Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Guernsey

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

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

Article 1 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee takes note of the detailed information provided by the Government on the application and impact of employment and training initiatives adopted within the framework of an active employment policy. The Government indicates that, since the introduction of the Progress to Work Initiative in 2014, the number of jobseekers has significantly decreased and that the Rent Rebate, available only for those in social rented housing, exists as a separate means-tested benefit, the granting of which does not require the claimant to work. The Committee notes that, from July 2018, the Rent Rebate will be phased out and the Supplementary Benefit will be converted to Income Support benefit which will be the single means-tested benefit available through social security. The Government indicates that not everyone who is receiving this benefit will be required to work (e.g. people with sickness or disability and single parents of young children). The Committee notes that these changes will effectively extend the Progress to Work Initiative to all those of working age who are receiving a means-tested benefit. Furthermore, the Government, under the umbrella of the “Longer Working Lives” scheme, introduced initiatives to promote the employment of older workers. The Committee notes that Back to Work benefits allow the Job Centre to assist jobseekers that incur costs associated with returning to work and to provide an economic incentive to businesses that hire individuals who have been unemployed for over six months.The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated and detailed information on the content and impact of employment initiatives adopted within the framework of an active employment policy.

Education and training policies. The Government indicates that the Job Centre operates a number of employment skills programmes, such as the Community and Environmental Projects Scheme, aimed at developing skills and providing qualifications, and the Kickstart Placements scheme aimed at encouraging employers to give less-qualified jobseekers a trial placement. The Committee notes that a number of jobseekers have secured ongoing employment with their Kickstart employer or have successfully gained employment elsewhere at the conclusion of their placement. It also notes that, apart from regular employment services, other ad hoc vocational courses are provided which are targeted at high-demand areas of employment, such as the care sector. Jobseekers may also be referred to the College of Further Education, which provides vocationally focused education across a wide array of subjects. Furthermore, the Government indicates that Skills Guernsey is helping the local business community achieve a competitive edge in the global marketplace by ensuring a highly skilled workforce which responds to industry demands, through coordinated training offered by publicly funded training providers. The Committee notes that Skills Guernsey has developed a strategy to address skills gaps and new industry challenges. It also notes that the Digital Framework, published in 2016, has contributed to significant developments in work streams that focus on developing digital skills.The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on training initiatives adopted or envisaged in the area of vocational training.

Article 2. Labour market statistics and information. With regard to employment trends, the Government notes that, at the time of drafting the 2017 report, 31,195 people were employed or self-employed, with a roughly equal gender division among those who were employed. The Committee notes that, according to the Guernsey Quarterly Population, Employment and Earnings Bulletin, issued in August 2017, there was an overall increase of 1.5 per cent in the number of people who were either employed or self-employed during the year ending on 31 March 2017. During the same period, the registered unemployment rate was 1.2 per cent, which was 0.3 percentage points lower than the previous year. The Committee also notes that, out of those registered as unemployed, 30.1 per cent were women, compared to 36 per cent at the same time the previous year.The Committee requests the Government to provide updated statistical information, disaggregated by age and sex, on labour market and employment trends, including in relation to employment, unemployment and underemployment.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of policies.The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the nature and extent of the involvement of the social partners in the development and implementation of active employment policies and programmes, including vocational education and training measures.

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

Article 1 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee takes note of the detailed information provided by the Government on the application and impact of employment and training initiatives adopted within the framework of an active employment policy. The Government indicates that, since the introduction of the Progress to Work Initiative in 2014, the number of jobseekers has significantly decreased and that the Rent Rebate, available only for those in social rented housing, exists as a separate means-tested benefit, the granting of which does not require the claimant to work. The Committee notes that, from July 2018, the Rent Rebate will be phased out and the Supplementary Benefit will be converted to Income Support benefit which will be the single means-tested benefit available through social security. The Government indicates that not everyone who is receiving this benefit will be required to work (e.g. people with sickness or disability and single parents of young children). The Committee notes that these changes will effectively extend the Progress to Work Initiative to all those of working age who are receiving a means-tested benefit. Furthermore, the Government, under the umbrella of the “Longer Working Lives” scheme, introduced initiatives to promote the employment of older workers. The Committee notes that Back to Work benefits allow the Job Centre to assist jobseekers that incur costs associated with returning to work and to provide an economic incentive to businesses that hire individuals who have been unemployed for over six months. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated and detailed information on the content and impact of employment initiatives adopted within the framework of an active employment policy.

Education and training policies. The Government indicates that the Job Centre operates a number of employment skills programmes, such as the Community and Environmental Projects Scheme, aimed at developing skills and providing qualifications, and the Kickstart Placements scheme aimed at encouraging employers to give less-qualified jobseekers a trial placement. The Committee notes that a number of jobseekers have secured ongoing employment with their Kickstart employer or have successfully gained employment elsewhere at the conclusion of their placement. It also notes that, apart from regular employment services, other ad hoc vocational courses are provided which are targeted at high-demand areas of employment, such as the care sector. Jobseekers may also be referred to the College of Further Education, which provides vocationally focused education across a wide array of subjects. Furthermore, the Government indicates that Skills Guernsey is helping the local business community achieve a competitive edge in the global marketplace by ensuring a highly skilled workforce which responds to industry demands, through coordinated training offered by publicly funded training providers. The Committee notes that Skills Guernsey has developed a strategy to address skills gaps and new industry challenges. It also notes that the Digital Framework, published in 2016, has contributed to significant developments in work streams that focus on developing digital skills. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on training initiatives adopted or envisaged in the area of vocational training.

Article 2. Labour market statistics and information. With regard to employment trends, the Government notes that, at the time of drafting the 2017 report, 31,195 people were employed or self-employed, with a roughly equal gender division among those who were employed. The Committee notes that, according to the Guernsey Quarterly Population, Employment and Earnings Bulletin, issued in August 2017, there was an overall increase of 1.5 per cent in the number of people who were either employed or self-employed during the year ending on 31 March 2017. During the same period, the registered unemployment rate was 1.2 per cent, which was 0.3 percentage points lower than the previous year. The Committee also notes that, out of those registered as unemployed, 30.1 per cent were women, compared to 36 per cent at the same time the previous year. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated statistical information, disaggregated by age and sex, on labour market and employment trends, including in relation to employment, unemployment and underemployment.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of policies. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the nature and extent of the involvement of the social partners in the development and implementation of active employment policies and programmes, including vocational education and training measures.

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

Article 1 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government provides information on its Progress to Work Initiative, which is aimed at working-age persons receiving supplementary benefit. The Government indicates that the Supplementary Benefit (Guernsey) (Amendment) Law of 2014 amends the eligibility criteria for supplementary benefit, adopting a work-focused approach requiring all beneficiaries, including single parents with children under the age of seven, to engage with the “work requirement”. The Government points out, however, that those who are not able or not expected to work will not be under any obligation to do so. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Initiative’s focus on work will take into account barriers to employment, such as lack of appropriate training or qualifications, long-term absence from work or lack of basic application and presentation skills. Thus, in the context of the Progress to Work Initiative, the Social Security Department has worked with the College of Further Education to develop courses to prepare people for work, including a specific framework to help single parents. The Government indicates that, since the initiative began, over 300 people have been referred to the job centre. With respect to training initiatives, the Government indicates that the Skills Guernsey group is pursuing two initiatives: a skills gap analysis based on information gathered through an employer skills survey, which will inform the development of an action plan to address gaps identified, and digital wisdom, which aims to develop all islanders’ digital skills. The Government adds that the information gathered through the employer skills survey has been discussed with business groups and providers of training and education. With regard to employment trends, the Committee notes that, according to the Guernsey Quarterly Population, Employment and Earnings Bulletin, issued in April 2017, the total number of persons in employment (employed and self-employed) decreased from the first quarter of 2012 (32,109 persons) to December 2016 (30,851 persons). It notes that there was a slight increase of 0.9 per cent (annual percentage) in the number of people either employed or self-employed for the year ending 31 December 2016. During the same period, there was a slight decrease of 0.2 per cent in the unemployment rate. The Committee also notes that the employment rates for women and men were similar, with 49 per cent of employed people aged 16 to 64 being female and 51 per cent being male. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of employment and training initiatives adopted within the implementation of an active employment policy, including the Progress to Work Initiative and other employment and training measures. It further requests the Government to provide information in its next report on consultations held with the social partners concerning the development and implementation of the skills action plan and its impact.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

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

Article 1 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report received in August 2012, along with the Guernsey Quarterly Labour Market Bulletin of June 2012. The Committee notes a slight increase in total employment from the first quarter of 2010 (31,605 persons) to the first quarter of 2012 (32,109 persons). In this same period, unemployment slightly increased, from 339 to 416 people. The Government indicates in its report that the States Strategic Plan 2011–16 has the following general objectives: to achieve full employment; to develop a skilled and flexible labour market; to promote equality of educational opportunity; and to encourage all who need, or are able, to work to find employment. The Government also reports that it has introduced a system of monitoring performance against strategic aims. The States Strategic Monitoring Report 2011 provided that key performance indicators will be developed in order to monitor the progress of the skills strategy, which the Skills Strategy Development Group has been tasked with producing. The group has identified the need to improve the information and evidence on Guernsey’s skills and skills needs. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on employment and training measures launched within the implementation of an active employment policy.

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

Article 1 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report received in August 2012, along with the Guernsey Quarterly Labour Market Bulletin of June 2012. The Committee notes a slight increase in total employment from the first quarter of 2010 (31,605 persons) to the first quarter of 2012 (32,109 persons). In this same period, unemployment slightly increased, from 339 to 416 people. The Government indicates in its report that the States Strategic Plan 2011–16 has the following general objectives: to achieve full employment; to develop a skilled and flexible labour market; to promote equality of educational opportunity; and to encourage all who need, or are able, to work to find employment. The Government also reports that it has introduced a system of monitoring performance against strategic aims. The States Strategic Monitoring Report 2011 provided that key performance indicators will be developed in order to monitor the progress of the skills strategy, which the Skills Strategy Development Group has been tasked with producing. The group has identified the need to improve the information and evidence on Guerney’s skills and skills needs. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on employment and training measures launched within the implementation of an active employment policy.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Article 1 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee takes note of the updated statistical data contained in the Government’s report received in August 2010. The Committee notes an increase in unemployment from 2007 to 2009 and a slight increase among the total number of employed persons. The Government indicates initiatives through the departments of education, commerce, employment and social security to ensure that all sectors of the community can access appropriate employment or supportive training to obtain sustainable employment. The Committee notes special employment assistance for vulnerable groups including young persons, people with disabilities, ex-offenders and people with mental health needs. Through the Billet d’Etat XX from September 2010, the Government indicates strategic plans to promote employment in sustained service trades, employment uses with low-added value and business start-ups. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report further information on employment and training initiatives for the implementation of an active employment policy.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

Article 1 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee takes note of the statistical data contained in the Government’s report received in September 2008. The Committee notes a slight increase in the level of unemployment between 2004 and 2006. The highest rate of unemployment recorded in a month in 2004 was 0.4 per cent, whereas in 2006 the highest rate of unemployment was 0.7 per cent. The Committee notes from the Government’s 2006 report, that it has developed work streams, programmes that are intended to stimulate economic growth and development and to make the island an attractive place in which to do business. In addition, the Government was pursuing a further work stream that is intended to assist in the delivery of an adaptable and well-trained workforce in the workplace. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide such information on employment trends and the labour market measures adopted.

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

The Committee would be grateful if the Government would, in its next reports, provide statistical data on employment that is as detailed as possible for the reporting period and, where appropriate, the relevant information on the labour market policy measures implemented in the territory.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide, in its next report, information on the labour market policy programmes to which it refers, specifying the number of people concerned and the results obtained.

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

The Committee notes with interest the information supplied in reply to its previous direct request. It invites the Government to continue to supply available information on employment levels and trends and the results obtained from training and placement measures and, more generally, how short- and medium-term labour market policies referred to in the report are being implemented.

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

1. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government concerning the unemployment rate, which still remains very low, and the data from the 1986 census concerning the working population, and notes, however, that employment statistics are not regularly compiled. It also notes that the special employment and training schemes, which have been referred to previously, continued to operate with success. With reference to its previous direct request, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply the information on the rate of placements achieved by the Labour and Welfare Committee, in particular through improved labour market information and contact with prospective employers. In particular, please supply information on the employment situation in light industry and in financial establishments, which were covered by one of the Government's previous reports.

2. The Committee notes the Right to Work (Limitation and Proof) (Guernsey) Law of 1990. It would be grateful if the Government would supply information on the application of this Law as regards its implications on the employment situation and on employment policy. It would also be grateful if it would supply information on the short- and medium-term objectives of its labour market policy, in connection with which the suggestions contained in Part X of Recommendation No. 169 may be useful concerning certain aspects of the relation between international migration and employment.