Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Nicaragua (Ratification: 1981)

Articles 1 to 3 of the Convention. Adoption and implementation of an active employment policy in the context of a coordinated economic and social policy. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes with regret that, despite its reiterated requests, the Government has not provided full and systematic information on an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment. However, the Committee notes that the Government has provided information on various training and financing projects, some of which are based on international cooperation, in the agricultural or rural sectors, which have generated a number of jobs, with reference to the impact of some of the projects on the employment of women, young persons and Mestizo groups. With reference to the measures adopted to promote the transition of workers from the informal to the formal economy, the Committee also notes the Government’s indications on the measures taken to simplify administrative registration for employers and on their positive impact on the number of employers registered. Finally, the Committee notes the statistical information provided on the distribution of the workforce and the unemployment rate by region in Nicaragua. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide full, systematic, up-to-date and detailed information on: (i) the measures adopted with a view to the formulation, in consultation with the social partners, of an active policy to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment; and (ii) the various programmes and measures implemented with a view to generating employment, including the National Plan to Combat Poverty and Promote Human Development 2022-26, and on their impact (particularly in relation to specific groups, such as women, persons with disabilities, small-scale producers and indigenous and Afro-Nicaraguan communities in rural areas).

Youth employment. The Committee notes that the Government’s indications do not contain the information requested previously and therefore it once again requests it to provide detailed and up-to-date information on the measures adopted or envisaged to promote the employment of young persons, especially those who are vulnerable. It also once again requests the Government to provide updated statistical information, disaggregated by sex, age and region, on their impact in terms of the lasting integration of young persons into the labour market.

Export processing zones. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the measures adopted under the Tripartite Agreement on Export Processing Zones, in relation to which work suspensions of between 15 days and three months were authorized between January and December 2020 which affected 9,108 workers (5,652 men and 3,456 women). The Government also indicates that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt in employment in export processing zones over the long term. The employment figures in industrial enterprises in export processing zones were 120,731 in 2019, 121,575 in January 2022, 138,260 in March 2022 and the highest figures of 140,866 in July 2022. In February 2023, there were 129,194 jobs (66,093 men and 63,101 women) employed in 215 enterprises in export processing zones. The Government adds that these fluctuations are due to internal and external factors, such as the lack of raw materials and a decline in orders. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing up-to-date information, disaggregated by sex and age, with an analysis of the contribution of export processing zones and the impact of the Tripartite Agreement on Export Processing Zones on the creation of sustainable quality employment that is in conformity with the requirements of decent work.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Committee regrets to note that, despite its repeated requests, the Government has not provided information on the Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Development Programme Action Plan (PROMIPYME) and the reactivation of the National Council for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (CONAMIPYME), and particularly on their impact on employment creation in areas with the largest concentration of people living in extreme poverty. However, the Committee notes the information provided on the measures adopted, including the creation of 20 offices to provide services for entrepreneurs, platforms and commercial fairs, and advice and guidance to entrepreneurs. Nevertheless, the Committee notes that the Government has not provided information or up-to-date statistics, disaggregated by age and sex, on the measures adopted for the reduction of informality and their impact. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide up-to-date and detailed information, including statistical data, disaggregated by age and sex, on the impact of the measures adopted by the Government to promote the development of SMEs and employment generation. It also requests the Government to indicate the results of these measures in terms of the reduction of the informality rate, taking into account the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy Recommendation, 2015 (No. 204).

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in policy formulation and implementation. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that copies of its report containing replies were made known to workers’ and employers’ organizations, as well as the information provided by the National Chamber of Medium-Sized and Small Industry and Crafts in Nicaragua (CONAPI) on the formulation of an active policy to promote full employment. The Committee nevertheless notes that the requested information on the consultations held with the social partners has not been provided. The Committee therefore reiterates its request to the Governmentto provide detailed and up-to-date information on the consultations held with the social partners and representatives of the person affected by employment policies and programmes.