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

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

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.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Parts I and II of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2013 containing detailed information in response to its previous direct request. The Committee notes that in 2011 the Economic and Social Policy Document (DPES) was drawn up and approved as a reference framework for actions by the State and development partners for the period 2011–15. This document was then revised and updated following a participatory process to become the National Economic and Social Development Strategy (SNDES) for the period 2013–17. The strategy is based on three main areas: growth, productivity and wealth creation; human capital, social protection and sustainable development; and governance, institutions, peace and security. The Government also states that a general delegation for social security and national solidarity was set up in 2012 with the aim of implementing and coordinating public policies in that area. The Committee notes with interest that, as a result of an increase in expenditure and the rate of investment in education, the gross enrolment rate at primary level stood at 79.7 per cent in 2011, up from 75.8 per cent in 2005, and that the completion rate of primary level rose from 49 per cent in 2006 to 66.9 per cent in 2011. Regarding medical care, much progress has been made including a fall in proportional morbidity for malaria from 39.7 per cent in 2000 to 3 per cent in 2009 and an increase in the number of operational mutual health schemes from 80 in 2003 to 237 in 2011. In respect of housing, in 2010, service development work was carried out on 3,677 housing plots, and sanitation was also carried out on 1,249 housing plots. In addition, in the framework of the emergency plan against flooding, construction began of 2,000 houses and a new site for the victims was inaugurated in 2013. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information on the results of the application of the SNDES in terms of the improvement of living standards of the population. The Committee also invites the Government to indicate the way in which the implementation of the strategy has made it possible to pursue the objectives of the Convention, which in Articles 1 and 2 provides that “all policies shall be primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population”. It also invites the Government to include statistical data on the improvement of standards of living, especially with regard to housing, clothing, medical care and education (Article 5 of the Convention).

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

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in March 2010, in reply to the direct request of 2008. The Government indicates that in July 2009 the progress of the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (GPRSP) 2006–10 was reviewed, the four strategic components were evaluated and performances were rated. As regards the matters raised by the National Confederation of Workers of Senegal (CNTS), the Government states that the Ministry of Family Affairs has competence for taking the measures required to prevent the disruption of family life and ensure the economic and social promotion of families. As regards the rural exodus, the Government indicates that two programmes have been established to develop rural areas through agriculture, namely the REVA plan (return to agriculture) and the GOANA plan (major agricultural offensive for food and abundance). As regards migration policy, the Government indicates that programmes have been implemented by the ministries concerned in collaboration with development stakeholders and that the drawing up of a national migration policy is under examination and its implementation will be assigned to a ministerial department working in collaboration with all the ministries concerned. The Committee requests the Government to include up-to-date information in its next report on the matters raised by the CNTS and also indicate how the implementation of the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper has enabled the objectives of the Convention to be pursued, specifically Articles 1 and 2 thereof, which state that “all policies shall be primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population”. It also requests the Government to include statistical data on the improvement of standards of living, especially with regard to housing, clothing, medical care and education (Article 5 of the Convention).

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:

Parts I and II of the Convention. Article 2. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in August 2008, which briefly enumerates the four fundamental pillars of the poverty reduction strategy for the period 2006–10: the creation of wealth, access to basic social services, social protection and the prevention and management of risks and catastrophes, governance and decentralized and participatory development. It hopes that the Government will provide in its next report updated information illustrating the manner in which the objective that “all policies shall be primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population” is implemented and has resulted in an improvement in the well-being and development of the population.

The Committee also notes the issues raised by the National Confederation of Workers of Senegal (CNTS), forwarded to the Government in September 2008, concerning the implementation of the Convention and the measures to be taken to prevent the dislocation of family life, the rural exodus and in respect of the migration policy. It invites the Government to submit a report in 2009 containing its own comments on the issues raised by the CNTS.

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

Parts I and II of the Convention. Article 2. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in August 2008, which briefly enumerates the four fundamental pillars of the poverty reduction strategy for the period 2006–10: the creation of wealth, access to basic social services, social protection and the prevention and management of risks and catastrophes, governance and decentralized and participatory development. It hopes that the Government will provide in its next report updated information illustrating the manner in which the objective that “all policies shall be primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population” is implemented and has resulted in an improvement in the well-being and development of the population.

The Committee also notes the issues raised by the National Confederation of Workers of Senegal (CNTS), forwarded to the Government in September 2008, concerning the implementation of the Convention and the measures to be taken to prevent the dislocation of family life, the rural exodus and in respect of the migration policy. It invites the Government to submit a report in 2009 containing its own comments on the issues raised by the CNTS.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2009.]

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2003. It asks the Government to supply in its next report detailed information on the manner in which the provisions of the Convention stipulating that "all policies ... primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population" have been taken into account in preparing and carrying out the measures taken under its economic programmes and poverty reduction strategy (Article 2 of the Convention).