Observación (CEACR) - Adopción: 1999, Publicación: 88ª reunión CIT (2000)

Convenio sobre la política del empleo, 1964 (núm. 122) - Suecia (Ratificación : 1965)

1. Further to previous observations, the Committee notes the information contained in the Government's report for the period ending May 1998. It notes that the standardized rate of unemployment has decreased from a peak of 9.4 per cent in 1994 to 8.2 per cent in 1998. The Government reports that unemployment was as low as 6.3 per cent in May 1998, due to increases in both employment and adult education. There has been an increase in the workforce of 50,000 for the year ending May 1998 and employment is expected to increase by 100,000 by the end of 1999, while there was a decrease in underemployment and a sharp decrease in long-term unemployment, defined as unemployment exceeding six months. The Government has set a goal of 4 per cent unemployment by the end of 2000, and considers it is on track to attain this goal.

2. The Committee notes that the Government has instituted many programmes aimed at reducing long-term youth unemployment (aged 16-25), defined as unemployment for over 100 days. Youth long-term unemployment has decreased from 37,000 in 1994 to 5,000 in 1998. To tackle adult long-term unemployment, individual action plans are to be drawn up within 30 days of unemployment for all persons considered at risk (e.g. minorities). Adult long-term unemployment has decreased from 80,000 in May 1997 to 45,000 in May 1998. Furthermore, the Government states in its report that it is in the process of commissioning six independent evaluations of various programmes. The Committee hopes the ILO will receive further information on these programmes and their evaluation in terms of the aims of the Convention, and any follow-up action taken.

3. The Committee hopes the next report will provide information on consultations under Article 3.