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Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - French Polynesia

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Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an employment policy within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy. The Committee notes that, in 2018 and for the first time since 1994, a comprehensive employment survey was conducted throughout French Polynesia by the Institute of Statistics of French Polynesia (ISFP), based on ILO definitions and criteria for unemployment. It also notes the information provided by the Government in its report on Convention No. 88, including detailed statistics contained in the 2020 annual report of the Employment, Training and Vocational Integration Service (SEFI). In particular, the Committee notes with interest the information provided on the activities of SEFI relating to the vocational integration of workers with disabilities though “work agreements for workers with disabilities” (CTH) and “internships for workers with disabilities” (SITH). The annual report indicates, inter alia, that, in 2020, workers with disabilities were the recipients of 829 SITHs and 16 CTHs. With respect to trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment, the Government reports the results of the employment survey, which reveal a pronounced geographical polarization of employment dynamics, with a weakness in the employment market in rural areas. In this regard, it indicates that, in 2018, 51 per cent of persons of working age in French Polynesia were in employment. Of these, one in seven persons was in precarious employment. The Committee notes that the unemployment rate in French Polynesia stood at 14.7 per cent in 2018. It also notes that the rural areas of Tahiti and Moorea constituted the most disadvantaged areas of French Polynesia in terms of employment, the employment rate being considerably lower there than in urban areas. The Government also indicates that unemployment particularly affects young persons and low-skilled persons. As regards developments in employment support mechanisms such as the “assisted contract” implemented in 2016 and 2017, the Government indicates that these mechanisms have constantly increased, rising from 313 in 2016 to 614 in 2019. The Government also refers to overseas country Act No. 2017-48 of 14 December 2017 on the “employment access agreement” (CAE), replacing the “employment access contract”. The new CAE expands the target audience of the mechanism and also the entities capable of accommodating it. The CAE can now be implemented for jobseekers with no qualifications or with little experience who are registered in the solidarity scheme. This Act also introduces a new mechanism called the “professional employment access agreement” (CAE PRO), which enables unemployed persons to receive an allowance in return for work-linked training and to obtain a vocational qualification or training certificate. The Committee notes that CAE PROs peaked in 2017 with 728 interns, dropping to 410 in 2018 and 405 in 2019. It also notes that the apprenticeship mechanism (Book II of Part V of the Labour Code) was amended in 2016, 2017 and 2018, particularly to increase remuneration for apprentices (70 per cent of the inter-occupational minimum wage (SMIC)), part of which is covered by the Government. The Government indicates that a training session for apprenticeship tutors was held by the National Association for Adult Training (AFPA) in 2019 and will be held on a regular basis in the coming years to promote the practice in local enterprises. The Committee notes that the number of apprentices rose from 95 in 2016 to 127 in 2019. The Committee also notes the modification to the vocational integration mechanism called the “development volunteer corps” (CVD), aimed at promoting the vocational integration of qualified jobseekers through a one-year internship in an organization. The Government also refers to overseas country Act No. 2019-18 of 8 July 2019, which enables it to adopt measures to promote and protect local employment. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the health crisis has delayed the implementation of protection measures for local employment. The first measures were expected to take effect during the first quarter of 2022. The Committee also notes the information provided by the Government on the mechanisms put in place to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the financial situation of waged workers or self-employed persons and on the measures taken to promote conditions for the recovery of economic activity, especially in the most affected sectors of the country, such as tourism and air transport. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing detailed information, including statistical data disaggregated by sex and age, on the type and impact of labour market measures taken with the aim of increasing the participation rate of women, young persons, low-skilled persons and those belonging to target groups, such as young persons in rural areas and persons with disabilities. In particular, the Committee requests the Government to provide detailed, up-to-date information illustrating the measures taken or envisaged to promote the creation of productive jobs in rural areas and to reduce regional disparities in terms of access to employment and to employment-related services.

Women’s employment. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that women are more heavily impacted by unemployment and that their employment rate declines markedly by comparison with that of men from the time family life begins. Noting the Government’s indications concerning unemployment and the decline in women’s employment rate from the start of family life, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the type and impact of any measures taken to combat the underlying causes of the gap between the employment levels of men and women and to intensify its efforts to increase the active participation of women in the labour market and their access to full, productive, freely chosen and lasting employment, in particular for those facing multiple or intersectional forms of discrimination. It also requests the Government to provide information on any measures taken to raise awareness of the need for men and women to share family responsibilities, with a view to promoting the principle of equal access to the labour market for both sexes.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Council was consulted on all the new employment mechanisms. The Committee requests the Government to provide examples of the consultations held with the social partners on the subjects covered by the Convention, including with regard to the formulation, implementation and review of employment policies and programmes. It also requests the Government to indicate whether consultations have taken place with representatives of the persons affected by the measures to be taken, in particular rural workers, including those in Tahiti and Moorea.