Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

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

Follow-up to the conclusions of the Committee on the Application of Standards (International Labour Conference, 106th Session, June 2017)

The Committee recalls that the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS), in its June 2017 session, taking into account the persistence of high unemployment and underemployment in the country, which principally affects the most vulnerable persons, women and youth, requested the Government of Sudan to develop a coherent strategy, in the framework of the national policy, to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment with the participation of representatives of the most representative workers’ and employers’ organizations. It also requested the Government to continue availing itself of ILO technical assistance, so that the capacity of employers’ and workers’ representatives could be strengthened.

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Formulation of an employment policy and coordination with poverty reduction. Consultation with the social partners. The Committee welcomes the information provided in the Government’s report in relation to efforts made to implement the conclusions of the CAS. The Government indicates that, to this end, a road map was developed for the implementation of the national employment policy and an agreement was signed between the Government, the ILO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In addition, a 35-member working group of the tripartite High Consultative Committee for the National Employment Policy was tasked with formulating the policy, in accordance with Decision No. 33 of 28 August 2014 of the Minister of Labour and Administrative Reform. The High Consultative Committee carried out its work through specialized committees and working groups supported by international experts. The Government adds that the High Consultative Committee approved the policy in its final version on 15 November 2017. It was subsequently submitted and approved by the Minister of Labour and Administrative Reform on 13 December 2017, submitted to the Council of Ministers and examined by the joint meeting of technical committees in January 2018. The policy was submitted to the competent department in the Council of Ministers on 25 September 2018. After final review by that department, it will be submitted again to the Council of Ministers for approval. The Committee notes that the draft policy aims to promote productive and freely chosen work in which the worker can use his or her capacities without discrimination. The Government indicates that Sudan’s vision of the future is based on its national strategy 2007–31 and national five-year plans arising from the strategy. The Government adds that the policy is also based on the Sustainable Development Goals and existing poverty reduction strategies. The draft policy provides for operationalizing strategies to: promote growth that supports employment; improve the performance of the labour market; and improve the quantity and quality of the vocational training system. The Government emphasizes that social protection is a priority. The Committee welcomes the efforts made by the Government to develop and implement a national employment policy in accordance with the recommendations made by the Conference Committee. It invites the Government to continue to provide updated detailed information in this regard, and to provide a copy of the policy once it is adopted. In addition, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the consultations held with the social partners in relation to the formulation and implementation of an active employment policy, as well as to provide information on consultations with representatives of the persons affected by the measures to be taken, such as women, young persons, those working in rural areas and in the informal economy.

Article 2. Collection and use of labour market data. Employment trends. In response to the Committee’s previous request, the Government once again communicates data from the 2011 Labour Force Survey. Noting the Government’s indication that the next Labour Force Survey will be finalized in 2019, the Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide updated statistical data, disaggregated as much as possible, on the situation and trends of employment, unemployment and visible underemployment, in the formal and informal economies.