Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Cambodia (Ratification: 1971)

1. The Committee notes with regret that for the fifth consecutive year the Government’s report has not been received. It expresses the hope that the Government will be able to supply a report for examination by the Committee at its next session.

2. The Committee notes the Better Factories Cambodia programme established in 2001, which is managed by the ILO and supported by the Government, the Garment Manufacturers’ Association in Cambodia (GMAC) and trade unions (see http://www.betterfactories.org/ILO/). The programme is funded by the Governments of the United States, France and Cambodia, as well as by GMAC and international buyers. Better Factories Cambodia is creating services to help the industry improve working conditions, while at the same time improving quality and productivity. It offers to the industry a progressive range of training opportunities and resources. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on the outcome of this programme and how it contributes to employment creation.

3. In previous reports received until 2000, the Government had indicated that employment generation was the most important strategy for poverty reduction. The Committee had previously noted that greater diversification of the economy was needed to achieve poverty reduction and employment creation. It would thus appreciate receiving further information on progress made to diversify the economy, particularly concerning agricultural and rural development. It also requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the measures taken to ensure that employment, as a key element of poverty reduction, is central to macroeconomic and social policies. It would also be important to be able to examine information on the results achieved in improving the supply of vocational and technical training and promoting an enterprise culture (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention and the Job Creation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Recommendation, 1998 (No. 189)).

4. The Committee had previously noted that the country’s statistics were not very reliable and that the ILO had provided support to the relevant ministry to develop labour market indicators. In this regard, the Committee recalls the importance of establishing a system for the compilation of labour market data and asks the Government to inform it on any progress made in this field and to provide in its next report information on the employment policy measures adopted following the establishment of new information systems.

5. Participation of the social partners. The Committee had previously noted that a tripartite Labour Advisory Committee was formed in 1999. Please supply information on the activities of the Labour Advisory Committee, including information on whether it is consulted on the development and review of employment policies and programmes. Please also supply information on how the views of the persons affected, such as rural and informal sector workers, are taken into account (Article 3).

6. Finally, the Committee emphasizes the fact that the preparation of a detailed report, including the indications requested in this observation, will provide the Government and the social partners with an opportunity to evaluate the achievement of the objectives of full and productive employment of the Convention. The Committee draws the Government’s attention to the technical assistance offered by the Office, which may assist it to comply with the reporting obligations and for the implementation of an active employment policy in the sense of the Convention.