Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Djibouti (Ratification: 1978)

Article 1 of the Convention. Adoption and implementation of an active employment policy. ILO technical assistance. In response to previous comments, the Government indicates in its report that, although the strategy for the formulation of a national employment policy was commenced in April 2003, and new structures have been established, the preparation of a national employment policy paper has still not been completed. The Committee notes that the National Employment Forum held in 2010 showed the need to develop a new employment policy adapted to labour market needs, which will have to target as a priority the reform of the vocational training system and the improvement of employment support services. The Government indicates that, out of a population of 818,159 inhabitants of working age, recent estimates place the unemployment rate at 48.4 per cent. It also indicates that, following a mission for the evaluation of technical cooperation undertaken by the ILO in March 2011, the Government reiterated its commitment to developing a Djibouti Decent Work Programme. It adds that it is still awaiting Office support for this purpose. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that employment, as a key element of poverty reduction, is central to macroeconomic and social policies, and on the progress made in the adoption of a national policy for the achievement of full employment within the meaning of the Convention.

Youth employment. The Government indicates that in 2012, despite a certain improvement, unemployment particularly affected young persons with higher education degrees. Moreover, although the country does not currently have a formal strategy to promote youth employment, several initiatives have been established to improve the operation of the labour market, promote entrepreneurship and provide training adapted to labour market needs. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the manner in which the measures adopted have resulted in productive and lasting employment opportunities for young persons, and on the collaboration of the social partners in their implementation.

Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. In March 2014, the Government provided the summary of the employment situation prepared by the National Employment and Skills Observatory. The number of jobs is increasing (30,118 jobs created in 2007, 35,393 in 2008 and 37,837 in 2010). The Committee invites the Government to indicate the measures taken to improve the labour market information system and to consolidate the mechanisms linking this system with decision-making in the field of employment policy. It also requests the Government to provide updated statistical data disaggregated by age and sex, as well as any other relevant data relating to the size and distribution of the workforce, the nature and scope of unemployment and underemployment and the respective trends.

Article 3. Collaboration of the social partners. The Committee recalls the importance of the consultations required by the Convention and once again requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted or envisaged for the consultation of the representatives of the persons affected on employment policies.