Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 1995, publiée 82ème session CIT (1995)

Convention (n° 2) sur le chômage, 1919 - Afrique du Sud (Ratification: 1924)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report received in December 1993, as well as the recent political, social and economic developments in South Africa reflected in the Governing Body document GB.261/LILS/9/7 "Developments in South Africa and implementation of the ILO plan of action in South Africa" adopted by its 261st Session in November 1994. It notes, in particular, from the Government's report that Black Administration (Development) Boards were disbanded and the placement services were incorporated with those of the Department of Manpower which renders placement service free of charge throughout the country to all workseekers of all population groups, and residential rights no longer restrict workseekers from having access to such services.

Article 1 of the Convention. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes from the Government's report that the Central Statistical Service made arrangements to undertake a survey, once every year in October, to compile statistics concerning unemployment for the whole of the national territory. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to communicate such statistics with its next report, as well as any other information concerning unemployment and measures taken or contemplated to combat it, and that such information will cover the whole of the national territory.

Article 2, paragraph 1. The Government states in its report that there are no advisory employment boards in the country. The Committee recalls in this regard that this Article of the Convention provides for the establishment of committees which shall include representatives of employers and workers to advise on matters concerning the carrying on of free public employment agencies. It hopes that the Government will take appropriate measures to establish such committees, in conformity with this Article, and asks the Government to supply information on any progress made in this connection. The Government is requested to indicate, in particular, how such committees are constituted and appointed and what method is adopted for the choice of the employers' and workers' representatives, as required by the report form.

Article 2, paragraph 2. The Committee notes the Government's statement to the effect that no steps have been taken to coordinate the operations of private employment agencies with those of the placement services of the Department of Manpower. The Committee would like to draw the Government's attention to the provision of this Article, which reads as follows: "Where both public and private free employment agencies exist, steps shall be taken to coordinate the operations of such agencies on a national scale". The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate, in its next report, whether free private employment agencies exist, and if so, what steps are taken or envisaged to coordinate their operations with those of the public placement services, as required by this Article.