Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Algeria (Ratification: 1969)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending June 1994 and the attached legislation. The Government has also provided the results of the survey on labour in 1992 which show unemployment (as compared with 1991) increased by 17.5 per cent. Despite an apparently low labour force participation rate for the population of working age, due essentially to the very low participation rate of women (8.75 per cent), the unemployment rate was estimated at around 22 per cent. Since job creation did not keep pace with the rapid population growth, unemployment continued to affect mainly young persons seeking a first job. According to the latest data available at the ILO, unemployment has continued to rise and affects about one quarter of the active population. 2. In its report, the Government provides general information on the approach used in the employment policy it is conducting in the difficult context of transition towards a market economy: it expresses its conviction that industrial restructuring and privatization will allow present employment to be maintained and estimates that the "micro" and small business sector, along with the development of major works, will make a contribution to the creation of new jobs. The Committee, which lacks the information to assess the manner in which the objectives set out in Article 1 of the Convention are promoted in practice, would be grateful if the Government would supply in its next report more specific information on the objectives and effects, in terms of growth and employment, of the mobilization and structural reform programmes applied with the support of the IMF and the World Bank. It hopes that the report will include fuller information on the measures taken or envisaged in investment policy, monetary and budgetary policy, industrial and regional development policies and policies on prices, income and salaries, specifying how they contribute to promoting productive and freely chosen employment. 3. The Committee notes that the machinery for entry of young people remains a major feature of the labour market policy with, in particular, the conclusion of pre-recruitment and integration-training contracts along with job creation measures. Noting the Government's indications that weakness and failure have been noted in regard particularly to profitability of projects and the effectiveness of the cooperative system to encourage lasting employment for young people, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply in its next report any available assessment of results obtained by these various measures. Noting also the stress placed by the Government on productive employment as a means of restoring the concept of work as a value, it requests the Government to specify the measures taken in order for the school and training system to make a greater contribution to encouraging the integration of young people in the productive economy. 4. The Committee notes the importance attached by the Government to the establishment of an effective public employment service as a prerequisite to implementing action on employment policies. Referring to its previous comments, it refers to the observation it makes elsewhere in this report on the application of Convention No. 88 in which it requests the Government to describe the measures taken to give effect to the provision stipulating that the employment service must cooperate in the administration of unemployment insurance and assistance and other measures for the relief of the unemployed. More generally, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply more complete information on the labour market policy, with particular reference to application of the new Labour Code. With regard to measures designed to balance labour supply and demand, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the policy pursued in regard to migration of workers. If it is deemed useful, on this matter the Government may consult Part X of Recommendation No. 169 entitled "International migration and employment". 5. The Committee notes the provisions of the Presidential Decree of 5 October 1993 establishing an economic and social council for the purpose of ensuring dialogue between the social partners and comprising, inter alia, a committee on economic and social development prospects and a population and social needs committee. It requests the Government to indicate whether consultation on the subject of employment policies took place in this council and to supply examples of all relevant recommendations, appeals, reports or studies. The Committee which cannot overstress the need to ensure the widest social dialogue on unemployment problems in the context of the ongoing structural reforms hopes to see in the Government's next report new information showing how consultation with all the persons affected on employment policies is ensured in practice "with a view to taking fully into account their experience and views and securing their full cooperation in formulating and enlisting support for such policies" in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention.