Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Kenya (Ratification: 1979)

The Committee notes with interest the detailed information supplied by the Government in its report, received in January 1999. It would be appreciated if the Government would continue to supply information on the following points:

1. The Committee notes that, since January 1998, the National Manpower Development Committee has been established with the objective of ensuring that there is availability of sufficient and well-trained manpower with the requisite knowledge and skills required by the economy. It would be grateful if the Government would provide further indications on the manner in which the policies and programmes carried out by the National Manpower Development Committee are linked with employment, and in particular with the public employment services, as required by Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention.

2. The Committee notes with interest that there is a deliberate policy to promote participation of women in vocational guidance and training in the economy, as highlighted in the National Development Plan 1997-2001 which encourages women and youth involvement in small, medium-scale and informal sector activities. Please supply any indication on the achievements obtained in the framework of the National Development Plan in order to encourage all persons, on an equal basis and without any discrimination whatsoever, to develop and use their capabilities for work in their own best interests and in accordance with their own aspirations, account being taken of the needs of society (Article 1, paragraph 5).

3. As required in previous comments, please describe the type of information made available for vocational guidance purposes and supply specimens of the documentation made available. Please indicate the procedures and/or machinery for ensuring that the educational, training, occupational, employment market and other information referred to in Article 3, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the Convention are kept suitably up to date for effective vocational guidance purposes.

4. Please continue to supply information on the policies and programmes implemented in order to increase higher employment and training opportunities for small and medium enterprises. In this respect, the Government might deem it useful to consult the appropriate provisions of the Job Creation in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Recommendation, 1998 (No. 189).

5. Please continue to provide information on the Voucher Training Scheme Programme and its impact on small-scale enterprises and on any action that has been taken or is envisaged as a result of the assistance and advice received from the ILO and, if any, the factors which may have prevented or delayed such action (Part V of the report form).