Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

1.  The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s brief first and second reports.

2.  Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention.  The Committee notes that the Ministry of Welfare has drafted a concept paper, "On Promoting Employment in the Country", which provides for annual development of the National Employment Plan, based on EU guidelines and the existing employment situation in the country. Please provide further details on the content of this concept and on the National Employment Plan.

3.  Article 1, paragraph 2(a) and (c).  The Committee notes that official unemployment reached 9.1 per cent in 1999, and labour force survey data show an unemployment rate of 13.5 per cent in 1999. Youth, people with disabilities and older workers were most likely to be unemployed. The long-term unemployed comprise 30 per cent of all unemployed. The total decrease in employment from 1990 to 1996 was 28 per cent, with decreases mainly in industry and construction, although employment in the service sector and agriculture actually increased slightly. Please continue to provide disaggregated data on labour market trends, including labour force survey statistics, particularly for youth, people with disabilities, older workers and the long-term unemployed. The Committee notes that the Government’s main objective of employment policy is to provide both balanced employment throughout the country and equal opportunities. Please provide further information on how these objectives are being attained in practice, particularly for women and socially disadvantaged groups. The Committee also refers to its 1999 direct request under the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111), in which it asked the Government to indicate the manner in which protection from discrimination on the basis of national origin is currently provided in practice.

4.  The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain any information on monetary, fiscal, trade or investment policies. The Committee would appreciate receiving such information, as requested in the report form under Article 1.

5.  The Committee notes the Government’s statement that it undertakes active labour market policies, and asks the Government to provide further details on these policies and programmes. The Committee also notes the statistics provided on participation rates for paid short-term work. Of those unemployed seeking paid short-term work, only 27 per cent were able to obtain work, indicating that more funding is needed to enable more people to participate in these public work projects. Please provide further information on whether more funding is available or whether alternative programmes are being offered. Please also provide further information on how the National Employment Service encourages jobseekers to seek assistance and to facilitate placement.

6.  The Committee notes the information provided on the percentage of unemployed persons receiving training and the placement rates. It appears that training is fairly effective in helping to promote employment, but that there currently is not enough training being provided. Please provide further information on the types of training offered, and on whether the Government plans to extend the services available.

7.  Article 2.  The Government states that the task force for development of the National Employment Plan comprises officials of the Ministries of Welfare, Education and Science, Finance and others. The Government states that the State Employment Service makes a quarterly analysis of the demand and supply of the workforce and collects information about expected vacancies. This information is used to develop new policies and programmes. The Government has established on-the-job training and craft training as a result. The Committee notes this information and would appreciate receiving further information on how employment promotion is reviewed within the framework of coordinated economic and social policies.

8.  Article 3.  The Government states that the concept paper "On Promoting Employment in the Country" provides for the establishment of the Employment Council within the institutional framework of the National Tripartite Cooperation Council. The task force that develops the National Employment Plan includes representatives of social partners. There is also a Tripartite Cooperation Council for Vocational Education and Employment which contains a further Tripartite Cooperation Sub-Council for Labour Affairs. The Committee notes this information with interest and would appreciate receiving more details on whether the social partners also participate in formulating programmes and in the review process. Please also provide information on whether consultations are carried out with representatives of rural and informal sector workers, as requested in the report form under Article 3.

9.  Part V of the report form.  The Committee notes from information supplied by the Office that the Government has received assistance from the ILO, with UNDP support, to help formulate a National Poverty Reduction Strategy as part of the follow-up to the 1995 World Summit for Social Development. Latvia participated in the ILO regional conference in 2000 on poverty reduction in the Baltic States. UNDP and ILO have also launched a programme on reducing regional economic and employment differences through promotion of local economic development and sustainable livelihood in eastern Latvia. The Committee requests that the Government supply further information on the outcome of this cooperation and any follow-up measures taken as a result.