Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

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

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Policies to promote employment and coordination with poverty reduction. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2008. In its 2005 observation, the Committee requested detailed information on the measures taken to ensure that employment, as a key element of poverty reduction, was central to macroeconomic and social policies. The Government refers to a strategy adopted for the period 2007–13, through which the Ministry of Labour intends to optimize the use of human resources within a framework of institutions and social justice, and which is aimed at realizing a solid legal framework in the country. According to the Government, the employment policy occupies a central axis in the five-year plan for 2007–11. In this context, a poverty reduction strategy and programmes were adopted for the employment of university graduates and rural workers. The Committee notes that, according to a Joint World Bank–UNDP evaluation, about 60–70 per cent of the population in the North and 90 per cent in the South of the country are estimated to be living below the poverty line, with incomes of less than US$1 per day. Persons living in rural areas, in particular women and internally displaced populations, are the hardest hit by poverty. Beyond the state of Khartoum, the infrastructure (roads, railways, power and water) is either non-existent or underdeveloped across the country. The Committee recalls that the UN adopted a policy for post-conflict employment creation, income generation and reintegration which stresses that, in post-conflict situations, employment is vital to short-term stability, reintegration, economic growth and sustainable peace. The Committee therefore invites the Government to report on the measures taken to develop and implement an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention, with the assistance of the ILO and other international agencies. The Government is also asked to provide information on how it intends to meet, in the context of the five-year plan for 2007–11, the employment needs of vulnerable categories of workers such as women, young persons, older workers and persons with disabilities.

Collection and use of employment data. The Government indicates that it carried out a population census in 2008 so as to compile information needed by planners and policy-makers. It further indicates that the results of this exercise would be released in 2009 and that this population data would lead to the preparation of a survey for the collection of data and information on the labour market. It further reports that, in September 2008, a workshop was held with the participation of experts, specialists and representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations on data collection. The Committee also notes that the ILO was requested to provide technical assistance so as to carry out the labour market survey. The Committee invites the Government to provide an account of the progress made to improve the labour market information system and to include in its next report detailed statistics on the situation and trends in employment, specifying the manner in which the collected data has been used to determine and review employment policy measures.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in policy preparation and implementation. The Committee notes the Government’s statement indicating that no decision is taken without the participation of employers and workers. The Committee can only emphasize once again the importance of giving full effect to Article 3, specifically for Sudan which experiences a very high and persistent unemployment. The Committee hopes that the next report will include information on the consultations held with the representatives of social partners in order to secure their cooperation in the formulation and implementation of employment policy programmes and measures.