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Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Nicaragua (Ratification: 1977)

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Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee takes note of the supplementary information provided by the Government in light of the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 338th Session (June 2020). The Committee proceeded with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the supplementary information received from the Government this year, as well as on the basis of the information at its disposal in 2019.

Articles 1–4 of the Convention. Implementation of vocational training and guidance policies and programmes. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of the “National human development programme 2018–21” in December 2017, whose components include improvements to: ensuring the relevance and quality of technical education and vocational training, in line with the economic and social development needs of the country; developing technical and technological training programmes to promote the management, productivity and competitiveness of undertakings in collaboration with central and local private and public institutions; and reinforcing pedagogical training for teachers, including technical and technological refresher programmes. Moreover, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report regarding the programmes implemented by the Ministry of Economic Affairs for the Family, Communities, Cooperatives and Associations (MEFCCA) to ensure access to vocational training and guidance for women, indigenous peoples, Afro-Nicaraguan persons, inhabitants of rural areas, and workers in the informal economy. In particular, the Government refers to the implementation of various training programmes for producers of coffee, cocoa, staple grains and sesame, such as the “Special support plan for small-scale producers (CRISSOL)” and the programme “Improving the organizational and productive capacities of cocoa producers in the ‘mining triangle’ (PROCACAO)”. The Government also indicates that, between 2014 and 2018, 30,655 indigenous and Afro-Nicaraguan families from the North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (RACCN) and the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (RACCS) received training in agricultural, small-scale and agro-industrial production and small-scale business in the context of various projects, including the “Support project for increasing productivity and food and nutritional security on the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua” and the “Support project for Tuno women craft workers in the Sakalwas community”. The Committee also notes the Government’s reference to the implementation of training programmes by the National Technological Institute (INATEC), such as support programmes for entrepreneurship and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and of the “National programme for technical education in rural areas” with a view to bridging gaps in education, increasing productivity in rural areas and increasing the coverage of technical education. The Committee also notes the updated information provided by the Government in its supplementary report concerning the number of persons trained and, in general, the number of jobs generated directly and indirectly under the above-mentioned programmes and projects implemented between 2019 and March 2020. However, the Committee notes that the Government does not provide any information on measures taken or envisaged to guarantee access to vocational training and guidance for persons with disabilities. In this regard, the Committee recalls that Article 1(5) of the Convention provides that [vocational guidance and training] “policies and programmes shall encourage and enable all persons, on an equal basis and without any discrimination whatsoever, to develop and use their capabilities for work in their own best interests and in accordance with their own aspirations, account being taken of the needs of society.” Accordingly, Paragraph 5(g) and (h) of the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195), refers to the need to adopt measures to promote equal opportunities for women and men in education, training and lifelong learning; and to promote access to education, training and lifelong learning for youth, low-skilled people, persons with disabilities, migrants, older workers, indigenous peoples, ethnic minority groups and the socially excluded; and for workers in small and medium-sized enterprises, in the informal economy, in the rural sector and in self-employment.

The Committee notes, however, that the Government has still not provided the requested information on the impact of such programmes, including statistics disaggregated by age and sex. In this regard, the Committee observes that the Government does not indicate in its report what measures have been adopted or envisaged with a view to gathering statistical information on the results achieved in terms of the labour market insertion of participants in vocational training activities. The Committee once again refers to Paragraph 16 of Recommendation No. 195, which provides that “Members should evaluate the impact of their education, training and lifelong learning policies on the progress made towards achieving broader human development goals, such as the creation of decent jobs and poverty eradication.” The Committee therefore requests the Government to continue sending detailed information on the measures adopted or envisaged to guarantee access to vocational training and guidance for groups of workers in vulnerable situations, such as women, young persons, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, inhabitants of rural areas and workers in the informal economy. It also requests the Government to supply information on the manner in which such measures encourage and enable all persons, on an equal basis and without any discrimination whatsoever, to develop and use their capabilities for work in their own best interests and in accordance with their own aspirations, account being taken of the needs of society. The Committee also once again requests the Government to provide up-to-date detailed information, including statistics disaggregated by age and sex, on the impact of policies and programmes implemented in relation to vocational guidance and training, including those adopted in the context of the National human development programme 2018–21. Furthermore, the Committee once again requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted or envisaged with a view to gathering statistical information on the results achieved in terms of the labour market insertion of participants in vocational training activities.

Article 5. Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. In its previous comments, the Committee asked the Government to provide specific, detailed information on the manner in which the social partners and representatives of the private sector have been consulted in relation to the formulation, implementation and monitoring of vocational guidance and training programmes. However, the Committee notes that the Government has not included information on this matter in its report. In this regard, the Committee recalls that Article 5 of the Convention provides that “policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training shall be formulated and implemented in cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations and, as appropriate and in accordance with national law and practice, with other interested bodies”. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to send detailed, up-to-date information on the manner in which the social partners and representatives of the private sector have been consulted in relation to the formulation, implementation and monitoring of vocational guidance and training programmes.

COVID-19 pandemic. In the context of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Committee recalls the broad guidance provided by international labour standards. In this regard, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to Paragraphs 18–20 of the Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation, 2017 (No. 205), which constitute a guide for the adoption and implementation of measures in the area of education, training and lifelong learning that respond effectively to the profound socio-economic effects of the pandemic. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report up-to-date information on the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the implementation of education, training and lifelong learning policies and programmes.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

Articles 1 to 5 of the Convention. Implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training. Cooperation with the social partners. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, in response to its previous comments, regarding the various vocational training programmes implemented by the National Technological Institute (INATEC) in 43 centres throughout the different regions of the country, with a view to promoting access to the labour market or entrepreneurship in sectors such as commerce, services, agriculture and forestry, industry and construction. The Government refers to, inter alia, the “Zero Usury” programme, which aims to train women workers in the informal economy in the sound management of their undertakings. The Government adds that 438,723 women were trained in the framework of this programme between 2014 and 2017. Furthermore, a training programme has been implemented for persons with disabilities, older persons and detainees with a view to ensuring their labour market integration and promoting their entrepreneurship. The Government also refers to the implementation of the “Love” programme, designed to provide vocational training courses to at-risk young persons, unemployed young persons, single mothers and women heads of households; and the “Zero Hunger” programme, which grants training to women beneficiaries of the “Food Production Voucher” scheme (provision of animals and the necessary materials to build a smallholding) in rural areas with the objective of converting production units into comprehensive and self-sufficient smallholdings. The Government reports the adoption in 2016 of the “Productive Small Family Businesses” programme, which provides training courses to owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve the quality of their products and their marketing procedures. The Committee also notes the statistical information provided by the Government regarding the number of men and women enrolled in and having graduated from the various training programmes between 2012 and 2017. Regarding the impact of such programmes on the labour market access of participants, the Government indicates that the INATEC does not have statistical data on the number of programme graduates who enter the labour market as it is not responsible for the monitoring of their labour market integration. In this respect, the Committee recalls that Paragraph 16 of the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195), provides that “Members should evaluate the impact of their education, training and lifelong learning policies on the progress made towards achieving broader human development goals, such as the creation of decent jobs and poverty eradication.” The Committee requests the Government to continue providing detailed information on the measures adopted or envisaged with a view to guaranteeing access to vocational training and guidance for vulnerable groups of workers such as women, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, inhabitants of rural areas and workers in the informal economy. The Committee also requests the Government to continue providing updated information, including statistics disaggregated by age and sex, on the impact of the policies and programmes implemented in relation to vocational guidance and training. Furthermore, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted or envisaged with a view to gathering statistical information on the results achieved in terms of the labour market insertion of participants in vocational training activities. Lastly, the Committee requests the Government to provide specific and detailed information on the manner in which the social partners and representatives of the private sector have been consulted in relation to the formulation, implementation and monitoring of vocational guidance and training programmes.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2013, which includes information in reply to the 2009 direct request. The Government recalls that the National Technology Institute (INATEC) oversees technical education and vocational training, maintaining links with subsidized and private centres through technical and pedagogical monitoring. The Committee notes that the Tripartite Agreement on Stability of Employment and Production in Export Processing Zones, signed in December 2012, provides that the parties shall work with INATEC in the training of men and women workers. The Government indicates that, with a view to improving labour market access and allowing upward mobility, INATEC is developing one component of the certification of job skills. The Committee notes the information on training course enrolment and graduation, disaggregated by type of training and gender for the period 2007–12. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the vocational guidance activities conducted by INATEC and to include information on policies and programmes to further access to ongoing education, training and apprenticeship for persons with special needs, such as young persons, unskilled persons, persons with disabilities, migrants, elderly workers, persons who are socially excluded, workers in small and medium-sized enterprises, and workers in the informal economy. The Committee would also appreciate receiving disaggregated data on the results obtained in integrating the beneficiaries of INATEC training in the labour market.

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

Implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training. The Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government in the report received in February 2009. The Government provides information on the activities of the National Technological Institute (INATEC), which formed part of the strategy for the country’s development and which aims to promote economic and productive growth, with the emphasis on training and enhancing the skills of the labour force for the purposes of employment and self‑employment in general. INATEC’s priority is to provide technical training for persons affected by unemployment, underemployment and for those living in poverty or extreme poverty due to a lack of qualifications. The Committee notes that, in 2008, INATEC envisaged linking training activities with Government policies aimed at reviving the production of small and medium producers in order to generate employment and self-employment with a view to boosting the national economy and reducing poverty. The Committee notes that, in 2007, INATEC assisted 91,259 users. Of this total, 19.2 per cent were participants in technical education and the rest were participants in training. Over the last eight years, INATEC has trained an annual average of 83,994 users. The Committee notes that INATEC has 34 state centres spread across the national territory, which assisted 93.22 per cent of the total users in 2007. According to the most recent studies carried out by the Labour Observatory, the strong labour demand means that there is a need for further training in the following sectors: agriculture; manufacturing industries; hotels and restaurants; education; health services; commerce; property activities; and transport and storage. INATEC would need greater resources to improve the training offered and ensure quality coverage of the increasing demand for its services. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the manner in which it coordinates the training activities of INATEC with those of the private and subsidized vocational training centres in various departments of the country. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the manner in which it has ensured that INATEC has sufficient resources to meet the ongoing vocational training needs of those persons who find it most difficult to enter the labour market, such as women, young persons, persons with disabilities and those working in the informal economy. The Committee would like to be able to examine disaggregated data on the results achieved in terms of the integration of persons who have participated in INATEC training activities.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes with interest the National Technological Institute (INATEC’s) 2002 final evaluation of February 2003, transmitted by the Government with the report received in August 2003. The Committee also refers to its comments on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and the Paid Educational Leave Convention, 1974 (No. 140). The Committee understands that in formulating the national employment policy (PNE), prepared by the Government and the Office in October 2002, policy guidelines were included to improve the employability of the workforce. Furthermore, in the Reinforced Strategy for Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction, measures are envisaged to promote vocational guidance and training. In view of the above, the Committee hopes that the Government will provide detailed information in its next report on the manner in which the vocational training system has been extended, including all the information required by the report form on the application of Convention No. 142.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

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

In a direct request made in 1993, the Committee noted with interest the creation of the National Technological Institute (INATEC) responsible for coordinating the planning, implementation and supervision of all programmes of vocational training and technical education and for assuring to this effect continued concerted action by the various competent ministries. The Committee notes that the INATEC, which has a tripartite Governing Council, has modernized vocational training with a New Model for Vocational Training. The INATEC is supported with international technical assistance, in particular from the ILO, which is implementing a programme for strengthening the Nicaraguan vocational training system financed by the Government of the Netherlands. The Committee trusts that the Government will continue to provide information on the activities of the INATEC to ensure application of the Convention, indicating also whether measures have been taken to extend the vocational training systems, in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

1. The Committee took note of the Government's report in reply to its previous request, and the additional information supplied by the Government in its report on the application of Convention No. 122. It notes in particular the creation of the National Technological Institute (INATEC) which is responsible for coordinating the planning, implementation and supervision of all programmes of vocational training and technical education and for assuring to this effect continued concerted action by the various competent ministries. The Committee also notes with interest the establishment within the INATEC of a tripartite advisory council which should permit, in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention, the cooperation of employers' and workers' organizations in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes for the development of human resources.

2. The Government states in this respect that the advisory council of the INATEC prepared in December 1991 the guiding principles for the vocational training policy, which cover in particular the modernization of training and education structures, their extension to new activities and their adaptation to the needs expressed by the private sector. The Committee requests the Government to supply information in its next report on the results achieved in the implementation of these guidelines, with an indication of the skills imparted and the number of beneficiaries of the various training courses. Furthermore, it would be grateful if the Government would state whether measures have also been taken or are envisaged to extend the systems of vocational guidance, in accordance with Article 3.

3. The Committee notes with interest the information concerning ILO technical cooperation projects on the development of vocational training which are currently being carried out. The Government emphasizes in particular the importance of the components of these projects designed to promote the training of women. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the measures taken as a result of these projects (Part V of the report form).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Article 5 of the Convention. With reference to its previous direct request, the Committee notes that the National Employment and Wages Council of the Ministry of Labour has established the national employment advisory committees (CNEs). The Government indicates that these committees are composed of the directors of human resources, both national and regional, responsible for executing employment policies in the different sectors of the economy.

The Committee also takes note of the provisions of Decree No. 223, of 1986, instituting the National Training System (SINACAP). This Decree provides for the setting up of central and regional training councils, composed of employers' and workers' representatives from the different sectors of the economy, including services. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the manner in which SINACAP policies and programmes were formulated and implemented in co-operation with employers' and workers' organisations. Please provide particulars of all other formal procedures or consultation mechanisms established to this end.

Point V of the report form. The Committee takes note of the conclusions and recommendations of the report prepared for the Government of Nicaragua by the ILO in its capacity as executing agency for the UNDP, of the ILO/DANIDA project (ILO/DANIDA/NIC/80/2) "Strengthening the national training system and employment services". Please indicate the measures taken as a result of these recommendations, with particular reference to the participation of employers and workers (see Article 5), the training of female workers and the vocational training policy. In this connection, the Committee suggests that the Government refer to the relevant provisions of the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 1975 (No. 150).