Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Madagascar (Ratification: 1966)

Article 1 of the Convention. The Committee notes the detailed information provided in the Government's report for the period ending September 1998. The Government states that the participation rate was 62.9 per cent in 1996 and 63.4 per cent in 1997, and the unemployment rate was 6.8 per cent in 1996 and 5.8 per cent in 1997. The principal sectors for job creation in this period were the informal sector and the free enterprise zones. The Government explains that a programme of social action and aid for economic management has been established to mitigate the negative effects of structural adjustment by helping displaced workers to find new employment, particularly by promoting self-employment. The programme also ensures that back wages and an indemnity are paid to laid-off workers and provides counselling, apprenticeships and some equipment.

The Government explains that the goals of its employment policy in relation to its structural adjustment policy are to maintain the level of employment and promote self-employment. Means of achieving this are to develop the communications infrastructure, rural areas and free enterprise zones. Programmes for rural development, formulated in consultation with the social partners, include water usage, revolving credit funds and developing fisheries. The Government reports that project MAG 94/006 for the promotion of employment for women has 30 locations and has organized 1,179 women into groups for a revolving loan fund. The programme also provides training to help the women run their micro-enterprises. The Committee notes this information. It would appreciate being kept informed of the success of these programmes, and of any programmes aimed at developing non-agricultural rural economic activities. The Committee also notes the Government's statement that it is studying, through CNATAP, the possibility of developing six autonomous provinces with independent employment and vocational training policies. The Committee asks to be kept informed of the outcome of this study. Lastly, the Committee notes that project MADIO is aimed at analysing the labour market. It hopes that MADIO will be able to produce detailed disaggregated data on the trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment, and requests copies of any reports or studies produced.

Article 2. The Government states that employment policies are always developed within the context of the larger economic and social objectives, but no clear procedure has yet been adopted to promote full employment in the context of the economic and social plan. Furthermore, as the employment policy measures are not yet well elaborated, no regular review procedure has yet been established. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would keep it informed of progress made in ensuring that the measures adopted for attaining the objectives specified in Article 1 are decided on and kept under review within a framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

Article 3. The Government states that the National Employment Council, composed of a national committee and regional councils, was established by law in 1997. It is a tripartite body for consultation, dialogue, negotiation and information concerning employment, training and social protection. The Government also states that the Employment and Vocational Training Commission has established a work plan which it is now in the first phase of being carried out. The Committee asks to be kept informed of the activities of these bodies and asks the Government to indicate whether they include or consult with representatives of the informal and rural sectors on the development and review of general employment policies and programmes.

Part V of the report form. The Government states that it is not yet possible to evaluate the technical cooperation activities due to their sporadic nature. The Committee would appreciate being kept informed of these activities and any follow-up action taken.