Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 1998, publiée 87ème session CIT (1999)

1. The Committee refers to its previous observation and notes the two consecutive reports submitted by the Government for the period ending June 1998. The Government states that, following a period of relative stability, the rate of unemployment increased from 3.5 per cent to 4.3 per cent in 1997 owing to a marked slow-down in economic growth at the end of the period. According to the latest OECD forecasts, the unemployment rate would rise to 5.8 per cent in 1998. The Committee nevertheless notes that, despite this recent deterioration, the employment situation continues to compare favourably with that of other European countries which are in a period of transition to a market economy and with the majority of Western European countries.

2. The Government emphasizes that unemployment particularly affects certain groups of the economically active population, such as unskilled workers, young people with no work experience, the Roma ethnic minority and persons with disabilities. Moreover, levels of unemployment are highest in the regions of North Bohemia and North Moravia, which are undergoing industrial restructuring, and in mainly agricultural areas. The Government states that, in order to stem this rise in structural unemployment, it has adjusted its employment policy to strengthen measures targeting the most vulnerable regions and groups of workers. Emphasis is placed, in particular, on the development of infrastructure in the transport and service industries and the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises as sources of new employment opportunities, as well as on retraining, not only for jobseekers, but also as a preventative measure for workers whose jobs are at risk as a consequence of structural changes. The Committee notes in this respect that refocusing of active labour market policy measures appears to have resulted in a decrease in the number of beneficiaries during the period in question. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide in its next report any evaluation of the effectiveness of these measures in terms of placing those concerned in employment.

3. The Committee notes with interest the detailed information provided by the Government in respect of the changes in employment and unemployment, as well as the labour market policy measures implemented. The Committee recalls that, under Article 2 of the Convention, the measures which are to be adopted, with a view to promoting full, productive and freely chosen employment, shall be decided and kept under review "within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy", and hopes that the Government will also transmit in its next report the information required by the report form on the manner in which general economic policies in areas such as monetary and fiscal policies, trade policies or prices, incomes and wages policies contribute to the pursuit of the employment objectives of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government, in particular, to specify the impact which the Stabilization and Recovery Programme adopted in May 1997 has had or is expected to have on employment.

4. The Committee notes that the questions relative to employment policy are discussed by the social partners, both within the framework of the Council for Economic and Social Agreement, which was established in 1997, and in the advisory committees of employment offices. The Government states in particular that the preparation of a new national employment plan will be subject to in-depth debate in the Council for Social and Economic Agreement. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the activities of the Council, the opinions issued and the manner in which they are taken into account, in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of the Convention.