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

1. The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending 31 May 1998. The report contains information on the points raised in the recommendations of the Committee set up by the Governing Body to examine the representation made by the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers and Associations of Commerce and Production (FEDECAMARAS) under article 24 of the ILO Constitution (document GB.256/15/16 of May 1993). The Government refers to the first national tripartite agreement reached on 17 March 1997 which states the need to strengthen the Employment Service of the Ministry of Labour with a view to improving its potential as an instrument of employment policy. The agreed employment plan, which was signed on 16 December 1997, establishes the need to strengthen labour mediation, reorient vocational training policy, promote the employment of disabled people and develop a pilot programme of employment reference and support centres. The Committee notes this information and also notes that these basic elements should make it possible to give effect to the provisions of the Convention. The Committee therefore requests the Government to keep it informed of any progress made to ensure that the essential functions of the employment service are maintained, in accordance of Article 1 of the Convention.

2. The Committee again refers to the following points that were raised in the recommendations of the tripartite Committee:

(i) The Government indicates that, with regard to section 597 of the Organic Labour Act, it does not consider it appropriate at the moment to set up local advisory committees owing to the restructuring of the National Employment Service. However, the National Employment Council has been set up and will serve as a basis for the establishment of local committees in the future. The Committee trusts that the Government will continue to provide information on the measures taken by the National Employment Council with regard to the employment service. It also requests the Government to indicate the number of advisory committees established at the national and regional levels, how they are constituted, and what procedure has been adopted for appointing employers' and workers' representatives. To allow an assessment of the effect given to Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention, the Government is requested to provide information on the arrangements made through these advisory committees for the cooperation of representatives of employers and workers in the organization and operation of the employment service, and in the development of the general policy of the employment service.

(ii) The Committee recalls that the tripartite Committee invited the Government to furnish information on the measures taken, in collaboration with employers' and workers' organizations, in accordance with Article 10 of the Convention, to encourage full use of employment service facilities by employers and workers on a voluntary basis. The Committee notes that, within the framework of the plan to establish four employment reference and support centres, a programme of meetings and exchanges with the most representative sectors of the workers and employers has been commenced. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the results achieved by the afore-mentioned plan.

3. The Committee recalls that the recommendations of the tripartite Committee included an invitation to the Government to amend the text of section 604 of the Organic Labour Act in order to avoid any ambiguity in its interpretation and application and bring it fully into line with Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention, which provide for no distinction between employers' and workers' organizations with regard to their cooperation in the organization and operation of the employment service. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate its position in this regard.

4. The Committee urges the Government to continue to adopt measures to give full effect to the provisions of Articles 4, 5 and 10, and also hopes that the Government will provide a detailed report on the application of the Convention including statistical information, annual or periodic reports, and information on the number of public employment offices, applications for employment received, offers of employment notified and job placements made by the offices, as requested in Part IV of the report form.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2000.]