Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Mauritius (Ratification: 2004)

The Committee takes note of the supplementary information provided by the Government in light of the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 338th Session (June 2020). The Committee proceeded with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the supplementary information received from the Government this year (see articles 1(2) and 10 below), as well as on the basis of the information at its disposal in 2019.

Articles 1(2) and 6 of the Convention. Contribution of the national public employment service to employment. Encouraging full use of employment service facilities. The Committee takes note of the Government’s indication that the Employment Service, operating under the Ministry of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training (MLHRDT) is in the process of drafting a National Employment Policy with the participation of the social partners. It further notes that the Government Programme 2015-2019 provides for the creation of a National Employment Agency, to be referred to as the National Employment Department (NED). The Committee notes that section 4 of the 2017 National Employment Act (NEA) provides for the creation of the NED; however, the Government indicates that the NEA has not yet been promulgated. The Government adds that actions have nevertheless already been initiated in the areas of training, restructuring of employment information centres and provision of equipment. In this regard, the Committee notes with interest the range of measures taken by the Government to promote employment. The Committee notes that the Youth Employment Programme (YEP), launched by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development in 2013, was transferred to the MLHRDT in February 2015. The YEP aims to assist young persons between the ages of 16 and 35 to obtain training and placement in employment. In its supplementary report, the Government reports that, as of 31 August 2020, the YEP had registered 37,599 young people and placed 23,628 in employment, out of which 10,699 (45 per cent) were men, compared to 12,929 (55 per cent) women. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that female unemployment in Mauritius is approximately twice that of male unemployment. Accordingly, in 2015, the MLHRDT introduced the Back to Work Programme (BTW) for women over the age of 35 to help them enter or re-enter the labour force. The BTW provides eligible participants with a paid one-year placement and training opportunities. As of 31 August 2020, the BTW programme had 4,723 women registered in its database and had placed 1,265 in employment. A Dual Training Programme (DTP) was also introduced in 2015, which consists of a mix of practical on-the-job training and classroom studies. The Government indicates that DTP courses are selected and designed according to the specific needs of employers, with industry associations and training institutions collaborating in designing and developing diploma/degree courses to be offered on a dual basis. The Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) subsidizes 50 per cent of the training costs up to Rs 50,000 per year for each trainee, as well as refunding a monthly stipend of Rs 6,000 per trainee for up to three years. As of 31 August 2020, 46 companies were participating in the DTP and 264 trainees had been placed. Moreover, the Government launched a Trainee Engineer Scheme (TES) in September 2016. The supplementary information provided by the Government indicates that the BTW has registered 4,723 women and placed 1,265 in employment. The Committee recalls that the public employment service is one of the necessary institutions to ensure the realization of full employment. In conjunction with the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181), Convention No. 88 forms a necessary building block for employment growth (2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments, paras. 785–790). The Committee requests the Government to communicate information on the current status of the National Employment Policy and to transmit a copy as soon as it is adopted. It further requests the Government to provide updated information with regard to the establishment of the National Employment Department upon promulgation of the National Employment Act, 2017, as well as with respect to other measures taken to build institutions for the realization of full employment. The Committee also invites the Government, in consultation with the social partners, to consider the possibility of ratifying the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), a priority governance instrument which, taken together with the constellation of employment instruments provides a framework for the realization of the right to work and education for all (2010 General Survey, paragraph 789).

Articles 4 and 5. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes that section 12 of the NEA provides for the creation of a National Employment Advisory Committee, which will include representatives from workers’ and employers’ organizations, to advise the Minister on employment-related matters such as: employment policies and strategies; training and placement schemes; labour market trends; linkages between education and training systems and the workplace; and measures to reduce mismatches between demand and supply of labour. Nevertheless, the Government reports that the NEA, adopted in October 2017, has not yet been promulgated and that, as a result, the Committee has not yet been established. The Committee also notes that the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF) has revamped its Training and Placement Programme and is focusing on education, health, training and employment, and family empowerment as its main areas of intervention. The Committee trusts that the Government will take the necessary measures to ensure the adoption of the NEA and the establishment of the National Employment Advisory Committee without delay, and requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard. In addition, the Committee invites the Government to continue to provide updated detailed information regarding the activities of the NEF and consultations with the social partners relevant to the operation of the public employment service.

Article 8. Special arrangements for young persons. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it has entrusted its Human Resource Development Council with the responsibility of implementing a National Skills Development Programme as well as a Graduate Training for Employment Scheme, both of which aim to reduce unemployment among young persons. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information, including statistical data disaggregated by age and sex, on the nature, activities and outcomes of these programmes and their impact on opportunities for young persons to secure decent and lasting employment. It further requests the Government to provide information in relation to other measures taken or envisaged to give effect to this Article of the Convention.

Article 10. Encouraging full use of employment service facilities. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on measures taken to disseminate information on vacancies available at the level of the employment service through the Citizen Advice Bureaux (CAB), Youth Centres, Centres for Women and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) throughout the island. It also notes the television programme “Magazine de l’Emploi et des Métiers » launched in October 2014, which disseminates information on vacancies in different economic sectors. The Committee invites the Government to continue to communicate information concerning the manner in which effect is given to this Article of the Convention.

Article 11. Cooperation with private employment agencies. The Committee notes the information communicated by the Government indicating that, as of 18 July 2019, 62 private recruitment agencies were licensed to carry out recruitment functions. The Government adds that these agencies are inspected monthly by officers of the Public Employment Service. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the nature and impact of specific measures taken to ensure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies.