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Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - New Caledonia

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of employment policy within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy. In reply to the 2011 direct request, the Government indicates that, after several years of very strong growth, the economy of New Caledonia slowed in 2012. This trend was confirmed in 2013, mainly due to the end of the construction phase for the North Province factory and the conclusion of major construction projects, including for the airport. In the first quarter of 2014, the labour market totalled 91,430 employees, which signified an increase of 1,434 compared with 2013 and of 2,500 compared with 2012. The Committee notes that the Government continues to focus on the development of local employment and skills in New Caledonia. To this end, the Government requested that the operators of the two new metallurgical plants establish a provisional skills-management plan on their respective sites, aimed at integrating local workers into the operation phase of the plants. According to the “2013 prospective study on employment and training” of the Employment, Qualifications, Wages and Training Observatory, the Committee notes that employers find it difficult to hire people for the 20 highest-demand occupations, mainly due to a lack of qualifications and potential employees. The Government indicates that a significant part of the budget is allocated to further vocational training, and budgetary support is provided by the European Union. The Government also indicates that a “vocation space” has been established with the Territorial Establishment for Adult Training (ETFPA) in the framework of its policy on the treatment of disadvantaged and unqualified persons. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing up-to-date information on labour market trends, and to indicate the impact of the measures taken to combat unemployment and promote the creation of stable, productive and quality jobs. Please also report on the results of the measures implemented to narrow the gap between job supply and demand and to minimize regional disparities in access to employment.

Youth employment. The Committee notes that over a third of jobseekers are aged between 20 and 30 years and that this proportion is rising. The Government points out that jobseekers in general and, in particular, unemployed young persons who have left the school system with no qualifications, are the priority beneficiaries of vocational-training mechanisms. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the steps taken to facilitate the integration of young persons into the labour market, and on the results achieved in the creation of lasting employment in the framework of specific contracts, such as apprenticeship contracts and training contracts.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in formulating and implementing policies. The Government indicates that a dialogue session on the topic “how to strengthen assistance for finding employment and ensure better enforcement of the Local Employment Act” was initiated. The Committee invites the Government to provide further information on the manner in which the social partners have been involved in the formulation and implementation of measures to encourage full employment, either in the Social Dialogue Council (CDS) or through any other consultation mechanism.