Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (Ratification: 1977)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Articles 1 to 3 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Government indicates in its report that the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Welfare (MTEPS), in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 4857 of 6 January 2023, determining the organization of the executive branch, includes among its functions: promoting employment policies and proposing active and passive employment policies to improve the living conditions of the population. The Government adds that, for this purpose, there is the Public Employment Service (SPE), which is free of charge and matches jobseekers with the demand for labour in the private and public sectors through its labour exchange. The Committee notes that, during the period 2016–23, there were 95,978 jobseekers and 44,322 vacancies registered in the SPE’s labour exchange in the various regions of the country. The Government adds that, during the period 2018–23, the Employment Support Programme II (APE II) was implemented with financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), benefiting 24,044 workers through the development of labour skills within the job and the provision of a monthly stipend and accident insurance for beneficiaries. The Committee recalls the importance of the Bolivia Public Employment Service being consolidated as a model of modern, transparent and inclusive management capable of responding proactively and effectively to present and future challenges on the labour market. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted or envisaged to strengthen and modernize the Public Employment Service so as to ensure that it plays a central and exemplary role in the promotion of full, productive and freely chosen employment for the population as a whole. It requests the Government to provide detailed and updated data in its next report disaggregated by sex, age, region and vulnerable groups on the operation and impact of the Public Employment Service, including: (i) data on the effective access of women, young persons, persons with disabilities, indigenous people and the rural population to employment services; (ii) evidence of the strategic use of labour matching, vocational guidance and training in line with current and future labour market needs; and (iii) the specific results achieved in terms of sustainable labour market integration, job quality and the reduction of inequality. The Committee also requests information on interinstitutional coordination mechanisms and effective consultation of the social partners and civil society, as well as the measures taken to improve the innovation and digitalization of the system.

Articles 4 and 5. Cooperation with the social partners. The Committee notes that the Government has not provided information on cooperation with the social partners in the organization and operation of the Public Employment Service and in the general employment policy. The Committee recalls that Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention require the creation of advisory committees with a view to the full cooperation of the representatives of employers and workers in the organization and operation of the public employment service and in the development of general employment policy. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to provide information on cooperation with the social partners in the organization and operation of the Public Employment Service and general employment policy at both the national and departmental levels.

Article 6(b)(iv). Mobility of workers. The Government indicates that, as from 2023, the General Directorate of Employment, with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has been taking the following action: (1) the development of management tools for the effective integration of the migrant population with beneficiaries of policies on access to employment; and (2) the modernization of the Digital Labour Matching Platform of the Public Employment Service as a tool of the greatest importance to facilitate the matching of jobseekers and employers. The Committee requests the Government to continue and extend measures to strengthen the role of the Public Employment Service in facilitating the suitable and safe referral and placement of workers at both the national and international levels. In this regard, it requests the Government to provide detailed information on the progress achieved, in cooperation with the IOM and other United Nations agencies, particularly for the modernization of the Digital Labour Matching Platform and the effective inclusion of migrant workers in policies on access to employment.

Article 7. Youth employment. The Government indicates that the APE II (2018–23) has seen the broad participation of young persons aged 18 to 28, who have benefited from skills training within the job for the development of vocational skills to improve their employability. The Government adds that in 2023 the first version of the pilot project on vocational guidance for production was implemented with a view to the provision of vocational and occupational guidance based on the needs of the industrialization process undertaken by the Government. The project had two phases: (1) a webinar which gave over 16,000 participants direct access to guidance on various subjects relating to production; and (2) guided visits to the dairy processing plant in the municipality of Achacachi in the Department of La Paz. The Committee notes the official public notice providing information on other measures that have been adopted, such as the “Opportunities Bolivia” programme to support young entrepreneurs and the “Young entrepreneur” programme. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the impact of the measures adopted by the Public Employment Service with a view to facilitating the labour market integration of young persons, including statistical data disaggregated by sex and age on the number of beneficiaries of the measures adopted and the number of young persons whohave entered the labour market as a result of these measures.

Finally, the Committee draws attention to recent publications prepared by the ILO which could be useful in the development and regulation of public employment services, including: Public employment services: Diagnostic tool and guide (ILO, 2021), and Public employment services and active labour market policies for transitions: Global Report Part I; Response to mega trends and crises (ILO, 2023).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Articles 1–5 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to the promotion of employment. Cooperation of the social partners. The Government indicates in its report that the Public Employment Service provides various services – job placement; vocational training and guidance; entrepreneurship support; support for vulnerable groups – and also two programmes: the “My First Decent Job” programme (MPED), for technical vocational training; and the “Employment Support Programme” (PAE), for in-service vocational training. The Committee notes with interest that, as part of the MPED, a total of 46 vocational training activities were implemented, most of them in the cities of El Alto and Potosí, which have high levels of poverty and unemployment. According to the information provided by the Government, in 2014 the Public Employment Service placed 14,800 people in employment in response to 4,462 requests from employers. During the 2011–14 period, vocational guidance was given to 5,503 individuals across the country, of whom 65 per cent were young persons. In addition, a total of 2,815 persons were beneficiaries of the entrepreneurship support service which gives priority to youth. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing up-to-date information on the operation of the Public Employment Service and its contribution towards meeting the needs of employers and workers, particularly in the regions of the country with high levels of unemployment. The Committee again requests the Government to supply information on the cooperation of the social partners in the organization and operation of the Public Employment Service, at both national and departmental levels.

Article 6(b)(iv). Movement of workers. The Government indicates in its report that, as part of the formulation of a labour migration policy, it conducted a “Labour market study with public policy guidelines for the placement of returnee migrants in employment”, using the guidelines of the Directorate-General of Employment and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the measures taken by the Public Employment Service to facilitate the movement of workers and labour migration.

Article 7. Youth employment. The Government indicates in its report that, since 2015, it has been implementing a project entitled “Improving employability and quality of work for vulnerable groups (2015–20)”, which is funded by the World Bank and aims to cater for a total of 15,200 young people in the capital cities of nine departments in the country, the city of El Alto and five towns of more than 50,000 inhabitants. The project includes the implementation of three components: improvement and expansion of in-service training courses provided through the MPED; training and technical assistance for young entrepreneurs with limited resources; and a pilot support programme for second-chance secondary education for young entrepreneurs. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the impact of the measures adopted by the Public Employment Service to facilitate access to employment for young people.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in August 2010, which includes detailed statistics on the numbers of vacancies and applications for employment within the ten Employment Promotion Units, registered vacancies by department and sex, and other relevant data on the operation of the public employment service. The Government suggests that the service is not being used by enterprises. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the new measures adopted to ensure the efficient operation of the free public employment service comprising a network of employment offices sufficient in number to meet the needs of employers and workers throughout the country (Articles 1–3 of the Convention). The Committee hopes that the Government will continue to supply information on the number of public employment offices established, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices (Part IV of the report form).

Cooperation with the social partners. In the 2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments, the Committee noted that in the Plurinational State of Bolivia, employers’ and workers’ organizations, as well as other civil society organizations, cooperate even further with the public institutions. The Committee noted that these organizations actively participate and share responsibility with the public employment service in regard to policy development, implementation and even co-financing of certain programmes (paragraph 215 of the General Survey). The Committee requests the Government to include up-to-date, detailed information in its next report on the cooperation of the social partners in the operation of the employment service at both the national and local levels (Articles 4 and 5).

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

1. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government in the report received in November 2005 regarding the establishment of the General Directorate of Employment, through Supreme Decree No. 27732 of 15 September 2004, to promote employment policies for the development and use of human resources in the context of an integrated economic and social development policy. The functions of the General Directorate of Employment include the provision of vocational guidance, advisory and placement services. An electronic employment exchange (www.proempleo.gov.bo) has been developed, as well as access to other electronic exchanges in the country. The Government supplemented the report with detailed and illustrative information on the results achieved in the La Paz labour exchange, which benefited from assistance from the Government of the United States. The Committee also notes with interest the information provided on the activities undertaken by the Labour Enterprise Foundation in the Department of Santa Cruz, as well as in other departments of the country. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the measures adopted to ensure the efficient operation of the free public employment service comprising a network of employment offices sufficient in number to meet the needs of employers and workers throughout the country (Articles 1 to 3 of the Convention). The Committee expresses interest in continuing to receive statistical information on the number of public employment offices established, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices (Part IV of the report form), and on the measures adopted as a result of the assistance received from the Subregional Office for the application of the Convention.

2. Cooperation with the social partners. In reply to the previous comments, the Government indicates that an Interinstitutional Employment Promotion Committee has been established. The relations between public institutions and employers’ and workers’ organizations, as well as with other civil society organizations concerned or involved, is not confined to consultation or coordination on isolated matters, but involves active participation and shared responsibility in policy development, implementation and even in the co-financing of certain programmes. The Committee would be grateful if more detailed information could be provided in the next report on the cooperation of the social partners in the operation of the employment service at both the national and local levels (Articles 4 and 5).

3. Effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies. The Committee refers to its 2006 observation on the application of the Fee-Charging Employment Agencies Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 96).

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

1. In the report received in September 2003, the Government indicates that it has decided to strengthen the labour exchange, for which purpose it concluded an agreement with the Labour Foundation Enterprise of Santa Cruz, with the fundamental objective of eliminating from the process contractors obtaining profit from the work of others. This foundation undertakes statistical surveys, the data from which will be transmitted to the Andean Labour Observatory. In the report, reference is also made to the establishment of a tripartite dialogue body. The Committee refers to its previous comments and hopes that in its next regular report due in 2005, the Government will be in a position to provide information on the progress achieved in the application of all the provisions of the Convention, and particularly on the establishment of a clear link between the employment service and the national employment policy (Article 1, paragraph 2, of the Convention), of a basic network of employment offices (Article 3) and on the operation of tripartite advisory committees (Articles 4 and 5).

2. Article 11. With regard to the issues raised in relation to contractors obtaining profit from the work of others, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide detailed information in its report on the measures adopted to secure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies. The Government may consider it appropriate to examine Convention No. 181 and Recommendation No. 188 on private employment agencies, adopted by the International Labour Conference at its 85th Session (1997).

3. Part IV of the report form. Please provide all the statistical information published on the number of public employment offices established, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices.

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

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its 2000 observation, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s candid report. The Government has begun to establish a network of offices in La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, in accordance with the requirements of Article 2 of the Convention; and placement services and training are provided to young persons under a Code for Children and Adolescents (1999), as required under Article 8. However, in all other respects, the Government is having substantial difficulty applying the provisions of the Convention because, in the words of the Government, the employment service is organized in a "precarious manner" that undermines its usefulness to employers and workers.

The Committee notes the Government’s request for technical assistance from the Office to help it establish a sound basis for applying all of the provisions of the Convention, including in particular a tripartite consultative committee (Article 4), a clear link between the employment service and the national employment policy (Article 1, paragraph 2), and a basic network of offices (Article 3). It hopes that the Office will be able to provide the needed assistance in the near future. The Committee asks the Government to keep it informed of progress made in applying the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s candid report. The Government has begun to establish a network of offices in La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, in accordance with the requirements of Article 2 of the Convention; and placement services and training are provided to young persons under a Code for Children and Adolescents (1999), as required under Article 8. However, in all other respects, the Government is having substantial difficulty applying the provisions of the Convention because, in the words of the Government, the employment service is organized in a "precarious manner" that undermines its usefulness to employers and workers.

The Committee notes the Government’s request for technical assistance from the Office to help it establish a sound basis for applying all of the provisions of the Convention, including in particular a tripartite consultative committee (Article 4), a clear link between the employment service and the national employment policy (Article 1, paragraph 2), and a basic network of offices (Article 3). It hopes that the Office will be able to provide the needed assistance in the near future. The Committee asks the Government to keep it informed of progress made in applying the Convention.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2002.]

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

The Committee notes the Government's report. The Government regrets that no overall employment service within the meaning of the Convention has been established. However, the current administration is in the process of implementing a programme of modernization in the field of labour relations, including a subprogramme for modernizing labour administration and strengthening the department responsible for the employment service. The Ministry of Labour has given instructions that its annual programme of work should place greater emphasis on employment. This will require giving greater powers to departmental managers and the establishment of regional employment units to cover requirements over the entire national territory. The Committee trusts that the technical assistance which the Government wishes to obtain will enable it to give effect to the provisions of the Convention and to reply to the following points which were brought up in the Committee's observation of 1995.

Articles 1 to 5 of the Convention. The Government has already stated its intention to establish an overall employment service in the form set out in these Articles. The Committee therefore reiterates its hope that the Government will be able to supply information on the extent to which effect has been given to the above Articles of the Convention, with particular emphasis on the creation of a network of local and, where appropriate, regional offices, as well as the arrangements made through advisory committees for the cooperation of representatives of employers and workers in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of the employment service policy.

Articles 6, 7 and 8. The Committee again asks the Government to continue to supply information on efforts being made to expand the functions of the employment service, indicating, in particular, measures taken to facilitate specialization by occupations and by industries and to meet adequately the needs of particular categories of applicants for employment, in accordance with these Articles. Please also furnish statistical information on the number of applications of employment received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment, as requested in Part IV of the report form.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2000.]

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

With reference to its earlier comments, the Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report, and in particular, the compilation of texts governing the status of public officials, including Decree No. 11049 of 1973 requested under Article 9 of the Convention.

Articles 1-5. The Government states in its report that the intention to establish an overall employment service in the form set out in these Articles, as indicated in its earlier report, has not yet been put into practice. The Government indicates that the main reasons for it are the lack of resources and the policy of stabilization and structural adjustment of the economy. It further states, nevertheless, that a possibility to create such an employment service could appear as a result of measures aiming at the political, economic and social stability, and due to the restructuring at the governmental level. The Committee therefore reiterates its hope that the Government will be able to supply in its next report, information on the extent to which effect has been given to the above Articles of the Convention, with particular emphasis on the creation of a network of local and, where appropriate, regional offices, as well as the arrangements made through advisory committees for the cooperation of representatives of employers and workers in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of the employment service policy.

Articles 6, 7 and 8. The Committee notes the Government's indications concerning the activities of the Employment Promotion Department of the Ministry of Labour aimed at the promotion of the employment and placement of workers. It asks the Government to continue to supply information on efforts being made to expand the functions of employment service, indicating, in particular, measures taken to facilitate specialization by occupations and by industries and to meet adequately the needs of particular categories of applicants for employment, such as disabled persons and juveniles, in accordance with these Articles. Please also furnish statistical information on the number of applications of employment received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment, as required under Part IV of the report form.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

The Committee notes the Government's report.

Articles 1 to 5 of the Convention. The Committee notes that it is the current Government's intention to establish an overall employment service in the form set out in the above Articles of the Convention. The Government also states that consultations will be encouraged in the prefectures, development bodies and municipal authorities that exist in the capital cities of the nine national departments, and that the tripartite model of participation recommended by the ILO will be adopted. The Committee notes the above and hopes that in its next report the Government will be able to supply information on the extent to which effect has been given to the above Articles of the Convention.

Articles 6, 7 and 8. With reference to the Committee's previous comments, the Government supplies information on the functioning of the Social Emergency Fund (FSE), which was set up in 1986. The Committee refers to its comments on the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), in which it requested information on the generation of productive employment through activities undertaken by the FSE (see point 3 of the 1989 direct request and the observation). The Committee hopes that in its next report on Convention No. 88 the Government will supply information on the organisation, activities and operation of the employment service, and on the arrangements made by the employment service for special categories of job applicants and for vocational guidance, as required by the report form for the above Articles.

Article 9. The Government indicates in its report that a copy of Decree No. 11049, of 24 August 1973, will be transmitted upon completion of the new compilation of the principal legal labour norms that are currently in force. The Committee notes the above and trusts that the above compilation will be transmitted in the near future in order to enable it to fully examine the way in which effect is given to this Article of the Convention.