Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Cameroon (Ratification: 1970)

1. The Committee notes the Government's report which refers to the period ending September 1996. It regrets that the report replies only partly to its previous request and notes with concern that the Government indicates that, in an economic situation dominated by the negative impact of structural adjustment programmes on the labour market, no national policy on employment has been formulated or applied. The Committee, which notes that the Government recognizes that the promotion of employment entails a multidimensional approach, recalls that under Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention each State party undertakes to formulate and apply "as a major goal, an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment", and that it must, for this purpose, "decide on and keep under review" the measures to be adopted "within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy". The Committee trusts that the next report will contain, in reply to the relevant questions in the report form, information showing that such a policy has been formulated, both to comply with the Convention and to give effect in practice to the right of every person to work which is enshrined in the Constitution of 18 January 1996.

2. The Committee observes that the short description of sectoral policies contains no new information. It recalls once again its previous requests concerning the evaluation of results in terms of job creation of establishing an "industrial free zone" and the facilities provided by the Investments Code. The Committee requests the Government once again to describe the training and retraining activities undertaken by the National Employment Fund. It also requests the Government to describe the measures promoting micro-enterprises and self-employment which it mentions, indicating the results expected.

3. Article 3. The Committee notes the indication that the National Labour Advisory Commission allows representation of the social partners. It notes, furthermore, that the Constitution of 18 January 1996, article 54, provides for the establishment of an Economic and Social Council whose composition, duties and organization shall be laid down by the law. It hopes that the Government's next report will provide full information on the manner in which these bodies ensure consultations with the persons affected, as required by this essential provision of the Convention.

4. Finally, given the extent of the difficulties which the Government is apparently encountering in formulating and applying an employment policy in conformity with the Convention, the Committee reminds the Government that it may request advice or technical cooperation from the ILO.