Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

1. Article 1 of the Convention. Application of an employment policy in the framework of an economic and social policy. The Government indicates in its report that, at the end of 2008, employment had increased by more than 225,700 workers compared to 2005. According to the Government, the unemployment rate was 1.6 per cent in 2008. In the civilian state sector, the participation rate of women is 46.7 per cent. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the results achieved by the measures taken by the central state administration to promote productive and lasting employment. The Committee also requests the Government to include up to date information on the situation, level and trends of the labour market, indicating how they affect particular categories of workers, such as women, young persons and workers in the public and non-state sectors.

2. Small and medium-sized enterprises. Cooperatives. The Government has indicated in its replies to the questionnaire concerning the General Survey on employment  (2010) that state enterprises are core to the country’s economy. Within the Cuban employment system there is no definition of small and medium‑sized enterprises, which is differentiated from the other definitions relating to the employment system. With regard to cooperatives, the organization of agricultural and livestock production cooperatives and credit and services cooperatives in the rural sector is recognized. Furthermore, in reply to previous comments, the Government indicates in its report that self-employed work supplements certain state activities in manufacturing and the provision of services of use to the population. The Committee notes that in 2008 there were 141,600 self-employed workers, of whom 32,700 were women. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the contribution of agricultural production and livestock cooperatives and self-employed workers to the promotion of productive employment.

3. Employment promotion and vulnerable groups. In reply to the previous direct request, the Government has provided detailed information on the overall development programme for young persons (CSIJ). At the end of January 2009, 84,339 students had enrolled and 65,115 students had already received offers of employment. Furthermore, the Government has provided information on the main achievements with regard to the employment of higher level graduates. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing up to date information in its next report on the programmes implemented and progress made in ensuring productive employment for young persons who enter the labour market.

4. Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Government indicates that the employment policy and programmes implemented are coordinated with the bodies of the central state administration concerned with the productive sector, youth and trade union organizations, and the Cuban Women’s Federation. The Committee reiterates its interest in examining information which will enable it to identify the steps taken to consult the representatives of the persons concerned in relation to the application of the Convention.