persons with disabilities. During the third quarter of 2016, 725 young persons and 3,477 persons with disabilities benefited from these employment promotion programmes. With regard to workers in the informal economy, the Government indicates that, as of the second quarter of 2016, there were 1,460,000 persons working in the informal economy, with 98.4 per cent working in informal employment as their primary job. To assist people in transitioning from the informal to the formal economy, the Government amended the Law on Employment Promotion on 4 February 2015. The amendment expands the provision of financial support to small and micro enterprises through the granting of loans to private businesses and to citizens establishing community cooperatives. In addition, with respect to legislation and programmes in the area of labour migration, the Government indicates that the World Mongolian Programme and the Beehive Programme have been implemented with the aim of supporting Mongolian citizens working abroad to return to their homeland. It further indicates that the 2001 Law on Sending the Labour Force Abroad and Receiving Labour Force and Specialists from Abroad is currently in the process of revision, to respond to current national circumstances. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the impact of the measures taken to create opportunities for sustainable and lasting employment for young persons and persons with disabilities, as well as for workers in rural areas and remote communities. The Committee also requests the Government to provide more detailed information on measures taken or envisaged to facilitate the progressive transition of workers from the informal to the formal economy, including updated statistics on the numbers of workers in informal employment. In addition, the Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the impact of measures taken in the area of labour migration.

Article 3. Consultation with the social partners. The Government reports that it collaborates with the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions and the Mongolian Employers’ Federation in developing and implementing employment-related programmes and events. To ensure that the social partners have the opportunity to make inputs and suggestions, the Branch Council for Employment, composed of representatives from the National Council and the Tripartite Council for Employment, meets to discuss employment-related programmes and projects and make recommendations. Local representatives are also involved in this dialogue process. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the outcome of the consultations held with the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations on the formulation and implementation of employment measures.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends and implementation of an active employment policy. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the impact of its labour market measures and programmes on employment. The Government indicates that, in accordance with Clause 6.3 of the Law on Employment Promotion, various employment promotion activities have been set up in the form of projects and programmes. The Tripartite National Council on Employment implemented seven programmes and one project in 2016. The Employment Promotion Fund allocated 19.5 billion Mongolian tugrik (MNT) to finance the projects and programmes, which aim to create temporary and permanent employment for jobseekers, herders, young people, people with disabilities and small business owners, among others. The Committee notes that, according to the data provided by the Government, these programmes created 32,731 jobs in the first half of 2016, of which 69.7 per cent were temporary positions and 30.3 per cent were permanent positions. With regard to the mining industry, the Government indicates that, despite the revision of the Mining Code and the adoption of the Law on Investment, investments and sales in the mining industry fell sharply during the reporting period, a decline which the Government attributes to the global economic downturn. The Committee requests the Government to provide information, including statistical data disaggregated by age and sex, on the impact and effectiveness of active labour market measures taken under the national employment policy to reduce unemployment and promote the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Committee also requests the Government to provide disaggregated data on the labour market situation, levels and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment.

Vocational training and education. The Committee notes the adoption on 2 February 2016 of amendments to the Law on Vocational Education and Training. In addition, on 6 June 2016, the Government issued Resolution No. 304, which establishes a “National Programme for the development of vocational and technical education, 2016–21”. The Government indicates that progressive implementation of this Programme, in coordination with the Government’s Action Plan 2016–20, is expected to broaden cooperation with the social partners in the area of vocational education and training, strengthening the national vocational education system and enhancing the quality of the training provided. The Committee notes that, as of July 2016, functions related to vocational education and training are the responsibility of the Vocational Education and Training Division of the Department of Employment Policy Implementation. The Government adds that the creation in 2016 of the Department on Vocational Education and Training within the General Agency for Labour and Social Service, the Government’s implementation agency, is expected to foster coordination between vocational education policy and supply and demand in the labour market. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the impact and effectiveness of the measures taken in the area of vocational training and education and their relation to prospective employment, including available statistics disaggregated by age and sex. It also requests the Government to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to provide vocational training and education in rural areas and remote communities, as well as to particular groups, such as young persons, people with disabilities, older workers, herders and those working in the informal economy.

Employment services. Collection and use of employment data. In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that the new employment centres as well as the subsidiary institutions of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare are all connected to the integrated Labour Market Information System (LMIS) and operate through an online exchange, to generate, analyse and provide information on current and future skills needs. The LMIS facilitates the exchange of information and coordination, not only between labour and social welfare institutions, but also between the State Registration Agency, the General Tax Authority and the General Authority for Social Insurance. The Government adds that the LMIS programme and Government website (hudulmur) serve as a job placement system by providing information on the Ministry, employment centres, jobseekers, employers, vacancies, vocational education and projects to promote employment. The Government also offers employment information services through the online exchange in remote provinces and areas of the country. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the functioning and impact of the employment centres as well as of the online employment registration system, including information on the numbers of persons placed in employment through this system.

Small and medium-sized enterprises. The Government indicates that Cabinet Resolution No. 191 of 2014 establishes a list of equipment and parts exempted from customs duty and value-added tax (VAT), when these are imported for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) production. Pursuant to the Resolution, 9,383 individuals and legal entities benefited from reductions in customs duties and VAT during 2012–15. From 2012–16, the Government also provided loans in the amount of over MNT301 billion for 1,968 SME projects. The Fund for the Promotion of SMEs and the Fund for the Development of Soums (administrative districts), created for the purpose of promoting SMEs, extended credit to SMEs in the amount of MNT312 billion, leading to the creation of 36,500 jobs, of which 52 per cent are permanent positions. During the same period, the Employment Promotion Fund extended MNT55.8 billion in credit to 11,000 citizens, private businesses and partnerships, for starting up SMEs, resulting in the creation of 48,000 jobs. The Committee requests the Government to continue to report on the impact of measures taken to promote job creation in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Specific categories of workers. The Committee welcomes the measures implemented by the Government to promote the employment of young persons, including the provision of financial support, incubation services and entrepreneurial training to young graduates of vocational training institutes. The Government also implemented measures for persons with disabilities, including placement services, career guidance, financial support for entrepreneurship and employment training activities, and sign language interpretation assistance. The Committee notes that the Government also provided economic incentives to employers who provided permanent jobs for persons with disabilities. During the third quarter of 2016, 725 young persons and 3,477 persons with disabilities benefited from these employment promotion programmes. With regard to workers in the informal economy, the Government indicates that, as of the second quarter of 2016, there were 1,460,000 persons working in the informal economy, with 98.4 per cent working in informal employment as their primary job. To assist people in transitioning from the informal to the formal economy, the Government amended the Law on Employment Promotion on 4 February 2015. The amendment expands the provision of financial support to small and micro enterprises through the granting of loans to private businesses and to citizens establishing community cooperatives. In addition, with respect to legislation and programmes in the area of labour migration, the Government indicates that the World Mongolian Programme and the Beehive Programme have been implemented with the aim of supporting Mongolian citizens working abroad to return to their homeland. It further indicates that the 2001 Law on Sending the Labour Force Abroad and Receiving Labour Force and Specialists from Abroad is currently in the process of revision, to respond to current national circumstances. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the impact of the measures taken to create opportunities for sustainable and lasting employment for young persons and persons with disabilities, as well as for workers in rural areas and remote communities. The Committee also requests the Government to provide more detailed information on measures taken or envisaged to facilitate the progressive transition of workers from the informal to the formal economy, including updated statistics on the numbers of workers in informal employment. In addition, the Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the impact of measures taken in the area of labour migration.

Article 3. Consultation with the social partners. The Government reports that it collaborates with the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions and the Mongolian Employers’ Federation in developing and implementing employment-related programmes and events. To ensure that the social partners have the opportunity to make inputs and suggestions, the Branch Council for Employment, composed of representatives from the National Council and the Tripartite Council for Employment, meets to discuss employment-related programmes and projects and make recommendations. Local representatives are also involved in this dialogue process. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the outcome of the consultations held with the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations on the formulation and implementation of employment measures.

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

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the national programme entitled “A Mongolian with Employment and Income” adopted in 2013 which aims to create more than 150,000 jobs in the 2012–16 period. The Government indicates that, as a result of different employment promotion activities held between 2012 and 2013, the unemployment rate has decreased by 2.6 percentage points while the labour force participation rate has increased by 2.2 percentage points when compared to 2010. It adds that, in 2013, Parliament approved the Investment Law which is expected to stimulate investment and create jobs. The Committee understands that Parliament passed, in July 2014, a new legislation on minerals that may contribute to job generation in the mining sector. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the impact of the labour market measures and programmes implemented on the employment situation. Please also include information on the impact of the various legislative reforms in generating employment and increasing the activity in the mining sector.

Vocational training and education. The Government reports that amendments to the Law on Vocational Education and Training are being prepared and that a draft of the “Strategic Plan for Development of the Mongolian Technical Vocational Education and Training to 2020” is being developed. The Committee invites the Government to report on the results of the implementation of the Strategic Plan in terms of fostering both vocational training and education. Please also indicate the measures taken to coordinate education and training policies with employment opportunities.

Employment services. Collection and use of employment data. The Government reports on amendments to the regulations concerning the Centre for Employment Service, the Central Labour Exchange Office and the Labour Research Institute. The Committee also notes that an online employment registration system has been set up to improve the efficiency of the employment process. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the results of the implementation of the newly established centres and online employment registration system.

Small and medium-sized enterprises. The Government indicates that the Law on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Cooperatives is being amended and refers to the tax measures envisaged to support small and medium-sized enterprises. The Committee invites the Government to report on the legislative amendments and the measures taken to support small and medium-sized enterprises.

Specific categories of workers. The Government indicates that various subprogrammes of the “Mongolian with Employment and Income” national programme have been implemented to promote employment of certain specific groups, especially the most vulnerable groups. More than 80,000 people received services through the subprogrammes in 2012. The Government further indicates that the amended Law on Employment Promotion includes provisions to support the employment of certain groups of people, including persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken to address the employment needs of young people and persons with disabilities. The Committee refers to its 2013 direct request and once again asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken to enable the progressive transfer of workers from the informal economy to the formal economy and to promote a complementary relationship between the two economies. Please also include information on the implementation of legislation and programmes in the field of labour migration.

Article 3. Consultation with the social partners. The Committee notes that, as a part of implementation of the 2013–14 National Agreement, the social partners discussed labour issues in rural areas and a development policy agenda in the framework of the Labour Conference, which was held in 21 provinces and the capital, in which more than 6,000 people participated. The Committee invites the Government to report on the measures taken to ensure that the views of the social partners, as well as of the “representatives of the persons affected by the measures to be taken”, are fully taken into account when formulating and implementing employment programmes and measures.

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

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its 2011 comments which read as follows:

Repetition

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Consultation with the social partners. The Committee notes the brief report provided by the Government in November 2010 and the information submitted by the Mongolian Employers Federation (MONEF) and the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions (CMTU). The Committee also notes that Mongolia is one of the countries assisted by the ILO in designing and implementing their crisis response policies through the framework provided by the Global Jobs Pact, which was adopted in June 2009. The Government reports that the population of Mongolia was 2,683,500 at the end of 2009; and in 2010, the unemployment rate was 3.7 per cent, the same level as in 2009. The Government indicates that the Employment Promotion Law was revised in 2010. This revision brought on the adherence of principles which include: (i) to improve the participation of public and private organizations and responsibilities of local and administrative and employment promotion organizations; (ii) to decentralize; (iii) to improve budget allocation for employment promotion and its effectiveness; (iv) to renew the coordination mechanism of employment promotion in meeting with local features and needs; (v) to identify the scope of employment promotion; and (vi) to conduct its activities to the targeted groups who needed support from the Government. Two new mega-mines will be operational in the south of the country in 2013 which will have a significant impact on the economy of Mongolia. The Committee notes the comments submitted by MONEF indicating that the Government did not allow the National Employment Council to discuss the legislative revisions and did not take into account comments from stakeholders. MONEF also raised some concerns that some tripartite bodies had not yet been established, such as subcommittees on employment in the mining, construction, and transport sectors, as well as at the aimag and district level. Furthermore, MONEF indicates that the centralization of the labour and social welfare services has had a negative impact on the quality of the activities and employment services, such as covering all the vulnerable target group of jobseekers; therefore, MONEF indicates that there is a need for decentralization and raising private sector responsibilities for the implementation of employment services and projects. MONEF expressed the view that it is very important for the Government to support employers in times of economic crisis, increased international competitiveness and costs. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the extent to which active labour market policies are coordinated so as to effectively translate into productive employment creation. In this regard, the Government is requested to include information on the results of the implementation of the Employment Promotion Law and on the potential employment impact of the increase in activity in the mining industry. The Committee also requests the Government to report on the activities of the National Employment Council and other tripartite bodies in respect of employment policies and the steps taken to ensure that the views of representatives of social partners (including representatives of the rural sector and the informal economy) are fully taken into account for the purposes of formulating and enlisting support for employment policies.

Vocational training and education. The Government reports that the Law on Vocational Education and Training was adopted in February 2010. The Government also indicates that section 20 of the Employment Promotion Law provides that the National Employment Council acts as a social partnership institution which will ensure equal participation of the public and private sectors for the implementation of state policy on vocational education and training. The Committee notes that the number of persons involved in vocational training reached 10,128 in 2010, compared to 9,753 in 2008, and 11,233 in 2009. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the impact of policies and measures implemented to improve skill levels and coordinate education and training policies with employment opportunities.

Employment services. The Government indicates that 39,842 jobseekers registered in labour exchange services offices in 2010, compound to 31,925 in 2008 and 39,212 in 2009. The CMTU indicates that 21.5 billion tugriks were disbursed by the Employment Promotion Fund in 2009 on different activities in which 285,000 persons participated. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the activities of the employment services, and how they contribute towards implementing active labour market policies.

Youth employment. The Committee refers to its previous observation noting that a draft National Plan on Youth Employment for 2008–15 was formulated with a view to promoting school-to-work transition and to support the employment of young persons. The Committee once again asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken to implement the National Plan on Youth Employment, and to report on the effects of such measures on increasing the access of young people to sustainable employment.

Persons with disabilities. The Committee notes from the Global Jobs Pact Scan that special employment support measures and services are provided for persons with disabilities under the Employment Promotion Fund, in addition to the training and job placement support provided as a regular service for all persons in need. The main support measure is the cash support to promote the creation of micro-enterprises by persons with disabilities based on invitations to tender. Funding for this measure more than doubled in 2010, supporting over 300 micro-projects. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the results of measures taken to address the employment needs of persons with disabilities.

Herders. The Committee notes from the Global Jobs Pact Scan that measures were undertaken in 2009 for herders to redress cash deficits and loan defaults. The Committee also notes that the Herders’ Employment Promotion Programme, approved in 2010, is resourced by the Employment Promotion Fund and delivered through business incubation centres in selected aimags. The Government is invited to continue to provide further information on the Herders’ Employment Promotion Programme and other measures taken to address the particular needs of herders.

Workers in the informal economy. The Committee notes from the Global Jobs Pact Scan that the first action plan to implement the National Policy on Informal Employment covered the period 2006–08 and had limited results. A national review of the informal economy was organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare and Labour in June 2010, leading to the adoption of an action plan for the informal economy for the period of 2010–12. Several NGOs have established the United Confederation of the Informal Economy, providing some level of organization for informal workers. The new Confederation will, however, need capacity building to implement its mandate. The Committee once again asks the Government to include information in its next report on the implementation of measures to enable the progressive transfer of workers from the informal economy to the formal economy, and any measures to promote complementary relationships between the formal and informal economy and to provide greater access of undertakings in the informal sector to resources, product markets, credit, infrastructure, training facilities, technical expertise and improved technologies (Part V of the Employment Policy (Supplementary Provisions) Recommendation, 1984 (No. 169)).

Migrant workers seeking employment abroad. The Committee notes from the Global Jobs Pact Scan that the Ministry of Social Welfare and Labour is working on a new draft Law on sending workers abroad and receiving foreign workers. The Committee invites the Government to include information in its next report on the implementation of the new legislation including relevant information on programmes implemented in the field of labour migration policy.

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

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Consultation with the social partners. The Committee notes the brief report provided by the Government in November 2010 and the information submitted by the Mongolian Employers Federation (MONEF) and the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions (CMTU). The Committee also notes that Mongolia is one of the countries assisted by the ILO in designing and implementing their crisis response policies through the framework provided by the Global Jobs Pact, which was adopted in June 2009. The Government reports that the population of Mongolia was 2,683,500 at the end of 2009; and in 2010, the unemployment rate was 3.7 per cent, the same level as in 2009. The Government indicates that the Employment Promotion Law was revised in 2010. This revision brought on the adherence of principles which include: (i) to improve the participation of public and private organizations and responsibilities of local and administrative and employment promotion organizations; (ii) to decentralize; (iii) to improve budget allocation for employment promotion and its effectiveness; (iv) to renew the coordination mechanism of employment promotion in meeting with local features and needs; (v) to identify the scope of employment promotion; and (vi) to conduct its activities to the targeted groups who needed support from the Government. Two new mega-mines will be operational in the south of the country in 2013 which will have a significant impact on the economy of Mongolia. The Committee notes the comments submitted by MONEF indicating that the Government did not allow the National Employment Council to discuss the legislative revisions and did not take into account comments from stakeholders. MONEF also raised some concerns that some tripartite bodies had not yet been established, such as subcommittees on employment in the mining, construction, and transport sectors, as well as at the aimag and district level. Furthermore, MONEF indicates that the centralization of the labour and social welfare services has had a negative impact on the quality of the activities and employment services, such as covering all the vulnerable target group of jobseekers; therefore, MONEF indicates that there is a need for decentralization and raising private sector responsibilities for the implementation of employment services and projects. MONEF expressed the view that it is very important for the Government to support employers in times of economic crisis, increased international competitiveness and costs. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the extent to which active labour market policies are coordinated so as to effectively translate into productive employment creation. In this regard, the Government is requested to include information on the results of the implementation of the Employment Promotion Law and on the potential employment impact of the increase in activity in the mining industry. The Committee also requests the Government to report on the activities of the National Employment Council and other tripartite bodies in respect of employment policies and the steps taken to ensure that the views of representatives of social partners (including representatives of the rural sector and the informal economy) are fully taken into account for the purposes of formulating and enlisting support for employment policies.

Vocational training and education. The Government reports that the Law on Vocational Education and Training was adopted in February 2010. The Government also indicates that section 20 of the Employment Promotion Law provides that the National Employment Council acts as a social partnership institution which will ensure equal participation of the public and private sectors for the implementation of state policy on vocational education and training. The Committee notes that the number of persons involved in vocational training reached 10,128 in 2010, compared to 9,753 in 2008, and 11,233 in 2009. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the impact of policies and measures implemented to improve skill levels and coordinate education and training policies with employment opportunities.

Employment services. The Government indicates that 39,842 jobseekers registered in labour exchange services offices in 2010, compound to 31,925 in 2008 and 39,212 in 2009. The CMTU indicates that 21.5 billion tugriks were disbursed by the Employment Promotion Fund in 2009 on different activities in which 285,000 persons participated. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the activities of the employment services, and how they contribute towards implementing active labour market policies.

Youth employment. The Committee refers to its previous observation noting that a draft National Plan on Youth Employment for 2008–15 was formulated with a view to promoting school-to-work transition and to support the employment of young persons. The Committee once again asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken to implement the National Plan on Youth Employment, and to report on the effects of such measures on increasing the access of young people to sustainable employment.

Persons with disabilities. The Committee notes from the Global Jobs Pact Scan that special employment support measures and services are provided for persons with disabilities under the Employment Promotion Fund, in addition to the training and job placement support provided as a regular service for all persons in need. The main support measure is the cash support to promote the creation of micro-enterprises by persons with disabilities based on invitations to tender. Funding for this measure more than doubled in 2010, supporting over 300 micro-projects. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the results of measures taken to address the employment needs of persons with disabilities.

Herders. The Committee notes from the Global Jobs Pact Scan that measures were undertaken in 2009 for herders to redress cash deficits and loan defaults. The Committee also notes that the Herders’ Employment Promotion Programme, approved in 2010, is resourced by the Employment Promotion Fund and delivered through business incubation centres in selected aimags. The Government is invited to continue to provide further information on the Herders’ Employment Promotion Programme and other measures taken to address the particular needs of herders.

Workers in the informal economy. The Committee notes from the Global Jobs Pact Scan that the first action plan to implement the National Policy on Informal Employment covered the period 2006–08 and had limited results. A national review of the informal economy was organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare and Labour in June 2010, leading to the adoption of an action plan for the informal economy for the period of 2010–12. Several NGOs have established the United Confederation of the Informal Economy, providing some level of organization for informal workers. The new Confederation will, however, need capacity building to implement its mandate. The Committee once again asks the Government to include information in its next report on the implementation of measures to enable the progressive transfer of workers from the informal economy to the formal economy, and any measures to promote complementary relationships between the formal and informal economy and to provide greater access of undertakings in the informal sector to resources, product markets, credit, infrastructure, training facilities, technical expertise and improved technologies (Part V of the Employment Policy (Supplementary Provisions) Recommendation, 1984 (No. 169)).

Migrant workers seeking employment abroad. The Committee notes from the Global Jobs Pact Scan that the Ministry of Social Welfare and Labour is working on a new draft Law on sending workers abroad and receiving foreign workers. The Committee invites the Government to include information in its next report on the implementation of the new legislation including relevant information on programmes implemented in the field of labour migration policy.

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

Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report received in November 2008, including information in reply to the Committee’s previous comments. The Government indicates that it has been implementing the National Programme on Employment Promotion, the National Programme on Improving Occupational Safety and Health Environment, and the National Programme on Supporting Living Standards of Households, which lead to the creation of 81,172 new jobs in 2007. The Government indicates that the overall unemployment rate was 3 per cent in 2007, of which 56.2 per cent were female. The number of registered unemployed jobseekers stood at 30,800. The Committee notes that the Government declared 2007 as the “Year of Job Creation”, whereby a set of activities and measures were developed to promote efforts towards job creation, to improve employment conditions through the distribution of labour market information to all citizens, to reduce poverty, to develop effective and efficient employment services in rural areas, and to revise the legal environment for employment promotion. The Committee also notes that the Mongolian National Development Policy Paper, as approved by Parliament in 2008, provides for a policy directed at implementing the Millennium Development Goals. The Government indicates that the National Development Policy will be implemented within the context of the mid- and short-term development programmes and action plans, the Government Action Plan and other programmes. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the results of the implementation of the aforementioned national programmes and the National Development Policy Paper, with particular regard to employment generation. It also hopes that the information provided in the next report on active employment policy measures implemented by the Government will enable the Committee to examine the means by which economic growth translates into better labour market outcomes and poverty reduction (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention).

Vocational training and education. The Committee notes that the Government is making revisions to the system of vocational training and education so as to provide for greater participation of the private sector and social partners in all stages of activities, such as the definition of vocational training requirements, the formulation of a training policy, the development of training standards and the contents thereof, the organization of trainings, testing of the level and quality of vocations, and to provide training participants with jobs. To this end, the following reforms were envisaged: (i) the development of a legal framework on vocational education and training and for its implementation; (ii) increased finances from the state budget for vocational education and training; (iii) the formulation of standards for vocational training of the population; (iv) development of school buildings; (v) training and retention of foreign teachers; and (vi) the development of a methodological system of management for vocational education. The Committee understands that the Law on Technical and Vocational Training was adopted in February 2009 and that the Government established a 16‑member national authority for vocational education and training which will be responsible for working with employers to determine the demand for vocational training and technical education among their employees and consult on issues concerning vocational education, training and employment. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information in its next report on the policies and measures being implemented to improve skills levels and coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities. The Government is also invited to supply information on the results of the implementation of the Law adopted in February 2009 and on the activities of the National Authority for Vocational Education and Training.

Employment services. The Government indicates that, as a result of the Social Security Sector Strategy Paper adopted in 2003, the Employment Promotion Law was revised in 2006 so as to provide for State employment services targeted at vulnerable categories of workers, employees in the informal sector and herders, increased types of State employment services, and revised revenues and expenditures of the Employment Promotion Fund. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the activities of the employment services, and how they contribute towards implementing active labour market policies.

Youth employment. The Committee notes that youth unemployment is higher than that compared with other age groups. The unemployment rate of young persons aged 15–17 was 18 per cent, and that of persons aged 20–24 was 21.2 per cent. The Government indicates that the draft National Plan on Youth Employment for 2008–15 was formulated with a view to promoting school-to-work transition and to support the employment of young persons. In this context, micro-credit programmes for the promotion of student employment were being carried out in connection with XAC bank. In 2007, the Employment Promotion Fund disbursed 200 million tugrigs as micro-credit for employment promotion, which enabled the provision of job opportunities to graduates. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to implement the National Plan on Youth Employment, and to report on the effect such measures have had on increasing the access of young people to sustainable employment.

Persons with disabilities. The Committee further notes that, as part of its efforts to implement the objectives of the National Programme on Support for Disabled Persons, the Government has been working to provide guidance to organizations so as to encourage the employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the results of the implementation of the National Programme on Support for Disabled Persons in addressing the employment needs of persons with disabilities.

Herders. Further to the Policy on Support for Herders in Entrepreneurship, a programme was formulated and approved to encourage herders to become entrepreneurs, and to share herding practices and experiences with young herders. The programme also sought to support herders to run their enterprises effectively and to deliver appropriate employment services and measures for them. The Government is invited to continue to provide information on the measures taken to address the particular needs of herders.

Workers in the informal economy. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that it has defined policies on informal economy employment, which is one of the challenges facing the labour market. Further to the National Policy on Informal Employment, measures were taken to coordinate the State’s approach to workers in the informal economy, to provide them with information on the laws on employment and social security, to enable such workers to participate in social and health insurance, to organize training courses to provide workers in the informal economy with knowledge of labour relations, occupational safety and health, social welfare. The Government indicates that, in order to formalize records and develop information services for informal workers, the Aimag and the labour and social welfare service agencies carried out a survey on informal workers in 2007. As a result of this survey, 80,000 people were registered and given an identity card. The Committee welcomes such approach to address the needs of workers in the informal economy. The Committee invites the Government to include information in its next report on the implementation of measures to enable the progressive transfer of workers from the informal economy to the formal economy, and any measures to promote complementary relationships between the formal and informal economy and to provide greater access of undertakings in the informal sector to resources, product markets, credit, infrastructure, training facilities, technical expertise and improved technologies (Part V of the Employment Policy (Supplementary Provisions) Recommendation, 1984 (No. 169)).

Migrant workers seeking employment abroad. The Government indicates that amendments were introduced to the law on sending workers abroad and receiving workers and professionals from abroad, which are pending parliamentary approval. The proposed amendments provide for the development of a registration system for compiling information about workers sent abroad, and those foreign workers and professionals working in Mongolia. The amendments also seek to address the duties, responsibilities and requirements incumbent on mediation organizations, revises the procedure for giving special licences, refines the monitoring scheme, and improves state services for mediation organizations. The Committee further notes that steps are being taken to develop a legislative initiative on migrant workers, with the assistance of the Office. The Committee invites the Government to include information in its next report on the implementation of the aforementioned amendments to the law on sending workers abroad and receiving workers and professionals from abroad, including measures taken within the framework of an active employment policy to prevent abuse in the recruitment of migrant workers (Part X of the Employment Policy (Supplementary Provisions) Recommendation, 1984 (No. 169)).

Consultation with the persons affected. The Committee notes that the Tripartite National Committee on Labour and Social Dialogue was established to influence the formulation and implementation of State social policy on labour issues, to develop a tripartite social dialogue system, to monitor the implementation of the Tripartite Labour and Social Dialogue Agreement and to discuss economic and social issues. The Government also indicates that a National Council of Employment was established as a supernumerary organization of representatives from governmental organizations, which represent the rights and legal interests of the Government, employers and workers. The National Council of Employment is tasked with discussing issues relating to employment and unemployment, unemployment insurance and related issues of economic and social policy at the national level. It is intended to influence the formulation and implementation of State policy on unemployment insurance, to monitor budgets of revenues and expenditures of the Employment Promotion Fund, to develop conclusions and recommendations on employment issues, and to submit relevant matters to the competent authority for decision. The Committee asks the Government to report on the activities of the Tripartite National Committee on Labour and Social Dialogue and the National Council of Employment in respect of employment policies and the steps taken to ensure that the views of representatives of social partners (including representatives of the rural sector and the informal economy) are fully taken into account for the purposes of formulating and enlisting support for employment policies.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

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 2006 direct request, which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report received in July 2005 which refers to activities promoted and implemented through 1999 and 2000. The ILO Subregional Office in Bangkok has also brought to the Committee’s attention additional information concerning the application of the Convention. The Committee hopes that the Government will provide, in its next report, comprehensive and updated information on its active employment policies for examination by the Committee at its next session regarding the following points.

2. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee understands that within the framework of the employment support policy and after the approval of the Employment Promotion Law in 2001 and the National Employment Promotion Programme in 2002, the Government launched in 2005 a National Plan of Action on Decent Work. The Committee notes from the information provided by the Government that other programmes have been initiated, i.e. the National Programme on Unemployment Reduction (1996–2010), the National Programme on the Promotion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, the Programme for the Promotion of Cooperatives, the National Programme for Technical and Vocational Education, the Green Revolution, the Provision of Livestock to the Rural Population, the National Action Programme to Improve Living Standards for Women, the Sustainable Development of Mongolia – 21st Century Programme. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on how these programmes and other employment policy measures have been implemented and how successful they have been in promoting productive employment in relation to the objectives of poverty reduction strategies.

3. The Committee notes the Government’s concern over the fact that despite the clear objectives defined in the employment policy, there has been no substantial improvement in unemployment due to the weak capacity of the economy and its adverse impact on job creation and national industrial development. The Government further reports that the public employment services have been the main part of employment promotion activities, but that the beneficiaries have been mostly from urban populations. It recognizes the difficulty involving the rural unemployed population in employment promotion activities. The Committee notes that the Central Employment Regulation Office (CERO) has again been reorganized as the Labour and Social Welfare Services Agency (LSWSA). The Committee understands that, in 2002, a Rural Development Strategy was drafted and that, in November 2005, a Technical Meeting on Promoting Employment Opportunities in Rural Mongolia was held in which an integrated strategy for local economic development and rural employment promotion was endorsed by public authorities and the social partners. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the implementation of rural employment policies and programmes, and make available any information on other measures it has taken to promote employment and improve the quantity and quality of employment opportunities in rural areas, including data on how government programmes are helping in the aimags where the unemployment rate is higher. Please include information on measures aimed at addressing issues related to providing decent work and “good jobs” with adequate earnings in addition to finding productive employment opportunities for the unemployed and for the underemployed (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention).

4. Collection and use of employment data. The Committee notes that, with the support of the European Union Technical Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States (TACIS), progress was made in developing labour market information systems. The Committee again asks the Government to provide full and detailed statistical data on the situation and trends of the active population, employment, unemployment and underemployment disaggregated by sector, age, sex and skill level, and to indicate how these data are being used to prioritize and formulate employment policies (Article 1, paragraph 2, and Article 2(a)).

5. Labour market and training policies. The Government indicates in its report that the percentage of unskilled people and youth among the unemployed shows the pressing need for more vocational training. The Committee understands that public and private training institutions are encountering difficulties in providing the level of skills training needed for employment. Please indicate what measures are being envisaged to ensure that the current disparity between the training provided by the existing training institutions and the actual workplace skill requirements is reduced, and that the skills acquired through such training meet the demands of the labour market.

6. Measures to promote productive employment for specific categories of workers. (a). Workers in the informal economy. The Committee notes that initiatives have been taken by the local authorities, with the assistance of the Office, to address the issue of the rapid growth of the informal economy. A National Conference on the Informal Economy was convened and drafted a strategy for the informal economy in Mongolia. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the measures envisaged and implemented to address the increasing informal employment, including any promotional measures adopted to enable and empower vulnerable groups of the informal economy to participate in economic development.

(b). Migrant workers seeking employment abroad. The Committee notes that efforts have been made to improve labour migration policy and a law on sending workers abroad and employing foreign workers was passed in 2001. It asks the Government to provide information on the implementation of that law, including data on other steps taken within the framework of an active employment policy to prevent abuse in the recruitment of labour (see Part X of the Employment Policy (Supplementary Provisions) Recommendation, 1984 (No. 169)).

7. Consultation with the persons affected. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the tripartite consultations held on the formulation, implementation and monitoring of the current employment policies and outcomes, including the roles of the National Tripartite Committee on Social and Labour Consensus, and the National Tripartite Board set up under the Employment Promotion Law. The Committee also requests information on how the existing national social dialogue takes into account the promotion of the private sector as the driving force behind economic growth (Article 3).

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

1. The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report received in July 2005 which refers to activities promoted and implemented through 1999 and 2000. The ILO Subregional Office in Bangkok has also brought to the Committee’s attention additional information concerning the application of the Convention. The Committee hopes that the Government will provide, in its next report, comprehensive and updated information on its active employment policies for examination by the Committee at its next session regarding the following points.

2. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee understands that within the framework of the employment support policy and after the approval of the Employment Promotion Law in 2001 and the National Employment Promotion Programme in 2002, the Government launched in 2005 a National Plan of Action on Decent Work. The Committee notes from the information provided by the Government that other programmes have been initiated, i.e. the National Programme on Unemployment Reduction (1996-2010), the National Programme on the Promotion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, the Programme for the Promotion of Cooperatives, the National Programme for Technical and Vocational Education, the Green Revolution, the Provision of Livestock to the Rural Population, the National Action Programme to Improve Living Standards for Women, the Sustainable Development of Mongolia – 21st Century Programme. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on how these programmes and other employment policy measures have been implemented and how successful they have been in promoting productive employment in relation to the objectives of poverty reduction strategies.

3. The Committee notes the Government’s concern over the fact that despite the clear objectives defined in the employment policy, there has been no substantial improvement in unemployment due to the weak capacity of the economy and its adverse impact on job creation and national industrial development. The Government further reports that the public employment services have been the main part of employment promotion activities, but that the beneficiaries have been mostly from urban populations. It recognizes the difficulty involving the rural unemployed population in employment promotion activities. The Committee notes that the Central Employment Regulation Office (CERO) has again been reorganized as the Labour and Social Welfare Services Agency (LSWSA). The Committee understands that, in 2002, a Rural Development Strategy was drafted and that, in November 2005, a Technical Meeting on Promoting Employment Opportunities in Rural Mongolia was held in which an integrated strategy for local economic development and rural employment promotion was endorsed by public authorities and the social partners. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the implementation of rural employment policies and programmes, and make available any information on other measures it has taken to promote employment and improve the quantity and quality of employment opportunities in rural areas, including data on how government programmes are helping in the aimags where the unemployment rate is higher. Please include information on measures aimed at addressing issues related to providing decent work and “good jobs” with adequate earnings in addition to finding productive employment opportunities for the unemployed and for the underemployed (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention).

4. Collection and use of employment data. The Committee notes that, with the support of the European Union Technical Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States (TACIS), progress was made in developing labour market information systems. The Committee again asks the Government to provide full and detailed statistical data on the situation and trends of the active population, employment, unemployment and underemployment disaggregated by sector, age, sex and skill level, and to indicate how these data are being used to prioritize and formulate employment policies (Article 1, paragraph 2, and Article 2(a)).

5. Labour market and training policies. The Government indicates in its report that the percentage of unskilled people and youth among the unemployed shows the pressing need for more vocational training. The Committee understands that public and private training institutions are encountering difficulties in providing the level of skills training needed for employment. Please indicate what measures are being envisaged to ensure that the current disparity between the training provided by the existing training institutions and the actual workplace skill requirements is reduced, and that the skills acquired through such training meet the demands of the labour market.

6 Measures to promote productive employment for specific categories of workers. (a) Workers in the informal economy. The Committee notes that initiatives have been taken by the local authorities, with the assistance of the Office, to address the issue of the rapid growth of the informal economy. A National Conference on the Informal Economy was convened and drafted a strategy for the informal economy in Mongolia. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the measures envisaged and implemented to address the increasing informal employment, including any promotional measures adopted to enable and empower vulnerable groups of the informal economy to participate in economic development.

(b) Migrant workers seeking employment abroad. The Committee notes that efforts have been made to improve labour migration policy and a law on sending workers abroad and employing foreign workers was passed in 2001. It asks the Government to provide information on the implementation of that law, including data on other steps taken within the framework of an active employment policy to prevent abuse in the recruitment of labour (see Part X of the Employment Policy (Supplementary Provisions) Recommendation, 1984 (No. 169)).

7. Consultation with the persons affected. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the tripartite consultations held on the formulation, implementation and monitoring of the current employment policies and outcomes, including the roles of the National Tripartite Committee on Social and Labour Consensus, and the National Tripartite Board set up under the Employment Promotion Law. The Committee also requests information on how the existing national social dialogue takes into account the promotion of the private sector as the driving force behind economic growth (Article 3).

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

The Committee notes 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 2003 direct request, which read as follows:

1. The Committee observes that the Government of Mongolia in July 2003 adopted a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper entitled Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EGPRS) arguing that the main cause for poverty, malnutrition, deficiency of food and low income of the population is a high rate of unemployment. The Government reports that it intends to encourage an accelerated, socially fair and labour-intensive economic growth policy emphasizing the fields of the processing industry, household services for the population, infrastructure development, and environmental protection and restoration. Additionally, it will also seek to introduce efficient and fair provision of basic social services and targeted support for the poorest groups of the population. In this connection the Parliament of Mongolia has adopted laws on unemployment insurance, employment promotion, and exporting labour and importing labour and specialists to address the need of building an intensive policy for the labour market and an operational legal framework and economic environment. Since 2002 the Government has been implementing a National Programme for Employment Promotion. The Committee therefore requests that the Government states in its next report whether any particular difficulties have been encountered in achieving the employment objectives established in the EGPRS, as part of a coordinated economic and social policy, in consultation with representatives of those concerned, in accordance with Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention.

2. According to the statistics forwarded by the Government, of the Population and Housing Census 2000, the rate of employment is 51 per cent for those aged above 15. As of 1 January 2003 the population over 15 numbered 1,402,800 while the number of employed reached 832,600. The labour force participation rate was 61.5 per cent at the end of 2002. The unemployment rate was approximately 3.4 per cent (54 per cent of all unemployed are females and more than 60 per cent are young people aged 16-35). A labour market survey revealed a large emigration of workers and low labour productivity. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to compile and supply full and detailed statistical data on the situation and trends of the active population, employment, unemployment and underemployment for the country as a whole and at the regional level, disaggregated by sector, age, sex and skill level. Please also indicate the measures adopted to coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

3. Article 3. The Government refers to the National Consultative Committee that also held the consultation required by Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144). The Committee notes that the consultations required by Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), concerning employment policies are to be held with representatives of the persons affected (representatives of employers and workers and also representatives of other sectors, such as those working in the rural sector or in the informal economy). In this sense, the Committee would appreciate receiving more details on the tripartite consultations held on the matters covered by the Convention. Please indicate how the social partners and other persons concerned are involved in the process of the elaboration and implementation of employment policies.

4. Part V of the report form. The Government reports on ILO technical cooperation activities, including the ILO’s participation in the National Consultation on Employment Promotion Conference jointly held by the Government, the ILO and the UNDP in October 2001. Panel discussions were held on formal, informal and rural employment. The Committee asks the Government to report on the action taken as a result of the involvement of the ILO in providing technical assistance for the implementation of an active employment policy in the meaning of the Convention.

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

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report for the period ending September 2002, which contains some information related to the 1996 direct request.

1. The Committee observes that the Government of Mongolia in July 2003 adopted a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper entitled Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EGPRS) arguing that the main cause for poverty, malnutrition, deficiency of food and low income of the population is a high rate of unemployment. The Government reports that it intends to encourage an accelerated, socially fair and labour-intensive economic growth policy emphasizing the fields of the processing industry, household services for the population, infrastructure development, and environmental protection and restoration. Additionally, it will also seek to introduce efficient and fair provision of basic social services and targeted support for the poorest groups of the population. In this connection the Parliament of Mongolia has adopted laws on unemployment insurance, employment promotion, and exporting labour and importing labour and specialists to address the need of building an intensive policy for the labour market and an operational legal framework and economic environment. Since 2002 the Government has been implementing a National Programme for Employment Promotion. The Committee therefore requests that the Government states in its next report whether any particular difficulties have been encountered in achieving the employment objectives established in the EGPRS, as part of a coordinated economic and social policy, in consultation with representatives of those concerned, in accordance with Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention.

2. According to the statistics forwarded by the Government, of the Population and Housing Census 2000, the rate of employment is 51 per cent for those aged above 15. As of 1 January 2003 the population over 15 numbered 1,402,800 while the number of employed reached 832,600. The labour force participation rate was 61.5 per cent at the end of 2002. The unemployment rate was approximately 3.4 per cent (54 per cent of all unemployed are females and more than 60 per cent are young people aged 16-35). A labour market survey revealed a large emigration of workers and low labour productivity. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to compile and supply full and detailed statistical data on the situation and trends of the active population, employment, unemployment and underemployment for the country as a whole and at the regional level, disaggregated by sector, age, sex and skill level. Please also indicate the measures adopted to coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

3. Article 3. The Government refers to the National Consultative Committee that also held the consultation required by Convention No. 144. The Committee notes that the consultations required by Convention No. 122 concerning employment policies are to be held with representatives of the persons affected (representatives of employers and workers and also representatives of other sectors, such as those working in the rural sector or in the informal economy). In this sense, the Committee would appreciate receiving more details on the tripartite consultations held on the matters covered by the Convention. Please indicate how the social partners and other persons concerned are involved in the process of the elaboration and implementation of employment policies.

4. Part V of the report form. The Government reports on ILO technical cooperation activities, including the ILO’s participation in the National Consultation on Employment Promotion Conference jointly held by the Government, the ILO and the UNDP in October 2001. Panel discussions were held on formal, informal and rural employment. The Committee asks the Government to report on the action taken as a result of the involvement of the ILO in providing technical assistance for the implementation of an active employment policy in the meaning of the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

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 1996 direct request, which read as follows:

1. The Committee recalls that, under Article 1 of the Convention, the employment policy shall aim at ensuring that there is work for all who are available for and seeking work. In this respect, it would be grateful if the Government would describe the measures that have been taken or are envisaged to facilitate access to employment services by all persons who are seeking employment. Please continue to supply information on the number of persons who are placed in employment by the employment services.

2. The Committee notes that the Government’s Plan of Action has the objective of progressively reducing the unemployment rate to under 5.8 per cent by the year 2000 and between 3.5 and 4 per cent in 2010. The National Unemployment Reduction Programme adopted for this purpose provides for the creation of 120,000 job opportunities and for the training or retraining of 160,000 people. The Committee notes the statement that the employment policy formulated in the framework of this programme will have to be associated with structural, investment and social and economic policy. The Committee requests the Government to describe in its next report, as requested in the report form adopted by the Governing Body, the manner in which the measures adopted under the general economic policy contribute to combating unemployment. Please, in particular, describe the impact that privatizations have had or are expected to have on employment. Please also indicate the measures adopted to coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

3. The Committee notes the information on the jobs that have been created through the provision of preferential loans by the Employment Fund, and on the organization of public works. It notes with interest that technical assistance has been received from the competent ILO multidisciplinary advisory team in this respect. It requests the Government to continue supplying information on the implementation of the various employment creation and training measures, and particularly on measures that are specially intended for categories of the population that are identified as being particularly vulnerable, such as women with family responsibilities, young persons and persons with disabilities (see also Part V of the report form).

4. The Committee notes the statement that economic and social policies, including employment and industrial relations, are the subject of tripartite social dialogue. With reference to its previous requests, it asks the Government to describe the manner in which representatives of the persons affected are consulted in practice concerning employment policies, as required by Article 3 of the Convention. Please describe the procedures and institutions established for this purpose.

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

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:

1. The Committee recalls that, under Article 1 of the Convention, the employment policy shall aim at ensuring that there is work for all who are available for and seeking work. In this respect, it would be grateful if the Government would describe the measures that have been taken or are envisaged to facilitate access to employment services by all persons who are seeking employment. Please continue to supply information on the number of persons who are placed in employment by the employment services.

2. The Committee notes that the Government’s Plan of Action has the objective of progressively reducing the unemployment rate to under 5.8 per cent by the year 2000 and between 3.5 and 4 per cent in 2010. The National Unemployment Reduction Programme adopted for this purpose provides for the creation of 120,000 job opportunities and for the training or retraining of 160,000 people. The Committee notes the statement that the employment policy formulated in the framework of this programme will have to be associated with structural, investment and social and economic policy. The Committee requests the Government to describe in its next report, as requested in the report form adopted by the Governing Body, the manner in which the measures adopted under the general economic policy contribute to combating unemployment. Please, in particular, describe the impact that privatizations have had or are expected to have on employment. Please also indicate the measures adopted to coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

3. The Committee notes the information on the jobs that have been created through the provision of preferential loans by the Employment Fund, and on the organization of public works. It notes with interest that technical assistance has been received from the competent ILO multidisciplinary advisory team in this respect. It requests the Government to continue supplying information on the implementation of the various employment creation and training measures, and particularly on measures that are specially intended for categories of the population that are identified as being particularly vulnerable, such as women with family responsibilities, young persons and persons with disabilities (see also Part V of the report form).

4. The Committee notes the statement that economic and social policies, including employment and industrial relations, are the subject of tripartite social dialogue. With reference to its previous requests, it asks the Government to describe the manner in which representatives of the persons affected are consulted in practice concerning employment policies, as required by Article 3 of the Convention. Please describe the procedures and institutions established for this purpose.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

The Committee again 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 reads as follows:

1.  The Committee recalls that, under Article 1 of the Convention, the employment policy shall aim at ensuring that there is work for all who are available for and seeking work. In this respect, it would be grateful if the Government would describe the measures that have been taken or are envisaged to facilitate access to employment services by all persons who are seeking employment. Please continue to supply information on the number of persons who are placed in employment by the employment services.

2.  The Committee notes that the Government’s Plan of Action has the objective of progressively reducing the unemployment rate to under 5.8 per cent by the year 2000 and between 3.5 and 4 per cent in 2010. The National Unemployment Reduction Programme adopted for this purpose provides for the creation of 120,000 job opportunities and for the training or retraining of 160,000 people. The Committee notes the statement that the employment policy formulated in the framework of this programme will have to be associated with structural, investment and social and economic policy. The Committee requests the Government to describe in its next report, as requested in the report form adopted by the Governing Body, the manner in which the measures adopted under the general economic policy contribute to combating unemployment. Please, in particular, describe the impact that privatizations have had or are expected to have on employment. Please also indicate the measures adopted to coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

3.  The Committee notes the information on the jobs that have been created through the provision of preferential loans by the Employment Fund, and on the organization of public works. It notes with interest that technical assistance has been received from the competent ILO multidisciplinary advisory team in this respect. It requests the Government to continue supplying information on the implementation of the various employment creation and training measures, and particularly on measures that are specially intended for categories of the population that are identified as being particularly vulnerable, such as women with family responsibilities, young persons and persons with disabilities (see also Part V of the report form).

4.  The Committee notes the statement that economic and social policies, including employment and industrial relations, are the subject of tripartite social dialogue. With reference to its previous requests, it asks the Government to describe the manner in which representatives of the persons affected are consulted in practice concerning employment policies, as required by Article 3 of the Convention. Please describe the procedures and institutions established for this purpose.

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

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:

1. The Committee recalls that, under Article 1 of the Convention, the employment policy shall aim at ensuring that there is work for all who are available for and seeking work. In this respect, it would be grateful if the Government would describe the measures that have been taken or are envisaged to facilitate access to employment services by all persons who are seeking employment. Please continue to supply information on the number of persons who are placed in employment by the employment services.

2. The Committee notes that the Government's Plan of Action has the objective of progressively reducing the unemployment rate to under 5.8 per cent by the year 2000 and between 3.5 and 4 per cent in 2010. The National Unemployment Reduction Programme adopted for this purpose provides for the creation of 120,000 job opportunities and for the training or retraining of 160,000 people. The Committee notes the statement that the employment policy formulated in the framework of this programme will have to be associated with structural, investment and social and economic policy. The Committee requests the Government to describe in its next report, as requested in the report form adopted by the Governing Body, the manner in which the measures adopted under the general economic policy contribute to combating unemployment. Please, in particular, describe the impact that privatizations have had or are expected to have on employment. Please also indicate the measures adopted to coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

3. The Committee notes the information on the jobs that have been created through the provision of preferential loans by the Employment Fund, and on the organization of public works. It notes with interest that technical assistance has been received from the competent ILO multidisciplinary advisory team in this respect. It requests the Government to continue supplying information on the implementation of the various employment creation and training measures, and particularly on measures that are specially intended for categories of the population that are identified as being particularly vulnerable, such as women with family responsibilities, young persons and persons with disabilities (see also Part V of the report form).

4. The Committee notes the statement that economic and social policies, including employment and industrial relations, are the subject of tripartite social dialogue. With reference to its previous requests, it asks the Government to describe the manner in which representatives of the persons affected are consulted in practice concerning employment policies, as required by Article 3 of the Convention. Please describe the procedures and institutions established for this purpose.

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:

1. The Committee notes the Government's report and the useful information that it contains in reply to its previous request. It notes that, according to government estimates, 19.6 per cent of the active population was without employment at the end of 1995 and that unemployment continues principally to affect young school-leavers and unskilled workers. The Committee also notes that, of the persons who are without employment, only 20.7 per cent were registered with the employment services and that the registered unemployment rate was 5.4 per cent. It recalls that, under Article 1 of the Convention, the employment policy shall aim at ensuring that there is work for all who are available for and seeking work. In this respect, it would be grateful if the Government would describe the measures that have been taken or are envisaged to facilitate access to employment services by all persons who are seeking employment. Please continue to supply information on the number of persons who are placed in employment by the employment services.

2. The Committee notes that the Government's Plan of Action has the objective of progressively reducing the unemployment rate to under 5.8 per cent by the year 2000 and between 3.5 and 4 per cent in 2010. The National Unemployment Reduction Programme adopted for this purpose provides for the creation of 120,000 job opportunities and for the training or retraining of 160,000 people. The Committee notes the statement that the employment policy formulated in the framework of this programme will have to be associated with structural, investment and social and economic policy. The Committee requests the Government to describe in its next report, as requested in the report form adopted by the Governing Body, the manner in which the measures adopted under the general economic policy contribute to combating unemployment. Please, in particular, describe the impact that privatizations have had or are expected to have on employment. Please also indicate the measures adopted to coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

3. The Committee notes the information on the jobs that have been created through the provision of preferential loans by the Employment Fund, and on the organization of public works. It notes with interest that technical assistance has been received from the competent ILO multidisciplinary advisory team in this respect. It requests the Government to continue supplying information on the implementation of the various employment creation and training measures, and particularly on measures that are specially intended for categories of the population that are identified as being particularly vulnerable, such as women with family responsibilities, young persons and persons with disabilities (see also point V of the report form).

4. The Committee notes the statement that economic and social policies, including employment and industrial relations, are the subject of tripartite social dialogue. With reference to its previous requests, it asks the Government to describe the manner in which representatives of the persons affected are consulted in practice concerning employment policies, as required by Article 3 of the Convention. Please describe the procedures and institutions established for this purpose.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

1. The Committee notes the Government's report and the useful information that it contains in reply to its previous request. It notes that, according to government estimates, 19.6 per cent of the active population was without employment at the end of 1995 and that unemployment continues principally to affect young school-leavers and unskilled workers. The Committee also notes that, of the persons who are without employment, only 20.7 per cent were registered with the employment services and that the registered unemployment rate was 5.4 per cent. It recalls that, under Article 1 of the Convention, the employment policy shall aim at ensuring that there is work for all who are available for and seeking work. In this respect, it would be grateful if the Government would describe the measures that have been taken or are envisaged to facilitate access to employment services by all persons who are seeking employment. Please continue to supply information on the number of persons who are placed in employment by the employment services.

2. The Committee notes that the Government's Plan of Action has the objective of progressively reducing the unemployment rate to under 5.8 per cent by the year 2000 and between 3.5 and 4 per cent in 2010. The National Unemployment Reduction Programme adopted for this purpose provides for the creation of 120,000 job opportunities and for the training or retraining of 160,000 people. The Committee notes the statement that the employment policy formulated in the framework of this programme will have to be associated with structural, investment and social and economic policy. The Committee requests the Government to describe in its next report, as requested in the report form adopted by the Governing Body, the manner in which the measures adopted under the general economic policy contribute to combating unemployment. Please, in particular, describe the impact that privatizations have had or are expected to have on employment. Please also indicate the measures adopted to coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

3. The Committee notes the information on the jobs that have been created through the provision of preferential loans by the Employment Fund, and on the organization of public works. It notes with interest that technical assistance has been received from the competent ILO multidisciplinary advisory team in this respect. It requests the Government to continue supplying information on the implementation of the various employment creation and training measures, and particularly on measures that are specially intended for categories of the population that are identified as being particularly vulnerable, such as women with family responsibilities, young persons and persons with disabilities (see also point V of the report form).

4. The Committee notes the statement that economic and social policies, including employment and industrial relations, are the subject of tripartite social dialogue. With reference to its previous requests, it asks the Government to describe the manner in which representatives of the persons affected are consulted in practice concerning employment policies, as required by Article 3 of the Convention. Please describe the procedures and institutions established for this purpose.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It has been informed of the ILO advisory mission undertaken from 12-26 September 1992, which made recommendations on employment policy in the context of the transition to a market economy. The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report the action taken as a result of these recommendations. It hopes that the next report will also contain full information on the points raised in its previous direct request which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes the Government's report in reply to its previous direct request. In its report, the Government expresses its concern at the deterioration in the employment situation following the current restructuring process which is intended to ensure a transition to a market economy system. Employment rationalization measures in the public sector have resulted in the suppression of existing jobs with very few prospects of the creation of new jobs in the near future. According to the Government, at the beginning of 1991, 3.5 per cent of the active population were unemployed, of which a significant proportion were skilled workers and young persons who had recently left the education system.

2. The Government states that the Ministry of Labour, which has recently been established, is now responsible for employment policy, for: examining the situation and trends of employment; formulating policies for the employment of young persons, women and the disabled; and coordinating the activities of the national system of employment services. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply further information in its next report on the establishment and activities of employment offices and on the measures that have been taken or are envisaged in order to ensure that employment policy measures are decided upon on the basis of a detailed knowledge of the situation and trends of employment and unemployment at the local and regional levels for the various categories of the population. It hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to supply detailed statistics on employment, unemployment and underemployment.

3. The Committee notes, among the employment promotion measures referred to by the Government, the organization of work and measures to promote the development of small enterprises. Please supply information on the nature of these measures and the means by which they are implemented, and their effect on employment evaluated. Please also describe the nature and objectives of the State Employment Fund that it is planned to establish. The Government also indicates that it is planning to undertake a reform of the education and vocational training system in order to provide additional training for young persons leaving the education system and to retrain workers who have lost their jobs. Please supply information on developments in thes fields and the measures that have been adopted with a view to coordinating education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

4. The Government states that the development of the right of association has permitted the establishment of voluntary organizations to defend the rights of the unemployed and that they have been associated with discussions and measures to promote employment. Please provide information on the nature and objectives of these organizations and on the manner in which they contribute to the formulation and application of employment policies. More generally, please indicate the manner in which, in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention, the representatives of the persons affected by the measures to be taken, and in particular representatives of employers and workers, are consulted concerning employment policies.

5. The Committee notes the adoption in April 1991 of the Unemployment Benefit Act. It would be grateful if the Government would supply information on the implementation of this Act, particularly as regards labour market problems and policies.

6. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply with its next report copies of the official texts to which it refers. It would be particularly grateful to be supplied with the text of the decision "concerning certain employment measures", of the decision of November 1990 prohibiting unjustified dismissals, of the new Labour Code adopted in February 1991, and of the above Unemployment Benefit Act.

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

1. The Committee notes the Government's report and the useful information that it contains in reply to its previous request. The Committee notes that, according to the Government's estimates, the rate of registered unemployment rose to 8.3 per cent in 1994, in comparison with 3.5 per cent at the beginning of 1991. Unemployment principally affects rural areas and young persons leaving the school system. Employment prospects are a matter of particular concern in view of the rapid growth of the active population at a time when the reform of the centralized economic system is leading to the closure of many enterprises and redundancies arising out of the privatization process. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing as detailed information as possible on the situation and trends of employment, underemployment and unemployment, with an indication of the progress achieved in the compilation and analysis of the appropriate statistical data.

2. The Government states that, in this difficult situation, it adopted Decision No. 134 in August 1993 to establish measures for the promotion of employment and the reduction of unemployment, and that these take into account some of the recommendations adopted at the national employment symposium held in April 1993 in association with the ILO. The Committee notes in particular the establishment of a labour market information system and the organization of a network of employment services. It requests the Government to continue supplying information on the activities of the employment services. The Committee also notes the establishment of an employment fund, which is constituted partly from the resources of the privatization fund and which contributes to the funding of employment creation measures. A specific fund has also been established to promote the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. Please provide any available information on the measures financed by these funds. With reference to its previous request, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the unemployment compensation system and its coordination with employment policy.

3. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would also supply information on the manner in which the impact on employment is taken into account of the principle decisions in the field of general economic policy. Please, in particular, indicate whether measures are envisaged in the context of privatizations in order to provide employment for the workers in the enterprises concerned. The Committee notes that the Government is encouraging temporary migration for employment. Please continue to supply information on this subject and describe the measures adopted for this purpose.

4. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the manner in which the representatives of the persons affected by the measures to be taken in the field of employment policy, and particularly the representatives of employers and workers, are consulted with regard to employment policies, in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee cannot overemphasize the importance that it attaches to full effect being given to this fundamental provision of the Convention, particularly in the context of the deep-rooted structural reforms affecting the labour market.

5. The Committee notes with interest the information concerning the ILO technical cooperation projects which are being implemented. It requests the Government to continue providing information on technical cooperation activities for the formulation and implementation of employment policy (Part V of the report form).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

The Committee notes the Government's report, which contains no new information in reply to its previous request. It has also been informed of the ILO advisory mission undertaken from 12-26 September 1992, which made recommendations on employment policy in the context of the transition to a market economy. The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report the action taken as a result of these recommendations. It hopes that the next report will also contain full information on the points raised in its previous direct request which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes the Government's report in reply to its previous direct request. In its report, the Government expresses its concern at the deterioration in the employment situation following the current restructuring process which is intended to ensure a transition to a market economy system. Employment rationalization measures in the public sector have resulted in the suppression of existing jobs with very few prospects of the creation of new jobs in the near future. According to the Government, at the beginning of 1991, 3.5 per cent of the active population were unemployed, of which a significant proportion were skilled workers and young persons who had recently left the education system.

2. The Government states that the Ministry of Labour, which has recently been established, is now responsible for employment policy, for: examining the situation and trends of employment; formulating policies for the employment of young persons, women and the disabled; and coordinating the activities of the national system of employment services. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply further information in its next report on the establishment and activities of employment offices and on the measures that have been taken or are envisaged in order to ensure that employment policy measures are decided upon on the basis of a detailed knowledge of the situation and trends of employment and unemployment at the local and regional levels for the various categories of the population. It hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to supply detailed statistics on employment, unemployment and underemployment.

3. The Committee notes, among the employment promotion measures referred to by the Government, the organization of work and measures to promote the development of small enterprises. Please supply information on the nature of these measures and the means by which they are implemented, and their effect on employment evaluated. Please also describe the nature and objectives of the State Employment Fund that it is planned to establish. The Government also indicates that it is planning to undertake a reform of the education and vocational training system in order to provide additional training for young persons leaving the education system and to retrain workers who have lost their jobs. Please supply information on developments in thes fields and the measures that have been adopted with a view to coordinating education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

4. The Government states that the development of the right of association has permitted the establishment of voluntary organizations to defend the rights of the unemployed and that they have been associated with discussions and measures to promote employment. Please provide information on the nature and objectives of these organizations and on the manner in which they contribute to the formulation and application of employment policies. More generally, please indicate the manner in which, in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention, the representatives of the persons affected by the measures to be taken, and in particular representatives of employers and workers, are consulted concerning employment policies.

5. The Committee notes the adoption in April 1991 of the Unemployment Benefit Act. It would be grateful if the Government would supply information on the implementation of this Act, particularly as regards labour market problems and policies.

6. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply with its next report copies of the official texts to which it refers. It would be particularly grateful to be supplied with the text of the decision "concerning certain employment measures", of the decision of November 1990 prohibiting unjustified dismissals, of the new Labour Code adopted in February 1991, and of the above Unemployment Benefit Act.

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

1. The Committee notes the Government's report in reply to its previous direct request. In its report, the Government expresses its concern at the deterioration in the employment situation following the current restructuring process which is intended to ensure a transition to a market economy system. Employment rationalisation measures in the public sector have resulted in the suppression of existing jobs with very few prospects of the creation of new jobs in the near future. According to the Government, at the beginning of 1991, 3.5 per cent of the active population were unemployed, of which a significant proportion were skilled workers and young persons who had recently left the education system.

2. The Government states that the Ministry of Labour, which has recently been established, is now responsible for employment policy, particularly through the employment department, which is responsible for: examining the situation and trends of employment; formulating policies for the employment of young persons, women and the disabled; and coordinating the activities of the national system of employment services. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply further information in its next report on the establishment and activities of employment offices and on the measures that have been taken or are envisaged in order to ensure that employment policy measures are decided upon on the basis of a detailed knowledge of the situation and trends of employment and unemployment at the local and regional levels for the various categories of the population. It hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to supply detailed statistics on employment, unemployment and underemployment.

3. The Committee notes, among the employment promotion measures referred to by the Government, the organisation of work and measures to promote the development of small enterprises. Please supply information on the nature of these measures and the means by which they are implemented, and their effect on employment evaluated. Please also describe the nature and objectives of the State Employment Fund that it is planned to establish. The Government also indicates that it is planning to undertake a reform of the education and vocational training system in order to provide additional training for young persons leaving the education system and to retrain workers who have lost their jobs. Please supply information on developments in these fields and the measures that have been adopted with a view to coordinating education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

4. The Government states that the development of the right of association has permitted the establishment of voluntary organisations to defend the rights of the unemployed and that they have been associated with discussions and measures to promote employment. Please provide information on the nature and objectives of these organisations and on the manner in which they contribute to the formulation and application of employment policies. More generally, please indicate the manner in which, in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention, the representatives of the persons affected by the measures to be taken, and in particular representatives of employers and workers, are consulted concerning employment policies.

5. The Committee notes the adoption in April 1991 of the Unemployment Benefit Act. It would be grateful if the Government would supply information on the implementation of this Act, particularly as regards labour market problems and policies.

6. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply with its next report copies of the official texts to which it refers. It would be particularly grateful to be supplied with the text of the decision "concerning certain employment measures", of the decision of November 1990 prohibiting unjustified dismissals, of the new Labour Code adopted in February 1991, and of the above Unemployment Benefit Act.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in reply to its previous comments. It notes in particular the adoption of the following laws and orders: the Act of the Mongolian People's Republic on state enterprises, of 29 November 1988; the Act of the Mongolian People's Republic on Co-operatives, of 24 June 1989; Order No. 77 of 1988, of the Council of Ministers of the Mongolian People's Republic respecting support for individual labour activity and the development of co-operatives; Order No. 48, of 13 March 1989, of the Council of Ministers of the Mongolian People's Republic on measures to increase production and improve the supply of consumer goods; and Order No. 276 of 1 December 1989, of the Council of Ministers of the Mongolian People's Republic on measures to create additional jobs. Please supply information on the application of the above texts, particularly as regards their impact on employment, and supply, where available, copies of texts that are of particular relevance to the application of the Convention. Please also supply additional information on the following points:

1. The Committee notes the information that 81,000 jobs were created between 1986 and 1989, that the number of unemployed was 24,600 at the end of that period and that 16,100 jobs were to be created in 1990. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information on the situation, levels and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, both in the aggregate and as they affect particular categories of workers such as women, young persons, older workers and disabled workers. Please also indicate the extent to which employment objectives included in development plans and programmes have been or are being attained (Article 1 of the Convention).

2. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government that its economic strategy provides for active promotion of the development of individual activities and co-operatives within the framework of the current restructuring process that is based, in particular, on the application of democratic principles and economic methods especially as regards the policy on enterprises. The Government states that it is seriously concerned with the problems of the rational management of human resources. Urgent measures are required to create new jobs and provide training and retraining. The Government also states that the Labour Code is currently being revised, and that the Constitution is to be amended. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue supplying information on the principal policies pursued and the measures taken to ensure that there is work for all who are available for and seeking work and that it is as productive as possible (Article 1, paragraph 2(a), (b) and (c)). Please make particular reference, in so far as they are relevant to conditions in the country, to the matters set out in the report form under Article 1 of the Convention.

3. The Committee notes the establishment in 1988 of the State Planning and Economic Committee, which has been assigned several functions in the field of labour resource management, and the institution in 1989 of planning and economic departments in each "aimag" and each town. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information on the activities of the State Committee and the regional departments, and particularly if it would indicate the manner in which they are co-ordinated.

4. The Committee notes that the executive bodies of provinces (aimag) and towns have been made responsible for taking measures to create small workshops to produce clothes and other manufactured products, and to develop crafts. It would be grateful if the Government would supply information on the impact of these measures on employment.

5. The Committee notes the information of the coexistence of an excess of labour in certain occupations and a lack of labour in other occupations, varying in sectors and regions of the country, and leading to, as a result of recruitment and relocation operations, the movement of 3,000 workers, accompanied by 3,500 members of their families, to regions where there was a lack of labour between 1986 and 1989. It would be grateful if the Government would give further information on the impact of these movements, and particularly on the nature of the jobs or activities undertaken. More generally, please describe the measures that have been taken or are envisaged to ensure the matching of labour supply and demand, on both an occupational and geographical basis, including measures for the adjustment of labour to structural change.

6. Please indicate the manner in which representatives of those affected are consulted concerning employment policies, including consultations with representatives of employers' and workers' organisations and consultations with representatives of other sectors of the economically active population such as those working in the rural sector (Article 3).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1989, published 76th ILC session (1989)

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 the previous direct request. The report describes the steps taken within the framework of the Special Comprehensive Programme up to the year 2000 by the 1986 Ordinance on measures to improve the utilisation of labour resources. These measures include job reservation for the young and the improvement of prospects of productive employment for those not otherwise engaged in organised work (e.g. those occupied in housework or on small private plots of land, and older workers). Such employment may be created through "working partnerships" in activities such as housing repair and construction, child care, dressmaking, or transport services; a similar form of organisation has apparently been instituted in respect of herdsmen, especially in regions where there are labour shortages. The Government also indicates that it is preparing to deal with the issue of the more rational organisation of employment in combinations, both in the form of own-account working and in co-operatives. With the establishment of working partnerships, subsidiary production facilities and subsidiary plots, the number of jobs is expected to rise by about 3 per cent during the current five-year plan, and the Government expects the utilisation of labour resources to continue to improve. The Government also points to improvements in labour productivity as a result of better organisation of production, the strengthening of labour discipline, use of improved technology, better qualifications of the workforce and increased responsibility for the final results of work. Given the significance of agriculture in the national economy, special attention is being given to instilling modern techniques and methods of management.

The Committee hopes the Government will continue to provide information on developments in connection with these matters, in order to show the steps being taken towards the goals of the Convention. It would be most grateful if the Government would endeavour to supply a report on the Convention in the form approved by the Governing Body. The Committee would be particularly glad if the Government would provide all available statistics on the employment situation, showing the employment effects of the important measures and proposals referred to in the report - for example, the "working partnerships", own-account working, and co-operatives.