Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Tunisia (Ratification: 1966)

1. With reference to its previous observation, the Committee notes with interest the Government's report, which includes a set of valuable information on the achievements of the VIIth National Economic and Social Development Plan (1987-91) in the field of employment, and the situation and recent trends on the labour market, as well as the main objectives of the VIIIth Plan with regard to employment policy. According to the data compiled in the latest national population-employment survey, the unemployment rate was 15.3 per cent of the reference active population in 1989. The considerable growth of employment, although below the forecast level, has proved insufficient to absorb the growth in the population of working age. The Government states in its report that unemployment remains a matter of concern. It continues to affect massively young persons seeking their first job and persons with a lower educational level, and it affects the sexes and the regions in an unequal manner.

2. The Government describes how, in relation with the implementation since 1986 of the structural adjustment plan, the policy of combating unemployment, which was essentially social in origin, has developed towards a more active concept of promoting the creation of employment and developing programmes for the most vulnerable categories of the population. The Government's report contains, in this connection, statistical data on the number of young persons who have benefited from employment-training contracts or a vocational integration course, as well as on the increasing number of jobs created within the framework of projects financed by the National Fund for the Promotion of Employment and Small Trades. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to specify in its next report the extent to which these programmes have contributed to the effective and lasting integration of the persons concerned into employment. It also notes the information on the contribution of the various regional development programmes to combating employment and underemployment. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply any available assessment of the impact of these programmes on the employment of the categories of persons for which they are intended.

3. The Committee notes the general objectives of the employment policy set out in the VIIIth Plan (1992-96). The policy to further develop structural adjustment, the opening up to the world economy and the modernization of the means of production are aimed at promoting exports, regional development and the creation of jobs. Based on a theoretical annual growth rate of 6 per cent, the growth in the number of jobs should exceed, for the first time, that of the active population and should make it possible to lower the unemployment rate to around 13 per cent by the end of the period. The Committee will not fail to follow with interest the achievement of these objectives. It also notes that it is planned to strengthen the various specific programmes for the promotion of employment intended for the social categories which are experiencing difficulties. It notes with interest, in relation to its comments on the Government's first report on the application of Convention No. 142, the emphasis placed on the development of a system of vocational training which is coordinated with prospective employment opportunities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply detailed information on the results achieved in each of these fields. With reference to its previous requests, it would be grateful if the Government would describe the manner in which representatives of the persons affected are consulted concerning employment policies, in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention. It would also be grateful if the Government would supply the relevant extracts of the VIIIth Plan (1992-96) (point VI of the report form).