Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

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

The Committee notes with deep concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It expects that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments. The Committee informs the Government that, if it has not supplied replies to the points raised by 1 September 2022, then it may proceed with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information at its disposal at its next session.

Repetition

Article 1(1) of the Convention. Adoption and implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training. Close link with employment. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2013 which includes information in reply to its 2009 direct request. The Government indicates that, under the Decent Work Country Programme, young women and men have acquired entrepreneurial skills as well as business start-up skills. The Committee understands that the development of a national integrated human resources development strategy, one of the flagship projects of the Kenya Vision 2030, consists of the development of a human resources strategy to align the supply and demand for human resources with the labour market. The Committee invites the Government to supply detailed information in its next report on the results achieved by the programmes and measures taken to promote skills. It also asks the Government to provide detailed information on the existing methods for developing comprehensive and coordinated policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training indicating, in particular, the manner in which the National Labour Board, through the National Manpower Development Committee, contributes to the effective coordination of policies and programmes and the manner in which they are linked to employment and to public employment services.

Article 1(5). Equality of opportunity. The Committee takes note of the introduction by the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) of a performance monitoring tool for the public sector, including the access to training opportunities. The NGEC is working with key members of the private sector, in order to determine how a similar tool could be adopted to ensure compliance with the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111), in the private sector. Moreover, the Government’s report under the Paid Education Leave Convention, 1974 (No. 140), received in September 2013, refers to certain programmes currently in the course of implementation, namely the Youth Employment Facility initiative, the Cobblestone Work Project, and the Youth Employment for Sustainable Development (YESD). The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to encourage women to develop and use their professional abilities in all branches of economic activity and at all levels of skill and responsibility. Please also indicate the measures taken to promote access to education, training and lifelong learning for persons with specific needs, such as young persons and the other categories of vulnerable persons identified in Paragraph 5(h) of the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195).

Articles 2 and 3. Vocational guidance information. The Government indicates that national vocational training institutions advertise their programmes through the media and local dailies. The information provided includes information on the courses offered, the entry level, the duration or pattern of attendance, and cost implications. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the measures which ensure that comprehensive information and the broadest possible guidance are available to all persons concerned and to indicate the measures specifically taken concerning persons with disabilities.

Employment and training opportunities in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In reply to previous comments, the Government reports the adoption of the Micro and Small Enterprises Act, 2012, which aims to provide a legal and institutional framework for the promotion, development and regulation of micro- and small enterprises (MSEs). The Committee notes with interest that the functions of the MSE Authority include: the promotion of the mainstreaming of the youth, gender and persons with disabilities in all MSE activities and programmes; the promotion of innovation and development of products; the formulation of capacity building programmes; the facilitation of technology development, acquisition and transfer; and the development of mechanisms, tools and programmes for the collection of comprehensive data, in collaboration with key stakeholders. The Committee also notes the creation of an MSE Fund, whose purposes include the financing of capacity building and research development, innovation and transfer of technology. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the measures taken on employment and training opportunities in SMEs, particularly on the activities of the MSE Authority.