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Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. In reply to the direct request of 2005, the Government provides information in its report received in October 2008 on the major components of the National Development Plan 2006–10 and emphasizes the role of the Ministry of Agriculture and Stock Rearing in applying Articles 2 and 4 of the Convention. The Agricultural Development Institute supports actions designed to promote the development of rural communities with a low social development index. The Committee reiterates its interest in receiving an up to date evaluation in the Government’s next report of the manner in which it is ensured that “the improvement of standards of living” has been regarded as “the principal objective in the planning of economic development” (Article 2 of the Convention) and requests the Government to provide information on the results achieved regarding the promotion of productive capacity and the improvement of the standards of living of agricultural producers (Article 4).
Part III. Migrant workers. The Government refers in its report to the amnesty granted to migrant workers, addressing some 465,000 persons of Central American origin, the majority from Nicaragua. In 2008, the Directorate-General of Migration estimated that 185,000 migrant workers requested the renewal of their documents. The Government is seeking to conclude bilateral agreements with Nicaragua and Panama in the area of migration. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information on the measures taken to protect migrant workers.
1. The Committee notes the detailed information sent by the Government in June 2000 and September 2003 relating to the observation made in 1999.
2. Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the information submitted in September 2003 on the measures adopted by the Agricultural Development Institute. The Committee would be grateful if the Government’s next report included updated information on the way in which it is ensured that the "improvement of standards of living" is regarded as the "principal objective in the planning of economic development" (Article 2 of the Convention) and provided details of the results achieved for the promotion of productive capacity and the improvement of standards of living of agricultural producers (Article 4).
3. Part III. Migrant workers. In its 2003 report, the Government indicated that approximately 365,000 people had qualified for residency and that a comprehensive migration policy and a new general draft law on migration had been envisaged. Since it is difficult to prevent abusive practices relating to migrant workers and their families, the Committee would be grateful if the Government’s next report could include updated information on the measures adopted to protect migrant workers.
Article 8 of the Convention. Migrant workers. The Committee notes the information supplied in the report of the Government in reply to its earlier comments. The Committee notes with interest the final report of the IV Binational Meeting between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, held on 12 and 13 May 1997, especially as regards the Subcommittee on Security and Migration, as well as the Government's intention to make every effort to treat the situation of migrant workers in Costa Rica with justice and solidarity, in conformity with the principles set forth in the Convention and enshrined in the ILO. The Committee also notes from the same report that "an agreement was reached to request technical cooperation from the international organizations to conduct a critical assessment of ways and means for exchange of information between the parties so as to allow cross-checking and permit rapid issuing of the seasonal worker card".
The Committee reminds the Government that it may request ILO technical assistance if it so wishes.
In addition, the Committee notes that the Government wishes to continue to make efforts with a view to resolving matters relating to migrant Nicaraguan workers in Costa Rica. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the measures taken to ensure application of Article 8, and in particular on: (i) the analysis of results obtained with systems implemented to deal with the situation of foreigners including migrant Nicaraguan workers; (ii) the analysis of the results of the seasonal worker card; (iii) the number of seasonal worker cards issued to Nicaraguans, and the results of the regularization, so as to avoid their return or deportation, of their status as migrants; (iv) the measures taken to initiate a procedure to issue a special passport for migrants; (v) the implementation and the results of the information campaign on the seasonal worker card to promote regulated migration, and (vi) the measures taken to resolve the problem of the migrants' families as well as their results.
Migrant workers. Further to its previous observation, the Committee notes with interest the information supplied in the Government's report, and in particular, the Government's comments on the report of the ILO mission on "The situation of migrant workers in Costa Rica", and a Joint Declaration concerning Labour Migration made in May 1996 in San José by the Labour Ministers of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican Republic. It notes with interest that the Government has been continuing its efforts to deal with matters relating to migrant workers of Nicaraguan nationality working in Costa Rica. It notes in particular that the Government is proposing a system of a seasonal labour card.
The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure the application of Article 8 of the Convention, with particular reference to developments concerning Nicaraguan migrants mentioned above.
Migrant workers
The Committee notes with interest that, with the Government of Nicaragua and the technical assistance of the Office, the Government is examining matters relating to migrant workers of Nicaraguan nationality working in Costa Rica. It notes in particular that the establishment of a temporary work permit under Decree No. 24432-TSS-G, which is issued only on production of an employment contract offering guarantees of employment conditions and wages which are not lower than those existing in the sector of activity concerned, is encountering practical difficulties. It notes in this respect the recommendations made at the conclusion of the Office's mission to overcome the difficulties encountered and offset certain shortcomings (simplifying procedures for granting, diversifying and increasing periods of validity, delivery of official papers to members of the migrant's family).
The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure application of the Convention on this point as well as on the agreements concluded in application of Article 8 of the Convention.