Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Social Policy (Basic Aims and Standards) Convention, 1962 (No. 117) - Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ratification: 1967)

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Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in 2022, which indicates that the Strategy Document on Economic Growth and Reduction of Second-Generation Poverty (DSCRP 2) for 2011–2015 resulted in a significant improvement in economic growth, moving from negative to positive growth rates, and reaching peak levels of 9.5 per cent in 2014. The Committee notes that DSCRP 2 has come to an end and that a new strategic plan, that includes sectorial policies, is currently being implemented. In this respect, the Committee notes that the Government has adopted in particular: (i) a National Strategic Development Plan (PNSD 2019–2023) aimed at aligning stakeholders’ actions and their contributions to national policies; (ii) a National Strategic Plan for universal health coverage 2021–2030 aimed at improving the health and life expectancy of the population; and (iii) a National Employment and Vocational Training Policy, with an Operational Employment Action Plan (PAO-E) for 2022–24. The Government also refers to the Programme if Action for 2021–23, which summarizes the presidential commitments. The Committee notes, however, that no mention is made of the adoption and implementation of the ILO Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP 2021–24). The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide up-to-date information on the policies and measures aimed at improving standards of living. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the above-mentioned national plans and other measures, indicating the manner in which they have contributed to the improvement in standards of living and the reduction of poverty in the country (Article 2 of the Convention).

Part VI. Education and vocational training. The Committee notes that the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Technical and Vocational Training, mentioned in its previous comments, is no longer operational and that the Government has set up the National Committee for Professional Certification to regulate and validate professional qualification certificates. The Committee also notes that the PNSD 2019–23 and the DWCP 2021–24 identify a mismatch between training and jobs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken, especially as part of the PNSD and the DWCP, on the capacity of the system of education, vocational training and apprenticeship to effectively prepare children and young people of both sexes for a useful occupation, as prescribed in Article 15 of the Convention.