Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

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

Implementation of an active employment policy. In reply to the 2011 observation, the Committee notes the statement forwarded by the Government in June 2012. The Government indicates that the problem of unemployment is one of the principal causes of the Revolution of 14 January 2011. It adds that unemployment is a major challenge for the country: unemployment was in excess of 18 per cent of the population at the end of 2011 (13 per cent in 2010) and represents the essential cause of poverty. Youth employment is one of the major challenges for the Government, particularly in relation to the employment of those completing higher education, who number 80,000 a year. The unemployment rate among those completing higher education is 30 per cent. In its previous comments, the Committee emphasized the importance of being able to examine information on the manner in which the main elements of economic policy contribute, “within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy” (Article 2 of the Convention), to achieving the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Committee invites the Government to provide information in its next report on the results achieved and the difficulties encountered in the achievement of the employment policy objectives set out in the Government’s new programmes, including updated quantitative information on the trends and results of the measures established to stimulate growth and economic development, raise living standards, meet labour force needs and resolve the problem of unemployment and underemployment (Article 1(1)).

Compilation and use of employment data. The Committee notes the indications made by the National Institute of Statistics: the number of unemployed aged 15 and over reached 738,400 in December 2011 (or an increase of over 50 per cent in relation to the number for 2010). The Government explains this increase by the substantial decrease in investment and the loss of jobs in agriculture, tourism, industry and services. In 2011, the unemployment rate was much higher for women, reaching 28.2 per cent, compared with 15.4 per cent for men. The Committee invites the Government to indicate the manner in which the data compiled have been used to promote long-term employment among the most vulnerable categories of workers, such as women, youth, older workers, rural workers and workers in the informal economy.

Labour market policies to promote balanced and integrated regional development. The Government indicates that the problem of unemployment worsened in the west (26.9 per cent) and the south-west (29.5 per cent). In the north, the rate varies between 14.5 and 22.3 per cent. In governorates without economic fabric, unemployment reaches 40 per cent. The Committee once again invites the Government to provide information on the results achieved, in collaboration with the social partners at the regional and local levels in terms of job creation with a view to overcoming the backlog in employment between regions.

Promotion of small and micro-enterprises. In its previous comments, the Committee expressed the desire to examine the measures adopted “in order to create an environment conducive to the growth and development of small and medium-sized enterprises” (see Paragraph 5 of the Job Creation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Recommendation, 1998 (No. 189)). The Committee understands that one of the principal objectives of the employment programme of the Provisional Government is the development of entrepreneurship and the creation of micro-enterprises, as well as support and follow-up at all the stages of enterprise development. The Committee invites the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the results achieved through these initiatives.

Article 3 of the Convention. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and application of policies. With reference to its concluding remarks in the 2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments, the Committee once again emphasizes that social dialogue, which is already essential in periods of economic stability, becomes even more important in times of crisis (paragraph 794 of the 2010 General Survey). The Committee emphasizes the importance of giving full effect to Article 3 of the Convention, particularly in the new constitutional context and against the background of persistent unemployment. The Committee hopes that the next report will contain precise information on the consultations held with the representatives of the social partners on the subjects covered by the Convention. It also requests the Government to provide information on the consultations held with the most vulnerable categories of the population, and particularly with representatives of workers in rural areas and in the informal economy, with a view to securing their collaboration in the formulation and implementation of employment policy programmes and measures.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2014.].