Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Sudan (Ratification: 1970)

The Committee notes the observations of the Sudanese Businessmen and Employers Federation (SBEF), communicated together with the Government’s report.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Formulation of an employment policy and coordination with poverty reduction. In its previous comments, the Committee invited the Government to provide information on the progress made towards the formulation of an active employment policy, as required by the Convention. The Government indicates in its report that a Labour Force Survey was carried out in 2011 in order to prepare indicators to assist in the formulation of an employment policy. In 2013, a roadmap and seven concept papers were prepared by international experts on a range of topics, including: the creation of job opportunities through small project development; the formulation of a vocational training policy; the social economy; social protection; social dialogue and the dynamics of the labour market; and the informal economy. The roadmap and concept papers were discussed in workshops and at a high-level round table which issued recommendations on the formulation of an employment policy. The Government indicates that a high-level advisory committee, composed of experts and the social partners, was set up in 2014 to formulate an employment policy. The high-level advisory committee has formulated the principal guidelines to be contained in the employment policy. With respect to plans and programmes designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the impact of measures implemented during the reporting period, including the impact of employment measures taken within the National Project for Rural Women Development, as well as various training measures targeting youth. The Committee also notes that a Coordinating Unit for Intensive Employment has been established within the Ministry of Labour and Administrative Reform that will focus on creating sustainable jobs for youth. The Government indicates that a five-year Economic Reform Programme (ERP) 2015–19 was approved, which aims to benefit from value-added results in manufacturing and agricultural industrialization, while focusing on the need to increase the competitiveness of national goods. In its observations, the SBEF refers to the importance of the ERP 2015–19, which includes concrete quantitative goals and indicators, including in relation to the diverse resources available in the country and increasing the competitiveness of national goods. The ERP’s objectives include the creation of 1 million jobs in manufacturing industries. The SBEF adds that there is a need for broad government reform so as to promote interest in the real economy, reform the public service and combat corruption. The SBEF is of the view that these are all serious issues that must be addressed to provide jobs, combat poverty and expand productive work. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the formulation and implementation of an active employment policy, as required by the Convention, and on the implementation of the Economic Reform Programme 2015–19. Please also provide a copy of the text of the national employment policy, once it is adopted. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the employment measures taken to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, and on their results.

Article 2. Collection and use of labour market data. The Government indicates that data collected through the Labour Force Survey were used in the formulation of the ERP 2015–19. The Committee notes from the data provided that the unemployment rate was 18.5 per cent in 2011, with 16 per cent unemployment in rural areas compared to 22.9 per cent unemployment in urban areas. It further notes the statistical data provided, disaggregated by sex, employment status and by urban and rural areas. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated statistical data, disaggregated as much as possible, on the situation and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, in both the formal and informal economies.

Article 3. Consultation with the social partners. The Committee welcomes the information provided by the Government on the establishment of a National Advisory Committee for Labour Standards, composed of representatives of the social partners and of other relevant bodies. The Government indicates that the social partners are seeking to update the National Jobs Charter in order to take new parameters into account and improve implementation of the Charter, so as to maintain existing jobs and create new ones. The social partners are also working with the Government to implement the Paid Training Programme which aims to train approximately 400,000 graduates in all sectors of economic activity. Moreover, efforts are being made to regulate the conditions of workers employed in the informal economy. The Committee requests that the Government provide detailed information on the consultations held with the social partners, including within the National Advisory Committee for Labour Standards, on the formulation and implementation of an active employment policy. Please also include information on the consultations held with the representatives of the persons affected by the employment measures to be taken, such as those working in rural areas and in the informal economy.