Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Portugal (Ratification: 1981)

1. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s reports for the periods June 2000 to May 2002, as well as the attached documents and statistics. It also notes the comments sent by the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP-IN) and the General Workers’ Union (UGT).

2. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. The Committee notes the detailed disaggregated statistics on trends in the labour market. The active population grew at an annual rate of 1.4 per cent to the first quarter of 2002, and employment increased by 1.1 per cent. The activity rate for the same period increased slightly to 51.8 per cent, while the employment rate decreased slightly to 68.6 per cent. Unemployment rose slightly to 4.4 per cent overall, with 3.7 per cent for men and 5.3 per cent for women. Long-term unemployment fell by 5.7 per cent, with an 8.8 per cent decrease for women. However, there was also significant growth in the use of temporary contracts. Growth of employment was mainly in services and construction, while employment declined in agriculture and industry.

3. The Government also provides information on: the review of the National Employment Plan (PNE) in 2001; the impact of the European Employment Strategy (EES); various programmes; and an evaluation of the services provided by the employment centres. In light of the reviews, the Government intends to maintain the direction set out in the PNE of 2001 and the EES. The PNE will be closely linked to the Lifelong Learning Strategy. The objectives for the near future include improving the quality of employment and social protection, and adapting labour legislation to improve productivity and competitiveness. The Government has also prioritized combating illegal employment and monitoring the use of fixed-term contracts. The Committee notes this information and would appreciate being kept informed of the impact of the measures adopted in the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy, to implement an active employment policy in the sense of the Convention.

4. Article 3. The Committee notes that the review of the PNE involved the social partners. It also notes the statement by the UGT confirming the contribution of the social partners, in particular to new legislation on various subjects related to employment promotion; and the confirmation of the CGTP-IN that the EES is developed on a tripartite basis. Please continue to provide detailed information on the manner in which representatives of all groups concerned, including rural and informal economy workers, are consulted on the formulation, implementation and review of employment policies and programmes.

5. The UGT considers that, despite the efforts of the Government, structural problems still persist in employment and training. Problems persist with young jobseekers entering the labour market, in particular skilled youth. For less skilled youth, training is not sufficiently available. Older workers do not have access to retraining, increasing their likelihood of being unemployed long-term. The UGT stresses the need for continuous training, guaranteed access to training for all workers, and ensuring that training is relevant to the skills demanded in the labour market. Lastly, the UGT draws attention to the problems of regional differences in employment.

6. The CGTP-IN notes the decline in employment in various sectors of the economy. It is also concerned about the increase in unemployment for women and continued gender segregation by sector and occupation. It questions the success of the Government’s active labour market policies and training measures, and notes that some of the recommendations that came out of the reviews were not followed up. Lastly, the CGTP-IN supports the general strategy of the Government concerning lifelong learning, but questions the logic of restricting evening classes in light of the objective of equality of opportunity.

7. The Committee notes these detailed observations of the UGT and the CGTP-IN, as well as the Government’s replies, which were incorporated in its report. Recalling that the Committee, at the 89th Session of the Conference, June 2001, asked the Government to continue making efforts, in consultation with the social partners, to improve the general level of training for employment and the match between workers’ skills and jobs available, the Committee would appreciate receiving more details in future reports concerning ways in which the Government and the social partners have addressed the matters noted in this observation.