Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Unemployment Convention, 1919 (No. 2) - Kenya (Ratification: 1964)

The Committee notes the observations of the Central Organization of Trade Unions of Kenya (COTU-K), received on 1 September 2023. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Article 1 of the Convention. Measures to combat unemployment. The Committee notes that the Government indicates in its report that a strong, dynamic and responsive labour and employment sector is recognized as critical to implement the transformations required for the attainment of the Kenya Vision 2030, under which it aims at creating 1 million jobs annually with the flagship projects. The Committee also notes that the Second Medium-Term Plan 2013–17 has been developed to realize the objectives of Kenya Vision 2030 and includes labour and employment as one of its sectors. It also notes that the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Services has taken a role to undertake part of programmes and projects outlined in the Second Medium-Term Plan, including carrying out the framework provided in the Sessional Paper on the National Employment Policy and Strategy for Kenya with an emphasis on employment creation. The Government indicates that different measures have been conducted with the assistance of the ILO to promote employment in 2012, in line with the Decent Work Country Programme. The Committee notes that the Government will endeavour to consult the National Labour Board to decide on the way forward in relation to the ratification of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181). The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to combat unemployment, including the implementation of the Second Medium-Term Plan 2013–17 of Kenya Vision 2030, as well as the results of the measures implemented with the assistance of the ILO. The Committee also requests the Government to include information on new measures taken to build institutions for the realization of full employment and encourages the National Labour Board to hold consultations on the ratification of Conventions Nos 122 and 181.

Article 2(2). Coordination between employment services. The Committee notes that the National Labour Board advises the Director of Employment on matters concerning the operations of the private agencies through the provision of guidelines on granting applications for registration of an employment agency based on periodic reports and briefings provided by the Director to inform the Board on emerging issues pertaining to the accreditation process. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the manner in which the coordination of the operations of public and private employment agencies is ensured.