Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Burkina Faso (Ratification: 2009)

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

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Collection and use of employment data. The Government indicates that the National Employment Policy (PNE) has become an integral part of the National Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDES), which includes 14 planning sectors, including a “labour, employment and social protection” planning sector. Each sector is required to develop a sectoral policy. A sectoral policy on labour, employment and social protection was developed for this purpose and adopted on 18 April 2018. The Government adds that, in planning, the different areas of the sectoral policy may be addressed under separate national strategies, which offers an opportunity to develop a national strategy that better addresses specific challenges related to employment. The Government adds that the Office was approached to support the department responsible for employment in this process. The Committee notes that the national employment strategy and guidance on the integration of employment in public policies was approved in 2021. With regard to the different sectoral policies developed in the context of the implementation of the PNDES, the Government indicates their contribution to employment promotion has not yet been assessed. It adds, however, that employment is a cross-cutting topic that is taken into account in different sectoral policies. With regard to the National Employment Agency (ANPE), the Government indicates that reform of the ANPE is ongoing, and an impact assessment of its activities has not yet been carried out. Concerning information on the labour market, the Committee notes with interest that an integrated regional survey on employment and the informal economy (ERI-ESI) was carried out by the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INSD) during the period from 2017 to 2018 and that the corresponding report was published in 2019. It further notes that, according to the survey, the average unemployment rate was 4.8 per cent for men and 4.6 per cent for women during this period. The rate was 9.5 per cent in Ouagadougou, as against 3.3 per cent in rural areas. Young people are the most affected by unemployment (6.6 per cent). Unemployment among young people is more prevalent in urban areas (13.7 per cent) than in rural areas (4.4 per cent). Furthermore, the overall time-related underemployment rate is 19.2 per cent. Underemployment is more prevalent among women (22 per cent) than among men (16.9 per cent). Moreover, labour underutilization is more prevalent among women (41.9 per cent) than among young people (40.7 per cent) and men (29.6 per cent). The Government also indicates that more than two thirds of jobs in the country are vulnerable (72.5 per cent). This situation affects women (84 per cent) more severely than men (63 per cent). The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed and updated information on the impact of the implementation of the “labour, employment and social protection” sectoral policies developed in the context of the implementation of the PNDES. It also requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the labour market, including updated statistical data, disaggregated by sex and age, on the employment rate, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate. Furthermore, it requests the Government to provide information on the progress achieved in the context of the reform of the ANPE.

Youth employment. The Government indicates that a number of initiatives have been developed in connection aimed at supporting for the integration of young people into the labour market, including the Socio-professional Integration Programme for Young People (PISJ), the Support Programme for the Socio-professional Integration of Young Graduates of Higher Education (PAISJD), the Programme for the Economic Empowerment of Young People and Women (PAE/JF), the Support Programme for Youth Employment and Skills Development in Rural Areas (PADEJ/MR), the Women, Young Entrepreneurs and Citizenship Project (PROFEJEC) and the Special Job Creation Programme for Young People and Women (PSCE/JF). The Government adds that assessment studies have not been conducted for all programmes currently being implemented. The Committee notes that the implementation of the PSCE/JF was the subject of a study which indicates that, from 2016 to 2018, the programme led to the creation of 10,835 direct jobs and 4,823 indirect jobs. With regard to training programmes, the Government indicates that reference materials on the content of training programmes have been developed and approved. It adds that according to the public vocational training centres’ back-to-school report, 4,418 young people, including 1,085 girls (24.56 per cent) participated in training courses during the period 2019–2020. The Committee notes that, according to the study conducted by the National Employment and Vocational Training Observatory (ONEF), in 2017, on the integration of the target group leaving professional training centres with professional qualifications, only 39 per cent of participants managed to find employment during the period 2010–2015. With regard to internships, the Government indicates that, from 2016 to 2018, under the PSCE/JF, 2,259 young people were placed in work experience programmes (51 per cent girls) and 507 young people took part in pre-employment courses (55 per cent girls). It also indicates that, under the PAISJD, 3,000 young graduates and 1,210 jobseekers were placed in traineeships by the ANPE. The Government adds that, at the General Directorate for Professional Integration and Employment (DGIPE) level, 252 young people were placed on pre-employment courses, including 31 trained in mining and construction (buildings and public works) (BTP) trades. The Committee notes that the impact assessment of these internships was carried out only by the PSCE/JF, which indicates that 11.3 per cent of young people placed in work experience programmes and 32.1 per cent of those placed on pre-employment courses managed to find jobs. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated information, disaggregated by sex and age, on the impact of the programmes adopted for the integration of young persons into the labour market. It also requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the content of training programmes and to provide statistical data, disaggregated by sex and age, on the number of young people who have participated in training courses and internships, and the impact of these measures on youth employment.

Employment of women. The Committee notes the establishment of specific programmes to increase income and promote decent employment for women and young people, including in particular the PAE/JF. The Committee also notes that the PAE/JF financed 13,329 women’s micro-projects during the period 2016–2019, equivalent to 62.94 per cent of projects financed by the programme during this period. The Government indicates that, according to the programme impact assessment of the PAE/JF, almost 67 per cent of beneficiaries state that their income is above the minimum wage (30,684 West African CFA francs) as a result of the support received. The Government further indicates that under the PSCE/JF, 47 economic units for processing agri-food products were established for the benefit of young people and women in the 45 provinces. In addition, 500 women’s groups received entrepreneurship training and were provided with working capital, 800 women received training in vegetable farming and animal fattening and were provided with start-up kits, and 300 women received training in agri-food processing and were provided with start-up kits. The Committee notes that, according to the final programme evaluation study of the PSCE/JF, 75.2 per cent of beneficiaries considered that the support given had improved their living conditions. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed and updated information on the nature and scope of programmes established to promote the lasting integration of women into the labour market and their impact.

Overall and sectoral development policies. The Government indicates that the consultations held in the context of the regional employment strategies (SREs) highlighted the need to update these strategies in order to take current employment challenges into account. Regional technical committees were established for this purpose, and SRE documents were reviewed and adopted by regional councils in four regions, namely, Boucle du Mouhoun, Nord, Est and Centre-Est. The Committee notes that the consultations with regional actors have yielded new approaches to the implementation of SREs, including through a management unit housed within the regional directorate responsible for employment and led by the regional Council in order to facilitate the mobilization of resources through decentralized government structures. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed and updated information on the nature, scope and impact of the activities of the regional councils, including in connection with the updating and implementation of regional employment strategies (SREs).

Informal economy. With regard to the integrated regional survey on employment and the informal economy (ERI-ESI 2018) and the organization of the third National Forum on the Informal Economy, from 18 to 24 July 2019, the Committee notes that the initiative for the promotion of social dialogue brought together more than 1,000 participants from the 45 provinces of Burkina Faso, with the participation of the ILO. It also notes that, on 8 December 2019, the Government, through the constituent general assembly, supported the establishment by actors in the informal economy of an umbrella organization for industrial organizations in the informal economy, namely, the National Council for the Informal Economy. With regard to employment policies, the Committee notes the adoption of the Integrated National Strategy for the Transition to the Formal Economy and the related operational action plan, which were adopted in June 2021 with ILO technical and financial assistance. The Government indicates, however, that with the advent of the pandemic, activities were suspended and a diagnostic study on the impact of COVID-19 on actors in the informal economy was carried out. The Committee further notes that training sessions were organized in the context of the “Informal Economy Grand Prix” competition on business organization and management, occupational safety and health and social protection for workers in order to raise public awareness, including of the benefits of formalization. With regard to financing for actors in the informal economy, the Government indicates that the Informal Sector Support Fund (FASI), funded a total of 2,225 projects in 2019, benefiting 1,108 men and 1,117 women, at a cost of 1,021,250,000 CFA. The Committee notes that during the period 2016–2019, 8,609 micro-projects were funded, in the amount of 3,795,095,000. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information, including updated statistical data, disaggregated by sex and age, on the implementation and impact of the Integrated National Strategy for the Transition to the Formal Economy and the related operational action plan, including in terms of creating productive jobs and of the transition of workers from the informal to the formal economy. The Government is also requested to provide information on the development of cooperatives in the country.

Education and training policies. The Government indicates that, since 2016, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) has been promoted through the implementation of the Sectoral Education and Training Plan (PSEF 2017–2030). The major objectives of this plan are to improve the quality of and access to the TVET in close alignment with the needs of the economy, and to upgrade the level of training among the working age population by training teaching staff and developing infrastructure. The Committee notes the implementation of vocational training programmes and the results achieved over the past four years, including the construction of four vocational lycées, one technical lycée and six non-formal basic education centres, in addition to the training and recruitment of 39 new supervisory staff and 1,761 new TVET teachers. It further notes the establishment of the National Employment and Vocational Training Council (CNEFP), which is the steering and consultation body for the implementation of the National Technical and Vocational Teaching and Training Policy and of the National Employment Policy (PNE). The Committee requests the Government to continue providing updated information on the impact of the Sectoral Education and Training Plan (PSEF 2017–2030), including in terms of the lasting integration into the labour market of the most disadvantaged categories of workers. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on coordination between educational and vocational training policy and employment policy, and, more specifically, on the alignment of the vocational training on offer with current and future labour market demands and needs.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the preparation and implementation of policies. The Government reports on consultations held in the Standing Technical Committee of the CNEFP between government actors and the social partners on matters relating to employment and vocational training. It indicates that these consultations brought together government actors, technical and financial partners and the social partners. The Committee notes that the Government, with a view to promoting social dialogue, organized the third National Forum on the Informal Economy from 18 to 24 July 2019, which brought together more than 1,000 participants from the 45 provinces of Burkina Faso, with the participation of the ILO. The Government also reports on the meeting of the constituent general assembly of the National Council for the Informal Economy, which, on 8 December 2019, brought together more than 400 participants from the 45 provinces of Burkina Faso, as well as on the establishment of regional councils for the informal economy (CREIs) in the 13 regions. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing updated information on the consultations held with the social partners, including through the CREIs. Furthermore, it requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure inclusive consultations with representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations, as well as with the representatives of workers concerned by the measures to be taken, including workers in rural areas and the informal economy, with a view to securing their cooperation in the formulation and implementation of employment policy programmes and measures, as required under Article 3 of the Convention.

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

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Collection and use of employment data. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information so that it could examine the extent to which the employment objectives set out in the national employment policy have been or are being attained. In this regard, the Government indicates that the National Employment Policy (PNE) is based on four strategic objectives. The first is the reinforcement of the linkages between the PNE and other national policies (both transversal and sectoral), with a view to the integration of employment into these policies. The Government indicates that significant progress has been made in this respect in the National Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDES) 2016–20, which focuses, among other objectives, on the development of human resources and increasing the dynamism of leading sectors for the economy and employment. It adds that this progress takes the form of the improved consideration of employment in certain sectoral policies, such as those concerning industry, commerce and artisanal enterprises (POSICA) through the PNDES. The second objective of the PNE relates to the reinforcement of employment creation. For this purpose, the Government indicates that financing funds have been reinforced and employment creation projects and programmes implemented. The third objective is the improvement of employability through targeted training, initiation courses for young graduates and skilled workers, training in trades, training in entrepreneurship and enterprise management and the placement of young persons in voluntary work. The Committee notes that this action has been carried out within the framework of the programmes and projects referred to above. The fourth strategic objective of the PNE relates to improving the organization and operation of the labour market. In this context, the Government reiterates its previous comments, with the indication that the restructuring of the National Employment and Vocational Training Observatory (ONEF) has been commenced to improve its capacity through the implementation of a mechanism for the collection of data on employment and skills, and the establishment of a list of enterprises to be used to identify the skills and training needs of their personnel. Furthermore, the National Employment Agency (ANPE) is currently undergoing reform to enable it to perform its function of employment placement effectively. The Government nevertheless reports significant progress in the information system through the preparation of statistical yearbooks, brochures and periodic reports on employment. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the objectives of the PNE have been implemented. However, it adds that a review of the PNE has been commenced with ILO support in view of certain inadequacies related to current challenges relating to employment. With reference to updated labour market data, the Government indicates that the latest data are those of the continuous multisectoral survey (EMC 2014) and the mapping of youth employment undertaken in 2014 with the support of the ILO and the African Development Bank. According to this data, unemployment was 6.6 per cent in 2014, and affected 8.6 per cent of young persons between 15 and 24 years of age. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the outcome of the review of the PNE commenced with ILO support and the impact of the sectoral policies that have been undertaken. It reiterates its request to the Government to provide updated information on the labour market. In this regard, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the reform of the ANPE on the number of persons placed in employment and to provide updated statistical information, disaggregated by sex and age, on employment, unemployment and underemployment rates. Furthermore, it requests the Government to continue indicating the progress achieved in the compilation of employment data and once again requests the Government to specify the employment policy measures adopted as a result of the restructuring of the ONEF.

Youth employment. The Government indicates that several programmes have been adopted to promote the vocational integration of young persons. In 2016, the Informal Sector Support Fund (FASI), the Vocational Training Support Fund (FAPE), the Support Fund for Youth Initiatives (FAIJ) and the National Support Fund for Retrenched and Retired Workers (FONADR) financed 3,008 projects. The Government adds that 4,077 young persons have been trained through the Entrepreneurship Training Programme. The Committee notes that over 3,000 young persons trained in trades were provided with support for the creation of micro-enterprises during the period 2014–16, and 1,099 young persons have been placed in internships for initiation in working life within the framework of the Special Job Creation Programme for Young Persons and Women (PSCE/JF). It adds that 15,950 young persons have been placed in the labour-intensive works programme (THIMO) and 100 young school drop-outs have been trained to drive heavy vehicles in the context of the Youth Socio-Professional Integration Programme (PISJ) and the Youth Employment and Skills Development Project (PEJDC). In this context, 3,519 young persons were recruited in 2016 to teach at the post-primary level and 3,500 are being recruited in 2017. The Government adds that financing has been provided for 500 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the Burkina Economic and Social Development Fund (FBDES). The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information, disaggregated by sex and age, on the impact of the programmes adopted for the integration of young persons into the labour market. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the content of training programmes and to provide statistical information, disaggregated by sex and age, on the number of persons who have participated in training courses and internships, and their impact on youth employment.

Employment of women. The Government indicates that 6 per cent of women are in employment, although 93.8 per cent of employed women are affected by employment vulnerability. The Government adds that 37 per cent of women who have work are very affected by poverty. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the programmes implemented to promote the lasting integration of women into the labour market and their impact.

General and sectoral development policies. In its previous comments, the Committee invited the Government to report the results achieved by the measures adopted to promote regional development. In reply, the Government indicates that 13 regional employment strategies (RES), accompanied by plans of action, have been prepared and approved. However, the Government refers to inadequacies in their implementation arising out of the inadequacy of the resources transferred for their implementation, difficulties encountered by regional actors in mobilizing funds and the instability of regional councils since 2014, followed by their dissolution in 2015. The Government plans to hold meetings with the various regional councils with a view to finding solutions. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of the outcome of the consultations held with the regional councils. In this regard, it requests the Government to indicate the measures planned or adopted to remedy the shortcomings in the implementation of the regional employment strategies and their plans of action.

Informal economy. The Committee notes the Government’s indications that formal employment only accounts for 6.6 per cent of total employment. The Government reports training sessions and the provision of financial support to micro- and small enterprises for those engaged in the informal economy. It adds that the training was provided within the context of the Informal Sector Grand Prix and that it covered enterprise organization and management, occupational safety and health, and the social projection of informal economy workers. The Government specifies that, between 2011 and 2015, a total of 844 informal economy actors benefited from training. During that period, the FASI also financed 7,564 projects, which created 1,942 jobs and consolidated 18,277 jobs. The Burkina Economic and Social Development Fund (FBDES) also contributed to the financing of social measures and the SME Financing and Promotion Agency through the PSCE/JF in the context of financing for informal economy actors. The Government indicates that the data from the national employment and informal economy survey undertaken in 2015 is not yet available. The Committee requests the Government to provide data from the national employment and informal economy survey carried out in 2015. It also requests it to provide detailed information, including statistics, disaggregated by sex and age, on the impact of the measures taken to assist informal economy actors, and particularly women, older workers and persons with disabilities, in terms of the creation of productive jobs and to facilitate their transition from the informal to the formal economy, taking into account the guidance contained in the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy Recommendation, 2015 (No. 204).

Education and training policies. The Government indicates that the employability of labour is low in Burkina Faso. According to the 2014 data from the continuous multisectoral survey (EMC), 75.2 per cent of active persons have no educational level, 12.8 per cent have the primary level, 10 per cent have the secondary level and 2 per cent the higher level. In this context, 54 per cent of young men between the ages of 16 and 35 years have no educational level, compared with 71 per cent of young women. The Government indicates that only 4.9 per cent of these young persons have received technical of vocational training. It adds that the training profiles of the labour force are not matched to skill needs, particularly in the agricultural sector, in which only 0.2 per cent of the workforce has received training in agricultural, forestry and stock-raising trades. The Government reports a vulnerable employment rate of 89.7 per cent for the whole of the active labour force. However, it indicates that employed women are the most affected, with a percentage of 93.8 per cent, compared with 84.9 per cent for employed men and 89.2 per cent for employed young persons. The Government adds that women and young persons account for 4.3 and 5.9 per cent, respectively, of the formal economy, and that 36 per cent of workers in the country live below the poverty threshold. In this context, the Government recognizes that efforts are still required in relation to the employability of the labour force with a view to improving the quality of employment. The Committee refers to its 2014 direct request on the application of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), in which it requested the Government to provide information on the implementation of programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training, closely linked to employment needs, and it requests the Government to continue providing information on the impact of the education and training policies implemented in terms of the lasting integration of the most vulnerable categories of workers in the labour market, and particularly women and young persons. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted or envisaged to ensure coordination between education and vocational training policy and labour market opportunities.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the preparation and implementation of policies. The Government indicates that, within the framework of the National Employment and Vocational Training Council (CNEFP), consultations have been held with the social partners. They essentially covered the issue of the review of the PNE and the restructuring of the CNEFP. The Government adds that it was decided with the social partners to commence the review process in order to take into account the current requirements and challenges in relation to employment. With regard to the restructuring of the CNEFP, consultations were held in the Standing Technical Committee, which called for the establishment of a technical committee including the social partners. The Government reports the consultations held on various issues, such as the approval of thematic employment studies and the views expressed on specific action to promote employment and vocational training. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing updated information on the consultations held with the social partners in the context of the CNEFP. It reiterates its request to the Government to provide information on the consultations held with the representatives of workers in rural areas and the informal economy with a view to securing their collaboration in the development and implementation of employment policy programmes and measures. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any developments in relation to the establishment of the technical committee including the social partners, as well as examples of the consultations held on various issues.

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

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Collection and use of employment data. In reply to the previous comments, the Government indicates in its report received in September 2014 that certain difficulties encountered in implementing the National Employment Policy (PNE) have been overcome. The Committee also notes that a national employment meeting was held in December 2013, which led to a comprehensive assessment of the constraints associated with promoting employment and the proposal of the necessary policy changes. The implementation of the PNE’s action plan was also assessed. The Committee notes with interest the measures taken to revitalize job creation, particularly the establishment of one stop shops in the regional capitals aimed at bringing together the funding structures of the Ministry of Youth, Vocational Training and Employment (MJFPE), the Youth Training Programme (PFJ), the Special Job Creation Programme for Young Persons and Women (PSCE/JF), the Programme for the Socio-vocational Integration of Young Graduates, and the Programme to Improve Income and Promote Decent Work for Young Persons and Women with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Government indicates that it has restructured the National Employment and Vocational Training Observatory (ONEF). Moreover, the Youth Employment and Skills Development Project (PEDJC) provides for building ONEF’s capacities through the implementation of a system to collect data on employment and skills, the creation of a list of companies to identify skills and staff training needs. The Committee notes that the data provided by the Government on the labour market date back to 2006; it recalls that a labour market data collection system is key to determining the measures to be adopted with a view to attaining the objectives of the Convention and to regularly reviewing the measures taken. The Committee invites the Government to provide information so that it can examine to what extent the employment objectives specified in the national employment policy have been or are being attained. It also invites the Government to provide updated information on the labour market and to indicate the progress made in the collection of employment data, indicating the employment policy measures taken following the restructuring of ONEF.

Youth employment. The Government indicates that, with a view to improving employability, several initiatives for young persons have been launched, including the Youth Occupational Skills Programme; the strengthening of the Vocational Training and Apprenticeship Support Fund (FAFPA); the recognition of trade skills through skills certification; and the building and equipment of two vocational training centres. The Committee notes the results achieved by the various programmes. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing updated information on the impact of the programmes adopted for the integration of young persons into the labour market.

Overall and sectoral development policies. The Committee notes the forthcoming implementation of the Youth Employment and Skills Development Project to contribute to the Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Sustainable Development (SCADD) with the financial support of the World Bank. The Committee notes that the country is in a process of decentralization with a view to improving the participation of local stakeholders in economic, social and political development. In order to do this, Regional Employment Promotion Strategies (SREs) combined with Regional Employment Promotion Action Plans (PAREs), which are based upon the regional characteristics, have been developed in every region of the country. Their implementation is scheduled for 2014–16. The Committee invites the Government to report the results achieved by the measures that have been taken to achieve balanced regional development.

Informal economy. The Government indicates that during the period 2011–13, the Informal Sector Support Fund (FASI) funded 4,252 projects, which led to the creation of 1,103 jobs. Moreover, a capacity-building programme for those working in the informal sector has been established since 2008 in 13 regions of the country. The Committee also notes that the social measures adopted at an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers in March 2014 include the provision of funds to finance micro-projects. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken in terms of creating productive employment for those working in the informal economy.

Education and training policies. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on young persons who have completed vocational and technical training. The Committee refers to its direct request concerning the application of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), and invites the Government to indicate in its next report on Convention No. 122 the impact of the education and training policies implemented to help beneficiaries, particularly women and young persons, find lasting employment.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the preparation and implementation of policies. The Government refers to the recommendation made by the National Employment and Vocational Training Council (CNEFP) regarding the organization of a national employment meeting to allow all those concerned to propose solutions with a view to revitalizing employment promotion in Burkina Faso. The meeting was held in Ouagadougou in December 2013. The Government recalls that the national employment policy itself provides for the development of regional employment strategies and action plans that take into account the concerns of the rural sector. The Government emphasizes that prior to the Regional Employment Promotion Strategies and the Regional Employment Promotion Action Plans, capacity-building sessions were held for local stakeholders regarding the methodology for developing regional employment strategies and action plans. The Committee invites the Government to provide updated information on the consultations held with the social partners in the CNEFP and with the representatives of workers in rural areas and the informal economy with a view to securing their collaboration in the development and implementation of employment policy programmes and measures.

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

Article 1 of the Convention. Pursuit of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention received in August 2012. The Government indicates in its report that the foundations of the national employment policy (PNE) adopted by Decree No. 2008-271/PRES/PM/MJE of 15 May 2008 are to be found in the poverty reduction strategy, the political programme of the President of Burkina Faso entitled “Ongoing progress for a society of hope”, the declaration of the African Union summit on employment and poverty alleviation, the Millennium Development Goals and the objectives of the ILO. With regard to the Government’s indication that an operational action plan (PAO) covering the 2008–11 period was formulated to support the political vision, the Committee notes that, since the implementation of the plan was delayed, its duration was extended for one year. The Committee further notes that the “Strategy for accelerated growth and sustained development 2011–15” (SCADD) refers to studies concerned with trials for centres of competitiveness and discussions regarding the possibility of establishing special economic zones, with a view to attracting investors and supporting exports; both of these initiatives are in progress. The Committee invites the Government to indicate in its next report whether the difficulties encountered in the implementation of the PNE have been overcome. The Committee also invites the Government to include information enabling an evaluation of the extent to which the employment objectives defined in the PNE and the SCADD have been, or are being, attained. The Government is also invited to indicate the measures that have been adopted with a view to making work as productive as possible.

Youth employment. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government regarding unemployment (an estimated 2.9 per cent for men and 1.7 per cent for women). In urban areas, 14.4 per cent of young people in the 15–24 age group and 9.6 per cent in the 25–29 age group are without jobs. The Government reports on the adoption of a special job creation programme for young persons and women (PSCE/JF) covering the 2012–14 period. The Committee also notes initiatives aimed at improving employability, such as the national youth policy (PNJ), the occupational training programme (PFM) for 50,000 young persons, the entrepreneurship training programme (PFE) for 25,000 young persons and the vocational training and apprenticeship support fund. The Committee invites the Government to include information in its next report on the impact of programmes adopted to ensure the integration of young persons in the labour market.

General and sectoral development policies. The Committee invites the Government to supply information in its next report on the measures taken to promote the employment market and on the impact of general and sectoral development policies contributing to the promotion of full, productive and freely chosen employment. It also requests the Government to indicate whether regional development measures have been implemented to ensure a balanced distribution of economic activity in the country.

Informal economy. In its report the Government refers to the establishment of the informal sector support fund (FASI) in the context of financing support measures for the creation of micro- and small enterprises. The PNE highlights the scale of informal work and the lack of dynamism in modern structured activities, estimating that 70 per cent of the non-agricultural workforce is employed in the informal sector. Women represent more than half the workforce. Most of the urban population is involved in the informal economy and accounts for 25 per cent of jobs in rural areas. SCADD plans to strengthen the technical and management capacities of the informal sector through the adaptation of training to these needs. The Committee invites the Government to include information in its next report on the measures in which the PNE and SCADD have proved effective in terms of the creation of productive employment for workers in the informal economy.

Education and training policies. The Government indicates in its report its intention to improve access to vocational training for young people. The Government observes the minor role played by organized placement, even in the informal economy, apart from the process of recruitment in the public service. The Committee refers to its direct request concerning the application of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), and invites the Government to continue to provide information in its report on Convention No. 122 on the training and education programmes in progress and to state the results achieved regarding the insertion of beneficiaries, especially women and young people, in sustainable employment.

Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. The Committee notes that, in order to resolve the issues arising from deficiencies in the national statistical apparatus, especially for employment and training, the Government has established the National Employment and Vocational Training Observatory (ONEF). The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the activities of ONEF aimed at tackling existing employment data issues. The Committee also invites the Government to supply up-to-date information on the labour market in its next report.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of policies. The Government indicates in its report that the PNE is the result of extensive consultations involving all development players. Moreover, the consultations with the different partners are largely conducted within the National Employment and Vocational Training Council (CNEFP), a body chaired by the Prime Minister which brings together the social partners, civil society organizations, the public administration and technical and financial partners. The Committee invites the Government to include information in its next report on the consultations on employment policy within the CNEFP. The Government is also requested to indicate the manner in which account is taken of the opinions of representatives of other sectors of the economically active population, such as workers in the rural sector and the informal economy, with a view to securing their full cooperation in formulating and enlisting support for measures taken in this area.

Part V of the report form. ILO technical assistance. The Government indicates in its report that Burkina Faso has been the beneficiary of a project entitled “Support for employment promotion and poverty reduction” (APERP) and that the latter has enabled a number of initiatives including: a survey of labour and employment market policies; reviews of public expenditure and programme budgets geared to employment; and the formulation of the PNE. Moreover, the Committee notes that the Decent Work Country Programme was recently approved in Burkina Faso. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken further to the ILO assistance received in the areas covered by the Convention.