Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Central African Republic (Ratification: 2006)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Formulation of an active employment policy. The Government indicates that significant progress has been made in the efforts to progressively find technical and financial partners with a view to implementing and executing the operational action plan of the National Employment and Vocational Training Policy (PNEFP). The Government adds that steps have been taken to mobilize the necessary resources to effectively ensure decent work that responds in practice to the needs of specific categories of workers in vulnerable situations, such as women, young people, workers with disabilities and older persons. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed and updated information on the nature and scope of the significant advances that have been made in the implementation and execution of the operational plan of action of the PNEFP. It also requests the Government to provide updated information on the concrete measures taken to meet the needs of particular categories of workers in vulnerable situations, such as women, young people, workers with disabilities and older persons. The Government is once again requested to provide a copy of the PNEFP framework document.

Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. The Government indicates that progress has been made in the progressive search for technical and financial partners with a view to making operational the Observatory of Employment and Vocational Training. Noting once again that the compilation of data not only allows the examination and evaluation of the results of employment policies, but also in parallel, to monitor progress towards full, productive and freely chosen employment, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide detailed and up-to-date information on the nature and extent of the progress made in making operational the Observatory of Employment and Vocational Training, including the scope of the measures taken, the recipients of the information gathered by the Observatory, and any obstacles encountered. The Committee also reiterates its request to the Government to provide information on developments in the creation and functionality of the other bodies mentioned in its previous report, particularly the intersectoral committee on employment. The Committee once again requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure that employment, as a key element of poverty reduction, is central to macroeconomic and social policies.

Education and training policies. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide a copy of the strategic guidelines 2 and 3 of the PNEFP framework document, and to provide examples of the measures taken to ensure that the promotion of vocational training is coordinated more fully with the employment prospects available to its beneficiaries. The Committee also requested the Government to provide detailed information on the results of the measures designed to promote the entry of young persons into the labour market. The Government reports on the progress made in the implementation of the National Fund for the Promotion of Employment and Vocational Training. With respect to youth employment, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report on the implementation of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), which indicates that the Central African Agency for Vocational Training and Employment (ACFPE) has signed a partnership agreement with the Bêkou Trust Fund in the context of developing actions related to the promotion of decent work and training programmes for groups in vulnerable situations, such as young people. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed and updated information, including statistics disaggregated by sex and age, on the impact of the measures taken to ensure that the promotion of vocational training is more in line with employment opportunities, particularly for young people and other groups in vulnerable situations.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of employment policies. The Government indicates that the social partners participated in all stages of the formulation of the PNEFP. Their participation was ensured by sending official invitations to workers’ and employers’ organizations, as well as to representatives of sectoral departments involved and interested in the implementation of employment policies and programmes. This enabled the Government to gather the participants’ observations on the situation of rural workers and especially informal economy workers, which constitute a significant segment of society. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the nature and outcome of consultations with the social partners and other stakeholders, including representatives of rural workers and workers in the informal economy, as well as other categories of workers affected by the measures taken or envisaged.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Formulation of an active employment policy. The Government, in reply to the Committee’s previous comments, indicates that in August 2016, the Ministry of Labour and Employment established a tripartite steering committee on the formulation process of the National Employment and Vocational Training Policy (PNEFP), with the support of ILO experts and a national consultant. It adds that the results of the work led to the validation and official submission of the PNEFP framework document to the President of the Republic in November 2016. The Government indicates that this document has taken into account the sector development policies at the public, semi-public, informal, agricultural, mining, forestry, industrial and infrastructure levels. It considers that, following the recurring crises that the country has gone through, the country’s development must involve the creation of productive and decent employment for the entire population, targeting, above all, the most vulnerable members of society, such as young people, women, persons with disabilities and older persons. The Government therefore considers employment to be a cross-cutting component of all its political programmes. In this regard, it indicates that the main measures of the PNEFP will be determined and regularly reviewed as part of a coordinated economic and social policy, thanks to the creation of the National Fund for the Promotion of Employment and Vocational Training and the Observatory of Employment and Vocational Training. The Committee notes that the unemployment rate is 24 per cent, of which 25.7 per cent in urban areas and 23.4 per cent in rural areas, and that women and young people are the most affected. While recognizing the complexity of the situation on the ground, the Committee nevertheless hopes that the objectives of the Convention will be taken into consideration in the reconstruction of the country. It requests the Government to provide information on the progress achieved in the implementation of the PNEFP, including a copy of its framework document. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken to respond to the needs of specific groups of workers who are vulnerable to decent work deficits, such as women, young people, older workers and workers with disabilities.

Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. The Government indicates that the PNEFP provides for the creation of an Observatory of Employment and Vocational Training in order to establish an information system on the employment market and qualifications, conduct analyses on job offers and qualifications and disseminate the findings of such analyses. It adds that the creation of the Observatory and the National Fund for the Promotion of Employment and Vocational Training will make it possible to determine and regularly review the main measures of the PNEFP. Moreover, the Fund seeks to financially support the realization of guidelines and strategies defined by the PNEFP and the Plan of Action on Employment in order to combat unemployment and under-employment, encourage the promotion and creation of sustainable employment in various sectors of the economy and sustain growth through development of human resources. With regard to poverty reduction, the Government indicates that, through the PNEFP, it has established a policy to promote full, productive, decent and freely chosen employment for all, particularly the most vulnerable members of society, such as young people, women, persons with disabilities and older persons. It adds that an intersectoral committee on employment, comprising the administration, employers’ organizations, workers’ unions, NGOs and civil society, will also be set up. The purpose of this committee will be to ensure that employment-related concerns are taken into account in public investments and the various macroeconomic and sectoral policies. As the compilation of data not only allows the examination and evaluation of the results of employment policies, but also in parallel, to follow progress towards full, productive and freely chosen employment, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on all the measures taken in this regard. It also requests the Government to provide information on any developments in the creation and functionality of any of the abovementioned bodies and to indicate the recipients of the employment market information collected by the Observatory of Employment and Vocational Training. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to indicate the measures taken to ensure that employment, as a key element of poverty reduction, is central to macroeconomic and social policies.

Education and training policies. The Government indicates that education and vocational training policies are taken into account in strategic guidelines 2 and 3 of the PNEFP framework document. It adds that, according to the Minister of Labour, a tripartite National Advisory Committee on Employment and Vocational Training, the mandate of which will be to study problems relating to employment and vocational training, will be established to issue opinions and draft proposals and resolutions. The Committee notes that the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, in its concluding observations of 4 May 2018, recommended that the State give priority to education and the rehabilitation of the educational system in its peace and reconciliation initiatives (E/C.12/CAF/CO/1, paragraph 40). The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the abovementioned strategic guidelines. It also recalls its direct request of 2013 on the application of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), and reiterates its request to the Government to provide examples of the measures taken to ensure that the promotion of vocational training is coordinated more fully with the employment prospects available to its beneficiaries. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the results of the measures designed to promote the entry of young persons into the labour market.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of employment policies. The Government indicates that the social partners have actively participated in the formulation and implementation of the PNEFP. It indicates that, with regard to the administration, all the sectoral Ministries have been represented, together with employers’ and workers’ organizations and civil society. The Committee requests the Government to include in its next report detailed, specific information on the manner in which workers’ and employers’ organizations have been consulted in the formulation and implementation of employment policies and programmes. It also requests the Government to indicate whether consultations have been held with representatives of rural workers, workers in the informal economy and other groups of workers affected by the measures taken.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Formulation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes that the Government provided a report in June 2014, despite the very worrying situation experienced in the country since March 2013. It notes the information concerning the National Forum on Decent Work organized in December 2011 with the financial support of development partners. In the emergency plan of the General Directorate of Labour and Social Welfare (DGTPS) for 2013, the Government enumerates fundamental concerns, which include the formulation of the national employment policy paper. The plan also proposes certain strategic objectives in the field of employment, including the reinforcement of tripartism and social dialogue, increased opportunities for decent employment for young women and men and improved employability through the promotion of entrepreneurship. The Government indicates that by 2015 it had the intention to develop an effective employment sector which contributes to growth and poverty reduction through the implementation of a specific strategy for the creation and promotion of new employment opportunities for the poorest population groups and the effective use of the pluralistic system of social security, insurance and assistance. The Committee hopes that the objectives of the Convention will be taken into consideration in the reconstruction of the country and invites the Government to provide information on the progress achieved in the adoption and implementation of a national employment policy.

Collection and use of employment data. The Government indicates that no specific survey has been carried out due to lack of financing. The only data that exist are those of the general population and habitat census of 2003. As the compilation of data not only allows the examination and evaluation of the results of employment policies, but also in parallel to follow progress towards full, productive and freely chosen employment, the Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide information on all progress achieved in this regard. It also requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted to ensure that employment, as a key element of poverty reduction, is central to macroeconomic and social policies (Article 2).

Education and training policies. The Government indicates that one of the measures taken to ensure that the promotion of vocational training is inadequate with employment prospects is the reinforcement of the capacities of institutions responsible for the management of employment policy and vocational training. The Committee refers to its 2013 direct request on the application of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), and invites the Government to provide examples of the measures taken to ensure that the promotion of vocational training is coordinated more fully with the employment prospects available to its beneficiaries. It also requests the Government to provide information on the results of the measures designed to promote the entry of young persons into the labour market.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of employment policies. The Government indicates that the social partners are always consulted through the work of the National Standing Labour Council and the various meetings on conditions of work. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the consultations required in the Convention, which require the participation of all of the persons affected, and particularly the representatives of employers and workers, and of those working in the rural sector and the informal economy, in the formulation and implementation of employment policies.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Formulation of an active employment policy and coordination of employment policy and poverty reduction. The Committee notes the brief replies sent by the Government in its report received in June 2011 to the points raised in the previous direct request. The Government states that it has set up a tripartite committee to organize an employment forum. A national policy on full employment will be framed and adopted following the work of the forum at the end of 2011. The Committee hopes that in its next report the Government will provide more specific information on progress made in the adoption of a national policy for full employment. It again asks the Government in its next report to give an account of the results of the measures implemented under the Poverty Reduction Strategy to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment.

Collection and use of employment data. Considering that data collection serves not only to analyse and assess the results of employment policies but at the same time to monitor progress towards full productive and freely chosen employment, the Committee invites the Government to provide information on all progress made in this area. It asks the Government to indicate in the next report the measures taken to ensure that employment, one of the keys to poverty reduction, is at the core of macroeconomic and social policies (Article 2).

Education and training policies. The Committee refers to its direct request on the application of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) and asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that the promotion of vocational training is better adapted to trainees’ prospects of obtaining employment. It also asks the Government to provide information on the results of the measures taken to encourage the integration of young people in the labour market.

Enterprise development. The Committee again asks the Government to provide information on the measures the National Investment Committee has taken to promote job creation through support to the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of employment policies. The Committee invites the Government to provide detailed information on the consultations referred to in Article 3 of the Convention, which require the participation of all the parties concerned – particularly employers’ and workers’ representatives – in the formulation and implementation of employment policies.

ILO technical assistance. Part V of the report form. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the measures taken to implement an active employment policy as prescribed by the Convention following the ILO technical assistance received.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in September 2009 with a view to the preparation of the General Survey of 2010 on employment instruments. As stated in the General Survey, the implementation of employment policy implies an element of monitoring and review, and a degree of introspection in the implementation of employment policy, so as to assess the effectiveness of the policies pursued, allowing scope for policies to be modified and reoriented so as to achieve the objectives identified by the Convention in accordance with national conditions and practices (General Survey, op. cit., paragraph 34). The Committee invites the Government to refer to the 2010 General Survey and requests it to provide information in its next report on the following points, which were also raised in the direct request of 2008.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Formulation of an active employment policy and coordination of employment policy with poverty reduction. The Government indicates that, at the outcome of the work of a tripartite committee established for organizing a forum on employment, a national policy for full employment was due to be determined and adopted by the end of 2009. The Government also indicates that employment policies extend to the informal economy and that the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) 2008–10 provides for the establishment of support structures for self-employment and income-generating activities. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on progress made with regard to the adoption of a national policy for full employment. It also invites the Government to provide information in its next report on the measures implemented as part of the Poverty Reduction Strategy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment. The preparation of the next report should provide an opportunity for the Government and the social partners to evaluate the extent to which the goal of full and productive employment laid down by the Convention has been achieved. The Committee therefore hopes that the Government will supply detailed information in its next report on the measures taken to ensure that employment, as a key component of poverty reduction, is at the heart of macroeconomic and social policies.

Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. The Government previously indicated that the only data available where those of the general population and housing census of 2003 (RGPH) and that no specific inquiry had been conducted for lack of funding. Emphasizing the importance of a system for the collection of data relating to the labour market in order to be able to decide on and regularly review the measures taken, the Committee requests the Government to supply information on all progress made in this sphere.

Education and vocational training policies. The Government indicates that the various institutions responsible for vocational training, including retraining or further training, are encountering problems of lack of coordination which are having a considerable impact on matching supply to demand for skills and on improving the quality and relevance of training. The Government also indicates that measures relating to vocational training, including retraining and further training, aimed at creating job opportunities are inappropriate owing to the lack of current and reliable data on the labour market. It indicates that there are plans to establish a mechanism aimed at the provision of up-to-date information on the demand for skills in the labour market. The Committee note an interim report on the implementation of the PRSP, drawn up in May 2009 (report No. 48514-CR), according to which the Central African Agency for Vocational Training Employment (ACFPE) has submitted three projects relating to apprenticeship for vocational training and youth employment. The Committee refers to its direct request on the application of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), and requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken to ensure that the promotion of vocational training is better matched to the job prospects open to its beneficiaries. It also requests the Government to supply information on the results achieved by measures aimed at promoting the placement of young persons in the job market.

Enterprise development. The Government indicates that a national investment committee, which has just been set up, is responsible for implementing government policy and programme in the area of services for SMEs and for promoting and enterprise culture. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken within the National Investment Committee aimed at promoting job creation through support for the development of SMEs. In this respect the Government may wish to consult the provisions of the Job Creation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Recommendation, 1998 (No. 189), and also the relevant chapter in the 2010 General Survey.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of policies. The Government indicates that a tripartite committee has been established with a view to organizing an employment forum. It also indicates that the social partners within the Standing National Labour Council will be consulted once the Government take the initiative to formulate and apply employment measures. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the consultations referred to in Article 3 of the Convention, which require the participation of all the parties concerned – particularly employers’ and workers’ representatives – in the formulation and implementation of employment policies.

Part V of the report form. ILO technical assistance. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the actions taken to implement an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention, further to the technical assistance received from the ILO.

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

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Coordination of employment policy with poverty reduction. The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention received in June 2008. The Government indicates that the Ministry of Labour has been unable to implement an employment policy and that there has been no follow-up to its projects for lack of financing. The Committee notes that the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) 2008–10 adopted in September 2007 indicates that the rate of employment for the whole population is 41.2 per cent. The urban rate (32 per cent) is lower than the rural rate (47 per cent). The rate of unemployment, which affects women in particular, is 10.3 per cent for the whole country. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to indicate in its next report the results achieved by the measures implemented under the poverty reduction strategy in order to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Committee hopes that the preparation of the next report will enable the Government and the social partners to evaluate the manner in which the objective of full productive employment established by the Convention is to be achieved. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the measures taken to ensure that employment, as a key element in poverty reduction, is at the focus of macroeconomic and social policies.

2. Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. The Government indicates that the only data currently available are those of the general population and the housing census of 2003. No specific inquiry has been conducted for lack of funding. The Committee emphasizes the importance of establishing a system for the collection of data relating to the labour market in order to be able to decide on and regularly review the measures to be adopted for attaining the objectives of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this field.

3. Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and application of policies. According to the Government’s report, an employment forum is being set up in the Central African Republic with the collaboration of the UNDP. The Government is currently seeking a source of funding for the work relating to the validation of the forum. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the consultations referred to in Article 3 of the Convention, which require the participation of all the parties concerned – particularly employers’ and workers’ representatives – in the formulation and implementation of employment policies.

4. Part V of the report form. ILO technical assistance. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the actions taken to implement an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention, further to the technical assistance received from the ILO.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Coordination of employment policy with poverty reduction. The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention received in June 2008. The Government indicates that the Ministry of Labour has been unable to implement an employment policy and that there has been no follow-up to its projects for lack of financing. The Committee notes that the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) 2008–10 adopted in September 2007 indicates that the rate of employment for the whole population is 41.2 per cent. The urban rate (32 per cent) is lower than the rural rate (47 per cent). The rate of unemployment, which affects women in particular, is 10.3 per cent for the whole country. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to indicate in its next report the results achieved by the measures implemented under the poverty reduction strategy in order to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment. The Committee hopes that the preparation of the next report will enable the Government and the social partners to evaluate the manner in which the objective of full productive employment established by the Convention is to be achieved. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the measures taken to ensure that employment, as a key element in poverty reduction, is at the focus of macroeconomic and social policies.

2. Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. The Government indicates that the only data currently available are those of the general population and the housing census of 2003. No specific inquiry has been conducted for lack of funding. The Committee emphasizes the importance of establishing a system for the collection of data relating to the labour market in order to be able to decide on and regularly review the measures to be adopted for attaining the objectives of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this field.

3. Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and application of policies. According to the Government’s report, an employment forum is being set up in the Central African Republic with the collaboration of the UNDP. The Government is currently seeking a source of funding for the work relating to the validation of the forum. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the consultations referred to in Article 3 of the Convention, which require the participation of all the parties concerned – particularly employers’ and workers’ representatives – in the formulation and implementation of employment policies.

4. Part V of the report form. ILO technical assistance. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the actions taken to implement an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention, further to the technical assistance received from the ILO.