Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

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

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Consultations with the social partners. For a number of years, the Committee has been requesting the Government to provide information on the manner in which employment objectives are achieved, as well as on the situation and trends of the labour market. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, since the adoption and application of the employment policy in 2004 by the Planning Council, several amendments had to be made to the policy in view of developments in the country in recent years, with the aim of bringing the policy into conformity with the reality on the ground and achieve full employment. The Government indicates that a committee was commissioned in 2012 to modify the labour market strategy. It adds that the proposed strategy focuses on several pillars, which include: measures to combat unemployment resulting from the halting of development projects due to the war; education and training measures to meet the needs of the labour market; and measures focusing on the informal economy and the participation of migrants in labour-intensive activities. The Government points out that, due to the war, companies have left the country and the number of young persons with disabilities has increased. In addition, the Government reports that irregular migration has increased dramatically, leading to growing competition with the national labour force and impinging negatively on the labour market. The Committee notes that the most recent statistics provided by the Government are from 2012. For example, the Government indicates that the number of qualified jobseekers increased from 39,880 in 2007 to 149,808 in 2012, especially among women (from 26,009 to 94,379). The Government indicates that upon the adoption of the labour market strategy, it would inform the Committee of the policies adopted targeting full employment. While acknowledging the complexity of the situation prevailing on the ground, the Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide updated and detailed information on the envisaged labour market strategy and the manner in which employment objectives are achieved, as well as up-to-date statistical data on the situation, level and trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment, disaggregated by sex and age. It also requests the Government to provide information on the involvement of the social partners, in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention, which requires that their views and experiences be fully taken into account when designing and implementing an active employment policy.

Article 2. Labour market information. The Committee recalls its previous comments stressing the importance of establishing a system for the collection and analysis of labour market data to enable an assessment and review of measures taken to attain the objectives of the Convention. The Committee therefore reiterates its request that the Government provide information on any progress achieved in this regard, and invites the Government to avail itself of the assistance of the Office, should it wish to do so.

Promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises. The Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide information in its next report on the measures adopted to promote the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises, taking into account the guidance set out in paragraph 5 of the Job Creation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Recommendation, 1998 (No. 189).

Workers vulnerable to decent work deficits. The Committee requests the Government to provide information, including statistical data disaggregated by age and sex, on the impact of measures, including vocational education and training measures, to increase the labour market participation rate of persons vulnerable to decent work deficits, including women, young persons, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, workers in rural areas and those in the informal economy.