Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Central African Republic (RATIFICATION: 1964)

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Articles 3–5 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide updated, detailed information on the operation and activities of the Central African Agency for Employment and Vocational Training (ACFPE), as well as on any developments relating to the operation of the Standing National Labour Council (CNPT). It also requested the Government to communicate information on the number of public employment offices established and their location, the number of applications for employment received, vacancies notified and persons placed in employment by employment offices. The Government indicates that the ACFPE has seven regional public employment agencies, spread across the national territory, which provide services to enterprises and work to promote youth employment. To this end, the ACFPE has signed a certain number of partnership agreements with investors, to ensure that continuous and vocational training are provided in the technical areas corresponding to the needs of enterprise. Regarding the employment sector, the Government indicates that in 2019, 11,142 jobseekers were registered with the ACFPE; 1,823 jobseekers received training in jobseeking techniques; 6,173 contracts were drawn up and 2,468 job vacancies were registered. The Committee notes that, among the measures taken in respect of occupational training and employment creation, several workers and jobseekers received occupational training: 727 persons were trained in entrepreneurship, and 26 enterprise creation projects were financed. It also notes that three market surveys on income generating activities were carried out in the country’s second cities (Paoua, Bozoum, Sibut, Kaga Bandoro and Dekoa) and that the ACFPE had signed a certain number of collaboration agreements with technical partners and financiers, including the French Development Agency (AFD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the International Labour Office (ILO). The Government also indicates that the CNPT is not always operational. However, ACFPE activities are coordinated and overseen by a governing body, with strong implication of the social partners in the form of two employers’ representatives, two workers’ representatives and one State representative. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated, detailed information, including statistics disaggregated by age and sex, on the impact of the collaboration agreements with the technical partners and financiers, in particular regarding their contribution to full, productive and freely chosen employment in the country. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that the employment agencies are sufficiently numerous to serve all geographic regions of the country.

Articles 6–8. Functions of the public employment service. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide information on the measures taken to facilitate, within the various employment offices, specialization by occupation or industry and to provide detailed information on the measures adopted or envisaged in respect of vulnerable categories of workers, such as workers with disabilities and young persons, including the placement programme within the public employment service. The Government indicates that reforms have been undertaken in conformity with Articles 6 and 8 of the Convention concerning the functions of the public employment service. According to the Government’s report, these reforms concern primarily the organization and functioning of the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Occupational Training and Social Protection (Decree No. 18.168 of 21 June 2018), the adoption of a public policy in respect of employment and occupational training, and the follow-up to the establishment of the General Directorate responsible, in close collaboration with the ACFPE, for the public employment service. Moreover, every year, the ACFPE draws up a catalogue of continuous training courses in certain technical areas that require specialization, which are aimed at vulnerable social categories, including young persons. In this regard, the Committee notes that in 2019, 110 young, qualified persons benefited from occupational insertion contracts in enterprises and 881 apprentices were trained and certified in apprenticeship techniques. The Committee requests the Government to communicate updated, detailed information showing the impact of the reforms on effective recruitment and placement of workers and on specialization by occupation or branch of activity within the employment services to respond adequately to the needs of particular categories of jobseekers, such as persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups of jobseekers. The Committee also requests the Government to communicate updated information on measures taken to provide specialized training to the public servants in the employment service to allow them to ensure a service answering to the concerns of specific groups, such as persons with disabilities, women and long-term unemployed persons.

Article 11. Effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies. In its previous comments, having noted the Government’s indication that the Labour Code of 2009 introduced a liberalization of private employment agencies, the Committee asked the Government to provide information on any developments regarding the regulation of private employment agencies, particularly to ensure their cooperation with the public employment service, and to provide copies of any legislative texts adopted in this respect. The Government indicates that the provisions of the Act concerning the revised Labour Code address cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies. The Committee observes that sections 341, 342 and 343 of the Labour Code of 2009, concerning the organization and functioning of the private employment agencies, contain no provision relative to cooperation between the public services and private employment agencies. It notes however that a first draft revision of the Labour Code has been submitted to the National Assembly for adoption, with a view to promoting the expected cooperation. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply updated and detailed information on developments concerning the regulation of private employment agencies, including on the adoption process of the first draft revision of the Labour Code and to provide a copy of any legislative text modified or adopted in this regard.

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Articles 3–5 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. In its previous comments, the Committee invited the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure the effective operation of the network of agencies of the Central African Agency for Employment and Vocational Training (ACFPE). The Government indicates in its report that the ACFPE has four regional agencies outside the capital. The Committee notes that the Government has been indicating since 2011 that the ACFPE is reviewing its strategy following the adoption of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. In this context, the ACFPE is developing a partnership for the establishment and promotion of a network of agencies to adapt better to the needs of users, reinforce the provision of services to enterprises and jobseekers, and establish an employment market information system. In the context of this partnership, the Government indicates that, during the course of 2015, a total of 4,100 jobseekers were registered with the ACFPE and 3,136 fixed-term contracts and 2,932 contracts for an indefinite period were concluded and validated by the ACFPE during the last half of 2015. The Government adds that certain jobseekers were trained in jobseeking techniques, while others participated in a programme of labour-intensive works. The Committee also notes that the Standing National Labour Council is still not operational. The Government adds that prefectoral councils have not yet been established due to the lack of resources. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the operation and activities of the Central African Agency for Employment and Vocational Training. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on any developments relating to the operation of the Standing National Labour Council with a view to ensuring the collaboration of the representatives of employers and workers in the organization of the public employment service. The Committee also requests the Government to continue providing updated information on the number of public employment offices established and their location, the number of applications for employment received, vacancies notified and persons placed in employment by employment offices.

Articles 6–8. Functions of the public employment service. The Government once again indicates that specialization by occupation and industry is not yet operational. However, since 2009, the ACFPE has been recruiting, through vocational integration enterprise contracts, young persons with different skills profiles to train them as employment advisers. With regard to the application of Article 8 of the Convention, the Government indicates that no specific measures have been taken with respect to young persons. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to facilitate, within the various employment offices, specialization by occupation or industry. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures adopted or envisaged in respect of vulnerable categories of workers, such as workers with disabilities, and young persons.

Article 11. Effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies. The Government reiterates that the new Labour Code has introduced a liberalization of private employment agencies. However, the Committee once again notes that the implementing text is still under preparation. Accordingly, these offices are still not authorized to operate. The Government adds that the implementing text will be issued in the near future. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any developments in relation to the regulation of private employment agencies, and particularly to ensure their cooperation with the public employment service. It also requests the Government to provide copies of any legislative texts adopted in this respect.

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

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Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in June 2013 in response to its 2011 direct request. It notes that the events which had shaken the country in March 2013 have not spared the Central African Agency for Vocational Training (CAAVT), whose offices had been vandalized. The Government also indicates that operationalization of the National Permanent Labour Council will allow reinforced collaboration between employers and workers. The Government indicates that, during 2009, 6,620 employment seekers matriculated at CAAVT, 732 were placed and 62 benefited from professional insertion contract of an enterprise. The Government also notes that 1,656 jobseekers were trained in techniques for finding employment, 1,400 young unemployed were occupied and remunerated in the framework of a high-intensity work programme for manpower, and 23 apprentices were placed in welcoming structures. The Committee invites the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure effective operation of the network of CAAVT agencies (Article 3 of the Convention). It also requests that the Government describe the results noted or expected from CAAVT activities in the framework of the implementation of the poverty reduction strategy (PRS). Moreover, the Committee invites the Government to provide details on the measures taken by the National Permanent Labour Council in order to ensure the collaboration of employers’ and workers’ representatives in the organization of the public employment service (Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention). In addition, the Committee invites the Government to continue to provide practical information concerning the number of public employment offices created, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies announced and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices (Part IV of the report form).

Functions of the public employment service. The Government indicates that specialization by profession and industry is not yet operational; however, since 2009, the CAAVT is recruiting in the framework of a professional enterprise insertion contract (PEIC) young persons coming from various educational backgrounds. The Committee invites the Government to provide detailed information on the activities that the CAAVT performs in order to carry out effectively the functions described in Article 6 of the Convention, by specifying CAAVT activities concerning the various professions and industries as well as vulnerable categories for workers, such as workers with disabilities (Article 7). Please also indicate the impact of the measures taken or envisaged by the CAAVT to ensure access to an appropriate job for young persons (Article 8).

Measures to ensure cooperation with private employment agencies. The Government refers to placement liberalization which has been done in the framework of the new Labour Code. The Committee notes that private placement offices are not yet authorized to operate due to the fact that the application text is still in the drafting stage. The Committee invites the Government to provide, in due course, information on the measures adopted or envisaged by the employment service to ensure cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies (Article 11).

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Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in June 2013 in response to its 2011 direct request. It notes that the events which had shaken the country in March 2013 have not spared the Central African Agency for Vocational Training (CAAVT), whose offices had been vandalized. The Government also indicates that operationalization of the National Permanent Labour Council will allow reinforced collaboration between employers and workers. The Government indicates that, during 2009, 6,620 employment seekers matriculated at CAAVT, 732 were placed and 62 benefited from professional insertion contract of an enterprise. The Government also notes that 1,656 jobseekers were trained in techniques for finding employment, 1,400 young unemployed were occupied and remunerated in the framework of a high-intensity work programme for manpower, and 23 apprentices were placed in welcoming structures. The Committee invites the Government to indicate in its next report the measures taken to ensure effective operation of the network of CAAVT agencies (Article 3 of the Convention). It also requests that the Government describe the results noted or expected from CAAVT activities in the framework of the implementation of the poverty reduction strategy (PRS). Moreover, the Committee invites the Government to provide details on the measures taken by the National Permanent Labour Council in order to ensure the collaboration of employers’ and workers’ representatives in the organization of the public employment service (Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention). In addition, the Committee invites the Government to continue to provide practical information concerning the number of public employment offices created, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies announced and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices (Part IV of the report form).

Functions of the public employment service. The Government indicates that specialization by profession and industry is not yet operational; however, since 2009, the CAAVT is recruiting in the framework of a professional enterprise insertion contract (PEIC) young persons coming from various educational backgrounds. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report detailed information on the activities that the CAAVT performs in order to carry out effectively the functions described in Article 6 of the Convention, by specifying CAAVT activities concerning the various professions and industries as well as vulnerable categories for workers, such as workers with disabilities (Article 7). Please also indicate the impact of the measures taken or envisaged by the CAAVT to ensure access to an appropriate job for young persons (Article 8).

Measures to ensure cooperation with private employment agencies. The Government refers to placement liberalization which has been done in the framework of the new Labour Code. The Committee notes that private placement offices are not yet authorized to operate due to the fact that the application text is still in the drafting stage. The Committee invites the Government to provide, in due course, information on the measures adopted or envisaged by the employment service to ensure cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies (Article 11).

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Contribution of the employment service to the promotion of employment. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in June 2011, in reply to its previous direct requests, to the effect that the Central African Agency for Vocational Training and Employment (ACFPE) has established four regional offices in the interior of the country in order to expand its role and cater to the needs of workers in the various geographical regions. The Government indicates that another two offices are due to be opened. The Committee notes that the ACFPE is reviewing its strategy to ensure a better match between its activities and those of the poverty reduction strategy. The ACFPE covers three main areas of activity: establishment of a system of information on the employment market, creation of a network of offices, and strengthening of the supply of services to enterprises and jobseekers. The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report the measures taken to ensure the effective operation of the network of ACFPE offices (Article 3 of the Convention). It also requests the Government to provide information on the results achieved or expected from ACFPE activities as part of the implementation of the poverty reduction strategy. The Committee hopes that the Government’s next report will contain practical 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 the ACFPE offices (Part IV of the report form).

Functions of the public employment service. The Government indicates that it is important to continue to place particular emphasis on specialization for employment office staff and to make specific provisions for persons with disabilities and young persons. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on ACFPE activities designed to ensure the effective discharge of the functions listed in Article 6, specifying ACFPE activities for various occupations and industries and vulnerable categories of workers, such as persons with disabilities (Article 7). The Government is also requested to indicate the impact of the measures taken or contemplated by the ACFPE to ensure that young people have access to decent employment (Article 8).

Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention. Participation of the social partners. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that a new national advisory body, the Standing National Labour Council, has been set up but is not yet fully operational. The Council foresees the establishment of prefectural councils within which employers’ and workers’ representatives will be able to discuss and collaborate in the organization and operation of the employment service. The Government also emphasizes that when the Council becomes operational it will be possible to strengthen collaboration between employers’ and workers’ organizations and employment services. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the measures taken by the Standing National Labour Council to ensure the collaboration of employers’ and workers’ representatives in the organization of the public employment service.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2013.]

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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 2005 direct request, which read as follows:

1. Restructuring of the employment service. In the report for the period ending June 2005, the Government indicates that, following the dissolution of the National Manpower Office, the Central African Agency for Vocational Training and Employment (ACFPE) was established in May 1999. The principal functions of the ACFPE relate to the implementation of all operations for the promotion of employment, the promotion of vocational training and the development of free enterprise. The Government specifies that, although ACFPE agencies have been established in the cities of three prefectures, namely Mbaïki, Bambari and Berbérati, the agencies do not cover the whole of the territory in view of the inadequacy of economic activity in certain regions. The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report the progress achieved and the assessment of the new organization of the employment service under the responsibility of the ACFPE. It also requests it to indicate the activities undertaken by the ACFPE to ensure the effective discharge of the objectives and functions set out in Articles 6, 7 and 8 of the Convention.

2. Participation of the social partners. The Committee requests the Government to provide particulars in its next report on the consultations held with representatives of employers and workers on the organization and operation of the employment service and the development of employment policy, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention.

3. The Committee once again requests the Government to include in its next report the statistical data called for in Part IV of the report form (applications for employment received, vacancies notified and persons placed in employment).

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1. Restructuring of the employment service. In the report for the period ending June 2005, the Government indicates that, following the dissolution of the National Manpower Office, the Central African Agency for Vocational Training and Employment (ACFPE) was established in May 1999. The principal functions of the ACFPE relate to the implementation of all operations for the promotion of employment, the promotion of vocational training and the development of free enterprise. The Government specifies that, although ACFPE agencies have been established in the cities of three prefectures, namely Mbaïki, Bambari and Berbérati, the agencies do not cover the whole of the territory in view of the inadequacy of economic activity in certain regions. The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report the progress achieved and the assessment of the new organization of the employment service under the responsibility of the ACFPE. It also requests it to indicate the activities undertaken by the ACFPE to ensure the effective discharge of the objectives and functions set out in Articles 6, 7 and 8 of the Convention.

2. Participation of the social partners. The Committee requests the Government to provide particulars in its next report on the consultations held with representatives of employers and workers on the organization and operation of the employment service and the development of employment policy, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention.

3. The Committee once again requests the Government to include in its next report the statistical data called for in Part IV of the report form (applications for employment received, vacancies notified and persons placed in employment).

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The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending May 1998, received in October 1998.

1. Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee notes that annexes to the National Manpower Office (ONMO) have been established at Bambari (eastern sector), Bouar (western sector) and at M'ba(ki (south-western sector). The Government also mentions missions carried out by the labour inspectors and by the prefects as substitute labour inspectors. It would be grateful if the Government would indicate in its next report the provisions made for a general survey of the employment office network and a revision of its organization, in the light of new conditions affecting the economy and the working population within the national territory.

2. Articles 4 and 5. In its earlier comments, the Committee referred to section 162 of the Labour Code, which provides for the establishment of regional advisory committees chaired by the prefects. In its last report the Government supplied no new information on the adoption of the Decree under the Code, which fixes the organization and operation of these committees. In these circumstances, the Committee trusts that the Government will be able to indicate in its next report which steps have been taken to implement the abovementioned provisions of the Labour Code and to supply the information on the activities of the regional committees, in their respective sectors, as regards employment service.

3. Articles 7 and 8. The Committee notes with interest that ONMO publishes statistics on vacancies and applications for jobs, taking account of sectors of activity and professional categories. The Committee also reiterates its request to the Government to supply in its next report detailed information on the special measures necessary to give effect to these provisions of the Convention.

4. Finally, the Committee requests the Government to include in its next report the requisite statistical information under Part IV of the report form (applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified, and the number of persons placed in employment).

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The Committee has noted the information supplied by the Government in 1994 and 1995. It notes that this information does not contain any new particulars in reply to previous observations. The Committee hopes that the next report will provide the information requested on the points raised in its previous direct request concerning application of Articles 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 of the Convention. The Committee also repeats its request to the Government to furnish, to the extent possible, the statistical information requested in Part IV of the report form (number of applications for employment received, number of vacancies notified and number of persons placed in employment).

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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 takes note of the information supplied by the Government in reply to its previous comments. It requests the Government to continue to report on the progress made in the planned extension of the network of employment offices to the whole national territory (Article 3 of the Convention). It also asks the Government to provide more complete information on the establishment, operation and activities of the regional advisory committees, indicating the manner in which the cooperation of representatives of the employers and workers is ensured in the organization and operation of the employment service and the development of the general policy of the employment service (Articles 4 and 5).

The Committee notes from the Government's report that no particular measures have been taken with regard to certain categories of the population specifically covered by the Convention. It wishes to recall in this connection that, under Article 7, special measures must be 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. Similarly, under Article 8, special arrangements for juveniles must be initiated and developed within the framework of the employment and vocational guidance services. The Committee hopes that, in its next report, the Government will supply information on the measures taken or under consideration to secure greater conformity with the provisions of these Articles and on all progress made in this matter.

Lastly, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide, in so far as it is able, the statistical information required by point IV of the report form (number of applications for employment received, number of vacancies notified and number of persons placed in employment).

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The Committee takes note of the information supplied by the Government in reply to its previous comments. It requests the Government to continue to report on the progress made in the planned extension of the network of employment offices to the whole national territory (Article 3 of the Convention). It also asks the Government to provide more complete information on the establishment, operation and activities of the regional advisory committees, indicating the manner in which the co-operation of representatives of the employers and workers is ensured in the organisation and operation of the employment service and the development of the general policy of the employment service (Articles 4 and 5).

The Committee notes from the Government's report that no particular measures have been taken with regard to certain categories of the population specifically covered by the Convention. It wishes to recall in this connection that, under Article 7, special measures must be taken to facilitate specialisation by occupations and by industries and to meet adequately the needs of particular categories of applicants for employment, such as disabled persons. Similarly, under Article 8, special arrangements for juveniles must be initiated and developed within the framework of the employment and vocational guidance services. The Committee hopes that, in its next report, the Government will supply information on the measures taken or under consideration to secure greater conformity with the provisions of these Articles and on all progress made in this matter.

Lastly, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide, in so far as it is able, the statistical information required by point IV of the report form (number of applications for employment received, number of vacancies notified and number of persons placed in employment).