Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Tajikistan (Ratification: 1993)

Articles 1 to 3 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it has paid particular attention to the development of human resources in the sphere of vocational training during the reporting period. In this regard, it refers to the adoption of a set of acts to regulate the development, recognition, validation and accreditation of qualifications namely: (1) the 2020 “Procedure for Quality Assurance of Qualifications and Validation of Qualifications”, (2) the 2022 “National Qualifications Classifier”, and (3) the 2022 “Procedure for the Development and Recognition of Competence Standards for Each Profession.” In particular, the Government refers to the “Vocational Training Programme for Citizens of the Republic of Tajikistan between 2021-2025” which aim is to attract unskilled people to vocational training. Over the five-year period described, 1 million people will be involved in vocational training with a priority given to persons in vulnerable situations, especially persons with disabilities. According to the statistical data provided, 446 persons with disabilities have undertaken vocational training courses free of charge. The Committee further notes the development of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) of the Republic of Tajikistan (2020–24), which includes among its outcomes improving the capacity of the vocational education and training system (VET) to decrease the mismatch between demand and supply in the labour market. In addition, the Committee observes that, according to Tajikistan’s TVET Country Profile on the UNESCO website, a draft law on initial vocational education and training (IVET) providing for the creation of a VET based on the needs of the labour market was approved by the Government on 28 September 2020 and submitted to the Parliament for endorsement.

Concerning the statistical data requested, the Committee notes the comprehensive statistical information provided, particularly the disaggregated data on admissions, graduations and employment of individuals who undertook the vocational training courses across various regions. With regard to the number of centres providing vocational education and training, the Government indicates that there are 61 vocational and technical high schools and adult education centres with 41 branches nationwide. The Committee observes that in particular, out of 46,409 beneficiaries of the vocational guidance services, 15,880 were unemployed persons, 3,580 women, 462 persons with disabilities, and 4,189 young persons, 1,569 military personnel discharged to reserve service, 470 persons released from prison, and 1,899 migrant workers. The Government reports that overall, 54 per cent of the citizens undertaking funded vocational training courses have been employed. However, according to the 2021 report of the Asian Development Bank “Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Tajikistan and other countries in Central Asia”, in general, the level of vocational education of the employed population remains low. Only 29.8 per cent of the workforce has professional education, reflecting the low level of industrialization, though that share is gradually changing. Data from three LFS surveys show that the proportion of employed people with secondary vocational education increased from 7.9 per cent to 8.9 per cent in 2004–16, and the proportion of people with higher education increased from 11.2 per cent to 17 per cent. In the same period, the proportion of employed people with primary vocational education decreased from 7.5 per cent to 3.9 per cent. The analysis of the LFS-2016 data revealed a discrepancy between the level of education of the population aged 30–75 years and employment in the workplace, which showed that work performed by 50.2 per cent of the employed adult population does not correspond to the level of education or acquired skills. In order to assess the current trends accurately, the Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the most recent labour force survey conducted in the Republic of Tajikistan.

Finally, the Committee notes that the Government’s report does not include information on the manner in which it ensures effective coordination between vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes, on the one hand, and employment and the public employment services, on the other hand. The Committee wishes to stress in this respect that effective coordination between vocational guidance, vocational training policies, and employment services is crucial. It ensures seamless transitions from training to employment, reducing unemployment rates. Also, by aligning training with job market needs, it reduces skill mismatches and increases productivity. Coordination also avoids resource duplication and provides comprehensive support to individuals which leads to a more dynamic and responsive workforce development system, benefiting all persons involved. The Committee therefore requests the Government to continue to provide information on the content and impact of the measures adopted with a view to improving the level of vocational education of the population, including those vocational guidance and training measures adopted in the framework of the Strategy for the education sector covering the period 2021- 2030, theVocational Training Programme for Citizens of the Republic of Tajikistan 2021-2025 and the DWCP. It also requests the Government to continue to provide up-to-date, disaggregated data by sex, age, and region, on the impact of the measures implemented to promote access to vocational guidance and training and lifelong learning policies and programmes, particularly to women and groups of persons in vulnerable situations, such as young persons and persons with disabilities. In particular, the Committee requests the Government to provide data on the number of vocational guidance and training graduates attaining employment following the completion of the training courses.Finally, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the status of the draft law on initial vocational education and training (IVET).

Article 1(5). Equality of opportunity. The Committee notes with interest that the Government has adopted a number of programmes for the vocational guidance, training and capacity building of women and girls, including the State Programme for the Development of Women’s Entrepreneurship (2023-2027), the State Programme for the Education, Selection and Placement of Gifted Women and Girls in Leadership Positions for 2023-2030, Government Resolutions of the Republic of Tajikistan No. 92 of 1 March 2012 on Approval of the State Programme for Training Women Specialists and Promoting their Employment 2012-2015. The Committee requestsupdated and detailed information on the impact of these vocational guidance and training programmes and policies on the employment opportunities available to women.

Nonetheless, the Committee notes the gender gap in labour force participation between men and women in employment. A large number of working-age women are not working for pay (69 per cent) compared to men (49 per cent). Furthermore, 49 per cent of young women between the ages of 15–24 are not in education, employment or training (NEET) compared to 7 per cent of men. According to the ILO DWCP for the period 2020–24, women workers are concentrated in a limited number of occupations in the healthcare (69.6 per cent), education (59.4 per cent) and agriculture sectors (45 per cent) which are poorly remunerated. In this regard, the Committee refers to paragraph 9(h) of Recommendation No. 195 to develop equal opportunity strategies, measures and programmes for training women to promote their access and competence in employment opportunities. The Committee wishes to point out that, in comparative practice, developing effective equal opportunity strategies for training women involves the following key steps: (i) conduct needs assessments to identify barriers women face; (ii) design inclusive training programs with flexible schedules and childcare support; (iii) promote mentorship and networking opportunities; (iv) implement policies for equal opportunities, such as equal pay and unbiased recruitment; and (v) provide continuous support and resources, and regularly monitor and evaluate the programs. The Committee invites the Government to provide up-to-date and detailed information on the measures taken to eliminate the gender gap in employment opportunities and prevailing occupational segregation. The Committee further requests the Government to continue to provide up-to-date and disaggregated data on the participation of women workers in various economic sectors across regions.

Article 4. Adult education. The Committee notes with interest the adoption and implementation of the Adult Education Act, 2017 and the Training of Specialists Taking into Account the Needs of the Labour Market Act, 2021 in the sphere of adult education. The Government reports that between 2020 and 2022, Tajikistan’s adult education centres provided vocational training and validation of work skills to 120,081 individuals (60 per cent of whom were women and 40 per cent were young persons) with the Khatlon region benefitting most from the centres (35,472). The Committee requests the Government to provide further statistical, detailed and disaggregated information about the participation of individuals by age, sex and region at the adult education centres and assess the impact of such vocational guidance and vocational training programmes on long-term employment of these individuals.

Article 5. Cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, in collaboration with the employers’ association, vocational training, retraining and advanced training courses have been instituted in enterprises and organisations. The Committee observes that a total of 35,113 employees have completed training and retraining, enhanced their qualifications and completed internships during the course of 2020. The Committee observes that, under the DCWP, trainings are planned for trade union leaders on effective participation in social dialogue and governance of skills development and VET policies. The Committee notes, however, that the Government does not provide information on the manner in which the social partners and other interested bodies cooperate in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide detailed information on the role, contribution and participation of social partners in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and training programmes, as required by Article 5 of the Convention and requested by the Committee in its previous comments.