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

Social Policy (Basic Aims and Standards) Convention, 1962 (No. 117) - Sudan (Ratification: 1970)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. In its 2014 direct request, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the manner in which the implementation of the poverty reduction strategy has contributed to pursuit of the objectives of the Convention, as well as to provide statistics on the improvement of standards of living, particularly in respect of housing, clothing, medical care and education (Article 5 of the Convention). The Government reports that the Ministry of Security and Social Development, through the Commission of Social Security and Poverty Reduction, began its work on poverty reduction in 2016, in coordination with other relevant ministries, the social partners, civil society organizations and donors. Its objective is to achieve social safety to help families trapped in the poverty cycle, focusing on their ability to earn a living, access to water, school, nutrition and community awareness. The Government indicates that a number of schools were established in the capital and in the provinces (wilyaat) and school meals were provided free of charge to numerous students. It adds that a number of new housing complexes were built for poor families, orphans and widows, in addition to new homes for old-age pensioners. With regard to health, the Government indicates that the Al Zakat Diwan Foundation contributes to access to treatment for poor families, students and orphans, paying their health insurance and social security contributions. The Committee notes that, according to the 2018 report of the International Policy Centre for inclusive growth Zakat resources fund about 87 per cent of the Government social safety net interventions in Sudan. In addition, a direct monthly monetary payment is made directly to poor families in certain wilyaat to ensure them a better living. The Government also reports that many wells have been dug in different wilyaat to reduce thirst and provide stability to travellers. The Social Security and Poverty Reduction Commission and the Family Bank have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to establish business incubators aimed at reducing poverty. The Government also reports that the Family Bank and the Savings Bank have provided financing for small projects for the benefit of poor families, students and graduates, while the African Development Bank has financed several agricultural and livestock projects for small farmers and herders. About 77,987 graduates were trained and the Graduate Support Fund has funded projects for 12,117 graduates. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide detailed, updated information indicating how the implementation of the poverty reduction strategy has contributed to attaining the objectives of the Convention. It also requests the Government to include updated statistics in its next report on the improvement of standards of living, in particular with regard to housing, clothing, medical care and education (Article 5 of the Convention). The Committee requests the Government to provide more detailed information on the structure, functioning and impact of the Al-Zakat Diwan Foundation.

Article 12. Remuneration of workers. The Government reports that the new Labour Code has not yet been authorized, but that it will contain the provisions of Article 12 of the Convention. The Committee expresses the firm hope that the Government will take the necessary steps without delay to bring the new provisions of the Labour Code into conformity with the provisions of Article 12. The Committee once again requests the Government to indicate any progress made through collective agreements, court decisions or administrative decisions to give full effect to Article 12(2) and (3).