Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and its partial replies to its previous comments. It also notes the annual Statistical Bulletin (2003) of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. It observes that the Government’s report largely reiterates information which had already been provided and wishes to emphasize that the successive reports required under article 22 of the Constitution should preferably contain information on any changes that have occurred in the application of the Convention during the reporting period, as well as replies to the Committee’s comments.

Article 6, paragraph 2(a) and (b), of the Convention. The Government indicates in its report that no national employment policy has yet been defined, but that discussions have been held between the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security on this matter. The Committee notes with interest the information contained in the Government’s report relating to the setting up in 2002 of an IT labour market information system and the establishment of the Labour Market Information Technical Advisory Committee, which is responsible for providing technical advice to the Tripartite Labour Market and Labour Exchange Advisory Commission. Moreover, the Government highlights the Caribbean Labour Market Information System (CLMIS project), which has been initiated by the ILO in cooperation with the United States Department of Labor, and indicates that the Manpower Unit will be primarily involved in the revision of the Jamaica Standard Occupational Classification and the creation of a Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Moreover, according to recent information provided on the Government’s Internet site, the Tripartite Labour Advisory Commission met in November 2004 and has developed an 11-point plan for a "positive transformation" of labour administration, which strongly involves the social partners.

The Government is requested to provide detailed information on the implementation of the 11-point plan and copies of any related documents, as well as the progress achieved in the field of labour market information through the information system developed for this purpose, and to indicate how effect is given to Article 6, paragraph 2(a), of the Convention concerning the functions of the labour administration system in the area of the national employment policy.

Article 7. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the implementation and results of the "Skills 2000" programme, referred to in a previous report, which aimed to provide certain precarious categories of persons the opportunity to enter the labour market by increasing their income earning capacity, allowing them to engage in self-employment or to obtain remunerated employment. It would be grateful if the Government would also provide information on the categories of persons concerned by this programme.