Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Social Policy (Basic Aims and Standards) Convention, 1962 (No. 117) - Senegal (Ratification: 1967)

The Committee notes the observations of the National Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Senegal (UNSAS), which were received by the Office on 27 August 2018. It invites the Government to make its comments in this regard.

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the results of the application of the National Economic and Social Development Strategy (SNDES) in terms of the improvement of the living standards of the population. The Committee notes the detailed information provided in response to its 2013 direct request. It notes that in 2014 the SNDES was launched within the Emerging Senegal Plan (PSE), which draws together all earlier development strategies. Among other objectives, the PSE sets the aim of the achievement of strong and lasting economic growth sustained by various sectors with a view to considerably improving the living standards of populations and significantly reducing poverty. This strategy is based on sectoral and local policies and sets sustainable development goals (SDGs). It emphasizes wealth creation, the strengthening of governance, the development of highly labour-intensive subsectors, and particularly the agricultural (agriculture, forestry and livestock), fishing, mining, construction, social habitat and tourism subsectors with a significant impact on the improvement of the well-being of populations and social demand. The Government adds that it regularly devotes over one-third of its budget to social expenditure, which has increased from CFA francs 416 billion in 2006 to nearly 850 billion in 2017. The Committee also notes the various initiatives launched to combat the negative externalities of rapid urbanization, including: the City Modernization Programme (PROMOVILLES), the objective of which is to increase the level of collective facilities and the resources of territorial communities and to improve the refuse services and transport conditions in regional capitals, optimize the management of communal lands, living conditions, visibility and nocturnal security, as well as the employability of young persons; and the Urban Centre Development Programme (PUMA) and the promotion of social habitats. The latter has been given effect through a Framework Act to prevent and eliminate congestion in urban areas. The Government indicates that the PSE aims to improve productivity in rural areas in Senegal, which essentially depend on agriculture for a living, including through the reinforcement and modernization of production systems. The objective is reflected in the important creation of formal jobs and a significant reduction of poverty. The Committee also notes the implementation of the Senegal Agriculture Recovery and Acceleration Programme (PRACAS), which is intended to implement the agricultural component of the PSE, including item 1 “Structural transformation of the economy and growth”, based on three objectives: “(i) reinforcing food security in Senegal and achieving a re-equilibrium of the balance of trade which has deteriorated as a result of food imports; (ii) developing high added value competitive integrated sectors; and (iii) preserving the socio-economic balance and making the rural economy more dynamic”. PRACAS is based on the modernization of family farms through a combination of vocational training for farmers, financing and adapted equipment, the emergence of agricultural and rural enterprises based on the approach of eco-responsible value chains, the organization of demand-driven sectors, the involvement of young persons and women in the implementation of job-creating agricultural farms, the reinforcement of technical knowledge and adapted equipment, and the resilience of disadvantaged population groups. The overall budget allocated to the agriculture subsector is increasing. It was CFA francs 176.5 billion in 2017, up from CFA francs 175.2 billion in 2016 and 172.4 billion in 2015. The added value of the agriculture sub-sector accordingly rose from CFA francs 1,020.8 billion in 2016 to 1,127 billion in 2017, or an increase of 10.4 per cent, above the growth rate of the national economy. With a view to combating food insecurity and limiting vulnerability to shocks related to risks and disasters and climate change, an emergency intervention fund has been established, as well as an assistance and compensation mechanism for victims and a reserve of 10,000 tonnes of cereals each year. Mechanisms are envisaged, among other purposes, to subsidize the purchase of seed and other agricultural inputs, support and set remunerative prices and therefore freeze imports to allow the distribution of local products. The Committee also notes with interest the 2016 revision of the Constitution and the inclusion of Article 25(1), which provides that natural resources belong to the people, shall be used for the improvement of their standards of living and shall be used and managed transparently with a view to generating economic growth, promoting the well-being of the population in general and being ecologically sustainable. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report updated and detailed information, including statistical data disaggregated by sex and age, on the results of the implementation of the Emerging Senegal Plan (PSE)1, particularly in terms of the application of Article 5 of the Convention and the components of the improvement of standards of living (such as employment, food, housing, medical care and education). It also requests the Government to provide information on the nature and impact of the new measures adopted in the framework of PSE2 to improve the standards of living of the population, within the meaning of Articles 3, 4 and 5 of the Convention.

Part IV. Remuneration of workers. Advances on wages. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the implementation in practice and the transposition into domestic law of Articles 10 and 11 of the Convention. The Committee invites the Government to indicate the measures adopted or envisaged to give effect to the objectives set out in Articles 12(3) and 13 of the Convention.

Part V. Non-discrimination on grounds of race, colour, sex, belief, tribal association or trade union affiliation. The Committee notes the information provided on the existence of provisions in the Constitution, the Labour Code and collective agreements prohibiting any discrimination between workers on the grounds of race, colour, sex, belief, belonging to a traditional group or trade union affiliation. The Committee notes the Bill to establish a tripartite body, the National Observatory of Discrimination at Work (ONDT). The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the establishment of this observatory and its activities, as well as on its impact on discrimination.

Part VI. Education and vocational training. The Committee notes the adoption of Act No. 2015-01 of 6 January 2015 issuing the Framework Act on vocational and technical training, intended to modernize this subsector, with the objective of meeting labour market needs for skilled human resources. The Committee also notes the initiatives adopted to improve the governance of training and education establishments, including: the creation and operation of steering bodies for public establishments, namely establishment councils and administrative councils; the increased autonomy of public vocational training institutions; the organization of a control/management operation for private vocational training schools; the conduct of risk assessment missions in 68 vocational and technical training institutions in support of the healthy and transparent management of vocational and technical training structures. The Committee also notes the measures adopted for the improvement and modernization of education and training equipment, including: the establishment of new sectoral vocational training centres for jobs relating to heavy vehicles, automobiles, two-wheeled vehicles and outboard motors, energy saving in Diamnbiadio and agricultural machinery in Diama, which are nearing completion; the rehabilitation and equipping of three technical high schools; the construction and fitting out of eight vocational training centres covering the horticulture, tourism and poultry clusters; the construction and fitting out of seven local vocational training centres in different locations; and the provision to institutions in 2016 and 2017 of equipment worth CFA francs 1.5 billion. The Committee invites the Government to include statistical data in its next report on the results achieved in relation to education and training within the meaning of Part VI of the Convention.