Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Kenya (Ratification: 1964)

Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention. Contribution of employment services to employment promotion. The Government informs about several initiatives to enhance its employment services. These initiatives include: (i) the establishment of the Labour Market Information System (LMIS); (ii) the implementation of the Strategic Plan (2013–2017); (iii) the foundation in 2016 of the National Employment Authority to supervise the organization and management of the employment services; (iv) the establishment of job centres to offer career advice and guidance; and (v) the establishment of mobile employment units in underprivileged and rural communities. The Government also reports about partnerships with the private sector to improve job placement and employment and refers to the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project and the Enterprise Development Fund with focus on entrepreneurship, skill development and the creation of jobs for young people. The Committee notes an increase in the number of the public employment offices from 16 in 2018 to 25 in 2022 and a significant rise in the number of job applications from 150,000 in 2018 to 270,000 in 2022. The Government also states that in 2022 70,000 positions were notified and 50,000 persons were placed in jobs. The Committee welcome these developments and asks the Government to provide detailed information on the following: (i) any specific measures taken to address the challenge of youth unemployment, including how public employment services target vulnerable groups such as women and rural populations; (ii) steps taken to reduce regional disparities and improve access to employment services in underserved counties and rural areas; (iii) initiatives aimed at bridging skills gaps and aligning workforce skills with current and emerging labour market demands, particularly in digital and new economy sectors; (iv) strengthening of the regulatory and monitoring framework for private recruitment agencies to prevent fraud, ensure ethical recruitment practices, and protect both domestic and international jobseekers; (v) measures to secure adequate resource and capacity of public employment services, including staffing, funding, and interinstitutional coordination; and (vi) recent data and evaluations on the impact and effectiveness of public employment services and youth employment programmes, including any independent assessments conducted.

In the absence of a response in this respect in the Government’s report, the Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide comprehensive updates on the implementation and outcomes of the Strategic Plan (2013–2017) and continued statistical information on the operation and coverage of public employment services in Kenya.

Articles 4 and 5. Consultation with the social partners. The Government indicates that there have been no discussions specifically related to the Convention in the meetings held by the National Labour Board. Regarding the progress towards the ratification of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), the Government informs that a comprehensive employment policy framework is in the process of development. In addition, extensive consultations with social partners have been conducted to gather input and support for the ratification process. Regarding the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181), the Government states that existing regulations governing private employment agencies are in the process of reviewing and social partners have been consulted to discuss the impact of the ratification of the Convention and to gather their support. Furthermore, workshops and seminars have been organized to raise awareness and build consensus on the importance of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide particulars on the arrangements made for the cooperation of employers’ and workers’ representatives in the organization and operation of employment services and in the development of employment service policy. The Committee also requests the Governmentto continue to provide information on any progress made in the framework of the National Labour Board towards the ratification of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181).