Unemployment Convention, 1919 (No. 2) - Guyana (Ratification: 1966)

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

The Committee recalls that the ILO Governing Body, at its 337th Session in October–November 2019, on the recommendation of the Standards Review Mechanism Tripartite Working Group, classified Convention No. 2 as an outdated instrument and agreed that it would decide the appropriate date at which the Conference should consider its abrogation or withdrawal in 2026. The Governing Body requested the Office to undertake tailored follow-up action to actively encourage Member States parties to this outdated Convention to ratify the related up-to-date Conventions covering the subject matter of each of its three substantive provisions, with a view to preventing a gap in legal protection. The Committee takes note of the Government’s indication that it will engage in discussions with social partners regarding the possibility of ratifying recent instruments pertaining to matters covered by the Convention. The Committee encourages the Government to follow-up the Governing Body’s decision at its 337th Session (October–November 2019) approving the recommendations of the Standards Review Mechanism Tripartite Working Group, and to consider ratifyingthe Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160), the Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88), and either the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102) (accepting the obligations in its Part IV), the Equality of Treatment (Social Security) Convention, 1962 (No. 118) (accepting its obligations in respect of unemployment benefit), or the Employment Promotion and Protection against Unemployment Convention, 1988 (No. 168), the most up-to-date instruments in this subject area. The Committee reminds the Government of the possibility to avail itself of the technical assistance of the Office in this regard.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Measures to combat unemployment. Employment agencies. The Committee notes that the Guyana Labour Force Surveys reveal an increase in the country’s overall unemployment rate from 12.2 per cent in 2017 to 14.5 per cent in 2021. The surveys further highlight persistent challenges notably the high youth unemployment rate (rising from 22.9 per cent to 31.9 per cent in the period 2017–21), and a higher rate of unemployment for women (18.4 per cent in 2021), particularly young women (39.3 per cent in 2021), compared to men (12 per cent in 2021) and young men (25.8 per cent in 2021). The Government emphasizes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the unemployment rate and anticipates a return to the 2017 unemployment rate of 12.2 per cent in 2022. The Government also indicates that it implemented several initiatives in 2022 aimed at enhancing employment opportunities. These include the establishment of the National Job Bank, an online portal facilitating job seekers’ search for employment. The Government reports that since its inception, over 3’817 jobseekers have been registered with the National Job Bank, and 276 employers have been utilizing the platform, resulting in over 600 individuals securing employment through this service. Other measures include the Part-time Job Programme, which is part of the Government’s goal to create 50’000 jobs by 2025. The Government also invested in several training programs, including the Guyana Online Academy (GOAL), Get Ready for Opportunities to Work (GROW), the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), designed to address skills gaps and foster future employment opportunities. The Government expects that these measures, combined with investments in expanding sectors such as oil and gas, will lead to a reduction in unemployment levels. The Government indicates that no studies were conducted to determine the employment rate of persons graduating from the National Training Programme for Youth Employment (NTPYE). The Government however provides data from the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA). The Committee notes that while the number of jobseekers registered with the CRMA increased from 2’431 to 4’673 persons between 2016 and 2022, the number of persons placed in employment by the CRMA decreased from 2’230 to 363 persons in the same period. The Government did not provide information on the coordination between the employment services provided by the CRMA and the National Job Bank. Noting the persistently high levels of youth unemployment in the country, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed, updated, information on the measures adopted to address youth unemployment as well as information on the impact of such measures, including the employment rate of persons graduating from the National Training Programme for Youth Employment (NTPYE). Noting also the high unemployment rate of women, especially of young women, in comparison to that of men and young men in the country, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures adopted specifically to combat unemployment amongst women, as well as on the challenges encountered in this respect. Recalling the importance of coordinating the operations of employment services in combating unemployment, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to coordinate the services provided by the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) and by the National Job Bank. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide updated statistics relating to trends in unemployment, disaggregated by sex and age, as well as data on the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified, and the number of persons placed in employment by the CRMA and through the National Job Bank.

Article 3.Unemployment insurance. In response to the Committee’s previous comment regarding the establishment of an unemployment insurance system, the Government indicates that, in view of the country’s rapid economic growth and labour shortages, it contemplates measures to fill skills gaps and shortage of labour. The Committee takes note of this information and requests the Government to keep it informed in this regard.

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

Articles 1–3 of the Convention. Measures to combat unemployment. Employment agencies. Unemployment insurance. The Committee notes the Government’s report for the period 2014–15, received in September 2017. The Committee notes that there have been no steps towards the communication of all available information to the ILO in satisfaction of the timescale stated in Article 1. However, the Government indicates that the relevant data is being compiled on a monthly basis by the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA). The Government indicates that the basic operating procedures of the CRMA include: establishing a database on vacancies by category in both the public and private sectors; registering the employment preferences of jobseekers; referring jobseekers to potential employers in accordance with such preferences; and monitoring retention and attrition rates through visits to employers. In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that during the 2014–15 period, the CRMA registered 3,433 unemployed persons. It received 3,205 vacancy notices, referred 3,746 jobseekers to fill vacant positions, with 3,097 jobseekers being placed into suitable jobs. The Government adds that the CRMA carried out 768 visits to employers and prospective employers during this period. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there is no known and registered private employment agency operating in Guyana. With regard to the National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE), the Government indicates that 1,170 persons graduated from the programme in 2015, but that a survey has yet to be carried out to determine the number of graduates employed following their graduation. The Government reports that there is no system of unemployment insurance in the country. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated statistics relating to trends in unemployment, disaggregated by sex and age, as well as detailed information on the impact of the measures adopted to reduce unemployment. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide data on the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment by the CRMA (Article 1 of the Convention). It would also welcome receiving data on the number of NTYPE graduates who obtained employment following their participation in the programme, disaggregated by sex, age and type of training. Referring to the 2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments, the Committee once again invites the Government and the social partners to consider the possibility of ratifying one or more of these more recent instruments concerning matters covered by the Convention: the Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88), the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181). The Committee also requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to establish a system of insurance against unemployment (Article 3).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

The Committee notes with regret 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

Measures to combat unemployment. The Committee notes that in 2009, the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) embarked on a promotional drive to reintroduce its services for employers and unemployed persons. This was done through the distribution of registration forms to secondary schools and graduating students of the National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE), the advertisement of CRMA services in newspapers and the distribution of its brochures to private and public agencies to develop effective partnerships with major stakeholders. In 2009, 2,023 of the 2,723 jobseekers registered at the CRMA were placed in employment. The Committee further notes that the NTPYE, run since 2006 by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) in collaboration with vocational education and training institutions, is aimed at training unemployed youth in skills that are vital for the labour market. In 2009, 1,498 young persons were trained under this project. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information in its next report on the measures taken to combat unemployment, including data on the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment by the CRMA (Article 1 of the Convention). The Committee also requests the Government to supply disaggregated data on young persons obtaining employment following their participation in the NTYPE. Please also describe the steps taken to coordinate the operation of public and private employment services (Article 2(2)). The Committee also refers to the 2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments and invites the Government and the social partners to contemplate ratifying more recent Conventions regarding the issues covered by Convention No. 2, that is, the Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88), the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181).

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

Measures to combat unemployment. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in May 2012 in reply to its previous comments. The Committee notes that in 2009, the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) embarked on a promotional drive to reintroduce its services for employers and unemployed persons. This was done through the distribution of registration forms to secondary schools and graduating students of the National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE), the advertisement of CRMA services in newspapers and the distribution of its brochures to private and public agencies to develop effective partnerships with major stakeholders. In 2009, 2,023 of the 2,723 jobseekers registered at the CRMA were placed in employment. The Committee further notes that the NTPYE, run since 2006 by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) in collaboration with vocational education and training institutions, is aimed at training unemployed youth in skills that are vital for the labour market. In 2009, 1,498 young persons were trained under this project. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information in its next report on the measures taken to combat unemployment, including data on the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment by the CRMA (Article 1 of the Convention). The Committee also requests the Government to supply disaggregated data on young persons obtaining employment following their participation in the NTYPE. Please also describe the steps taken to coordinate the operation of public and private employment services (Article 2(2)). The Committee also refers to the 2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments and invites the Government and the social partners to contemplate ratifying more recent Conventions regarding the issues covered by Convention No. 2, that is, the Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88), the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181).

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

Measures to combat unemployment. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in May 2012 in reply to its previous comments. The Committee notes that in 2009, the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) embarked on a promotional drive to reintroduce its services for employers and unemployed persons. This was done through the distribution of registration forms to secondary schools and graduating students of the National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE), the advertisement of CRMA services in newspapers and the distribution of its brochures to private and public agencies to develop effective partnerships with major stakeholders. In 2009, 2,023 of the 2,723 jobseekers registered at the CRMA were placed in employment. The Committee further notes that the NTPYE, run since 2006 by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) in collaboration with vocational education and training institutions, is aimed at training unemployed youth in skills that are vital for the labour market. In 2009, 1,498 young persons were trained under this project. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information in its next report on the measures taken to combat unemployment, including data on the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment by the CRMA (Article 1 of the Convention). The Committee also requests the Government to supply disaggregated data on young persons obtaining employment following their participation in the NTYPE. Please also describe the steps taken to coordinate the operation of public and private employment services (Article 2(2)). The Committee also refers to the 2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments and invites the Government and the social partners to contemplate ratifying more recent Conventions regarding the issues covered by Convention No. 2, that is, the Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88), the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181).

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

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 2006 direct request, which read as follows:

Repetition

Measures to combat unemployment. The Committee refers to its previous comments and notes the information provided by the Government in May 2006 concerning the activities of the Training and Placement Committee in collaboration with the Central Recruitment and Placement Agency now under way, such as a skills survey. It asks the Government to provide in its next report further information on the measures taken to combat unemployment in Guyana, including data on the development of free public employment services (Article 1 of the Convention). Please also describe the steps taken to coordinate the operation of public and private employment services (Article 2(2)).

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

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:

Measures to combat unemployment. The Committee refers to its previous comments and notes the information provided by the Government in May 2006 concerning the activities of the Training and Placement Committee in collaboration with the Central Recruitment and Placement Agency now under way, such as a skills survey. It asks the Government to provide in its next report further information on the measures taken to combat unemployment in Guyana, including data on the development of free public employment services (Article 1 of the Convention). Please also describe the steps taken to coordinate the operation of public and private employment services (Article 2(2)).

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

Measures to combat unemployment. The Committee refers to its previous comments and notes the information provided by the Government in May 2006 concerning the activities of the Training and Placement Committee in collaboration with the Central Recruitment and Placement Agency now under way, such as a skills survey. It asks the Government to provide in its next report further information on the measures taken to combat unemployment in Guyana, including data on the development of free public employment services (Article 1 of the Convention). Please also describe the steps taken to coordinate the operation of public and private employment services (Article 2, paragraph 2).

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

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes that a report has not been received for the period ending in September 2005. It refers to its 1998 observation and asks the Government to supply information on the activities of the Training and Placement Committee, including indications on measures taken or contemplated to combat unemployment.

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

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government in its report. The Government indicates that a Training and Placement Committee has been established to advise and oversee the operations of the Central Recruitment and Placement Agency of the Ministry of Labour. This Committee comprises two representatives of the employers' organization, two representatives of the workers' organization and two government representatives. The Committee hopes that in its next reports, the Government will continue to supply information on the progress achieved by the Training and Placement Committee, including reports on measures taken or contemplated to combat unemployment.

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

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report. The Government indicates that at present there is no committee which includes representatives of employers and workers to advise on matters concerning the operation of the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency, except in the case of seafarers, but that discussions are being held with employers' and workers' representatives for the establishment of such a committee.

The Committee hopes that such a committee will be established in the near future and asks the Government to supply, in its next report, information on any progress achieved in this connection. Please indicate, in particular, how an advisory committee is constituted and appointed and what method is adopted for the choice of the employers' and workers' representatives, as required by the report form under this Article.