Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Gabon (Ratification: 2009)

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

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.

Repetition

Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of a national employment policy. Participation of the social partners. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide detailed information, including statistical information, on the impact of measures implemented under the employment action plan, as well as information on any measures taken or envisaged/planned to ensure effective consultations with representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of Gabon’s new National Employment Policy (PNE), which was drafted in consultation with the social partners and with ILO technical assistance. The Government indicates that the preparation of the framework document for the PNE took place in three phases: the tripartite drafting process (2016), national technical approval (May 2017) and adoption by the Council of Ministers (2018). The PNE also includes an action plan adopted on the basis of a joint agreement between all stakeholders to formulate guidelines and strategies for taking concrete action to address effectively concerns relating to unemployment, poverty, precarity and social exclusion. In this regard, the Committee notes that the PNE comprises the following strategic components: increasing the labour absorption capacity of the national economy, supporting private sector and entrepreneurial development, increasing the employability of the labour force, and improving and modernizing labour market governance. With regard to the dissemination of the PNE, the Government also indicates that appropriate measures will be taken to inform partners in rural areas and in the informal economy of the Government’s new vision for employment. In this regard, the Committee notes that the Employment Department and the social partners are making every effort to implement the PNE Operational Action Plan with ILO technical support. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed and up-to-date information on the nature and impact of the measures adopted within the framework of the National Employment Policy (PNE) and on progress made in its implementation, as well as on all other active labour market measures adopted to create opportunities for decent, productive and lasting employment. In addition, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, including partners in rural areas and the informal economy, have been associated with the drafting, implementation and revision of the PNE. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to strengthen the capacities required and allocate the necessary budgetary resources to ensure the successful implementation of the PNE.

Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide information on progress made with regard to the system of labour market data collection, and to provide the available data on the situation and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, including for women and young people. The Government refers to the adoption of Decree No. 0016/PR/MEEDD of 16 January 2013 creating the National Employment and Training Observatory (ONEF) with the aim of improving the quality of labour market statistics and the formulation of public policies. The Committee notes that the statistics provided by the Government on the situation and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, including for women and young people, date from the last national survey on employment and unemployment carried out in 2010. It also notes that between 2019 and 2022, the Government plans to carry out a National Survey on Employment and the Informal Sector in order to update employment data at the national level. The Committee requests the Government to send information on the progress made in the establishment of the National Employment and Training Observatory (ONEF). It also requests the Government to send detailed and updated information on the progress made in the implementation of the National Survey on Employment and the Informal Sector and to provide, where applicable, up-to-date statistical information disaggregated by age and sex on the situation, level and development of employment, unemployment and underemployment, both in urban and rural areas.

Coordination of employment policy with poverty reduction. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to continue providing detailed information on the measures taken to ensure that employment, which is a crucial factor in poverty reduction, is central to its macroeconomic and social policies, and also on the results of the “One young person = one trade” campaign and training programme. The Government indicates that the framework document for the PNE, which has its legal basis in Strategic Objective No. 21 of the Emerging Gabon Strategic Plan (PSGE), aims to promote access to employment and combat social exclusion. In this regard, the Committee notes that the 2018 PNE recognizes small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small and medium-sized industries (SMIs) as poverty reduction drivers and provides for measures to improve their financing. In its report submitted under article 19 of the ILO Constitution, the Government refers to the Economic Recovery Plan (PRE) formulated and implemented within the framework of integrated development policies, which have as one of their principal objectives the reduction of poverty through employment creation. In this regard, specific policies were implemented in early 2018 to boost employment creation by 10,000 new jobs by the end of December 2018. The Committee notes that, according to the information provided by the Government in its report submitted under article 19 of the ILO Constitution, the initial results of these policies have been encouraging, with the identification of close to 12,000 jobs created in 2018. It also notes that other programmes, such as the Agricultural Development and Investment Project in Gabon (PRODIAG) and the promotion of self-employment, aim to reduce poverty. However, it notes that the Government has not provided any information on the results of the training programme “One young person = one trade”. The Committee requests the Government to send detailed information on the nature, impact and implementation of each of the national strategies that aim to reduce poverty, including the results of the training programme “One young person = one trade”, within the framework of the implementation of the new PNE.

Vulnerable groups. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken to facilitate the integration of young people and women in the labour market. With regard to the employment of young people, the Government indicates that within the framework of assistance for vocational integration and reintegration (FIR), the National Employment Office (ONE) has mobilized its institutional and economic partners, principally SMEs and multinational enterprises, to promote the employability of young people through the implementation of two instruments, the first of which is the Youth Apprenticeship Contract (CAJ), which aims to increase the employability of young job applicants (aged 16 to 35) so that they can apply for offers of employment that require professional experience. The second of these instruments, established by Ordinance No. 000008/PR of 26 January 2018, is the Assisted Contract, which offers financial assistance or tax or social incentives to employers which implement a specific employment programme. With regard to the integration of women in the labour market, the Government indicates that women comprise 59.17 per cent of the unemployed. The Committee notes that, according to the latest statistics, the unemployment rate of women is almost twice that of men (the women’s unemployment rate is around 28.6 per cent compared to 14.4 per cent for men). It also notes that the PNE does not provide for special programmes that aim to promote women’s employment in the labour market. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the nature and impact of the “Youth Apprenticeship Contract” programme and the “Assisted Contract”, as well as on other active employment measures adopted or envisaged to promote the full, decent, productive and lasting employment of young people and women with the aim of reducing inequalities in the labour market. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the specific measures taken or envisaged to promote women’s participation in the labour market, including in occupations that are not traditionally exercised by women.

Promoting micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide information, including statistics, on the impact of the measures taken to promote the creation of sustainable employment by SMEs. The Government indicates that the promotion of SMEs and SMIs is a crucial strategy for the country’s economic and social development. In this regard, it refers to the establishment of a number of administrative bodies and support mechanisms, such as the creation of a Ministry for SMEs/SMIs, the restructuring of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the merging of various institutions within a new agency, ANPI-Gabon, one of whose responsibilities is to assist the Government in the implementation of its policy for investment, exports, enterprise creation and development. The Committee requests the Government to continue sending updated information on the nature and impact of the measures adopted and implemented to support entrepreneurship development and the creation of sustainable micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises. It also requests the Government to provide in its next report an assessment of the results of the measures implemented, both in terms of the number of enterprises created and the economic sectors involved, and their impact on employment creation in SMEs. In addition, the Government is requested to provide detailed information on the measures taken to promote cooperatives as a source of productive employment.

Coordination of education and training policy with employment policy. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide an assessment of the impact of the measures taken to ensure that the promotion of vocational training is better matched to employment prospects, particularly for young people. The Government indicates that one of the policies in the PNE is to help the national education and vocational training system respond to the three dimensions of employability, the first two of which involve the ability to adapt to an enterprise that requires skills and the capacity to create one’s own job through the skills acquired in a trade. It also indicates that the country has nine vocational training and development centres (CFPP) spread across seven of Gabon’s nine provinces. The Committee notes that these centres only have 1500 places available for more than 4000 candidates seeking training registered during the last entry competition. It also notes that the training courses available cover 26 trades in the industrial sector and eight in the tertiary sector. These training courses place workers, skilled workers and highly skilled workers on the employment market. The Government also indicates that many private vocational training structures supplement State action by creating training cycles that award the Vocational Training Certificate (CFP) and the as well Higher Technician Diploma (DTS). The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report information on the manner in which it ensures effective coordination between these vocational training programmes and its employment policy programmes, and to provide detailed information on the content of the vocational training programmes, as well as statistical data disaggregated by sex, age and type of training indicating the number of participants who obtained lasting employment following their training. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure coordination between the content of its vocational training programmes and existing and future labour market opportunities in response to current and future labour market needs.

COVID-19 and national employment policy. With regard to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Committee recalls the guidance provided in international labour standards. In this regard, the Committee wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation, 2017 (No. 205), which provides guidance on the drafting and implementation of effective responses to the deep-rooted socio-economic consequences of the pandemic. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report updated information on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of the policies and programmes adopted to promote full, productive, freely chosen and lasting employment.

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

Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of a national employment policy. Participation of the social partners. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide detailed information, including statistical information, on the impact of measures implemented under the employment action plan, as well as information on any measures taken or envisaged/planned to ensure effective consultations with representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of Gabon’s new National Employment Policy (PNE), which was drafted in consultation with the social partners and with ILO technical assistance. The Government indicates that the preparation of the framework document for the PNE took place in three phases: the tripartite drafting process (2016), national technical approval (May 2017) and adoption by the Council of Ministers (2018). The PNE also includes an action plan adopted on the basis of a joint agreement between all stakeholders to formulate guidelines and strategies for taking concrete action to address effectively concerns relating to unemployment, poverty, precarity and social exclusion. In this regard, the Committee notes that the PNE comprises the following strategic components: increasing the labour absorption capacity of the national economy, supporting private sector and entrepreneurial development, increasing the employability of the labour force, and improving and modernizing labour market governance. With regard to the dissemination of the PNE, the Government also indicates that appropriate measures will be taken to inform partners in rural areas and in the informal economy of the Government’s new vision for employment. In this regard, the Committee notes that the Employment Department and the social partners are making every effort to implement the PNE Operational Action Plan with ILO technical support. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed and up-to-date information on the nature and impact of the measures adopted within the framework of the National Employment Policy (PNE) and on progress made in its implementation, as well as on all other active labour market measures adopted to create opportunities for decent, productive and lasting employment. In addition, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, including partners in rural areas and the informal economy, have been associated with the drafting, implementation and revision of the PNE. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to strengthen the capacities required and allocate the necessary budgetary resources to ensure the successful implementation of the PNE.

Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide information on progress made with regard to the system of labour market data collection, and to provide the available data on the situation and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, including for women and young people. The Government refers to the adoption of Decree No. 0016/PR/MEEDD of 16 January 2013 creating the National Employment and Training Observatory (ONEF) with the aim of improving the quality of labour market statistics and the formulation of public policies. The Committee notes that the statistics provided by the Government on the situation and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, including for women and young people, date from the last national survey on employment and unemployment carried out in 2010. It also notes that between 2019 and 2022, the Government plans to carry out a National Survey on Employment and the Informal Sector in order to update employment data at the national level. The Committee requests the Government to send information on the progress made in the establishment of the National Employment and Training Observatory (ONEF). It also requests the Government to send detailed and updated information on the progress made in the implementation of the National Survey on Employment and the Informal Sector and to provide, where applicable, up-to-date statistical information disaggregated by age and sex on the situation, level and development of employment, unemployment and underemployment, both in urban and rural areas.

Coordination of employment policy with poverty reduction. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to continue providing detailed information on the measures taken to ensure that employment, which is a crucial factor in poverty reduction, is central to its macroeconomic and social policies, and also on the results of the “One young person = one trade” campaign and training programme. The Government indicates that the framework document for the PNE, which has its legal basis in Strategic Objective No. 21 of the Emerging Gabon Strategic Plan (PSGE), aims to promote access to employment and combat social exclusion. In this regard, the Committee notes that the 2018 PNE recognizes small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small and medium-sized industries (SMIs) as poverty reduction drivers and provides for measures to improve their financing. In its report submitted under article 19 of the ILO Constitution, the Government refers to the Economic Recovery Plan (PRE) formulated and implemented within the framework of integrated development policies, which have as one of their principal objectives the reduction of poverty through employment creation. In this regard, specific policies were implemented in early 2018 to boost employment creation by 10,000 new jobs by the end of December 2018. The Committee notes that, according to the information provided by the Government in its report submitted under article 19 of the ILO Constitution, the initial results of these policies have been encouraging, with the identification of close to 12,000 jobs created in 2018. It also notes that other programmes, such as the Agricultural Development and Investment Project in Gabon (PRODIAG) and the promotion of self-employment, aim to reduce poverty. However, it notes that the Government has not provided any information on the results of the training programme “One young person = one trade”. The Committee requests the Government to send detailed information on the nature, impact and implementation of each of the national strategies that aim to reduce poverty, including the results of the training programme “One young person = one trade”, within the framework of the implementation of the new PNE.

Vulnerable groups. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken to facilitate the integration of young people and women in the labour market. With regard to the employment of young people, the Government indicates that within the framework of assistance for vocational integration and reintegration (FIR), the National Employment Office (ONE) has mobilized its institutional and economic partners, principally SMEs and multinational enterprises, to promote the employability of young people through the implementation of two instruments, the first of which is the Youth Apprenticeship Contract (CAJ), which aims to increase the employability of young job applicants (aged 16 to 35) so that they can apply for offers of employment that require professional experience. The second of these instruments, established by Ordinance No. 000008/PR of 26 January 2018, is the Assisted Contract, which offers financial assistance or tax or social incentives to employers which implement a specific employment programme. With regard to the integration of women in the labour market, the Government indicates that women comprise 59.17 per cent of the unemployed. The Committee notes that, according to the latest statistics, the unemployment rate of women is almost twice that of men (the women’s unemployment rate is around 28.6 per cent compared to 14.4 per cent for men). It also notes that the PNE does not provide for special programmes that aim to promote women’s employment in the labour market. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the nature and impact of the “Youth Apprenticeship Contract” programme and the “Assisted Contract”, as well as on other active employment measures adopted or envisaged to promote the full, decent, productive and lasting employment of young people and women with the aim of reducing inequalities in the labour market. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the specific measures taken or envisaged to promote women’s participation in the labour market, including in occupations that are not traditionally exercised by women.

Promoting micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide information, including statistics, on the impact of the measures taken to promote the creation of sustainable employment by SMEs. The Government indicates that the promotion of SMEs and SMIs is a crucial strategy for the country’s economic and social development. In this regard, it refers to the establishment of a number of administrative bodies and support mechanisms, such as the creation of a Ministry for SMEs/SMIs, the restructuring of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the merging of various institutions within a new agency, ANPI-Gabon, one of whose responsibilities is to assist the Government in the implementation of its policy for investment, exports, enterprise creation and development. The Committee requests the Government to continue sending updated information on the nature and impact of the measures adopted and implemented to support entrepreneurship development and the creation of sustainable micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises. It also requests the Government to provide in its next report an assessment of the results of the measures implemented, both in terms of the number of enterprises created and the economic sectors involved, and their impact on employment creation in SMEs. In addition, the Government is requested to provide detailed information on the measures taken to promote cooperatives as a source of productive employment.

Coordination of education and training policy with employment policy. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide an assessment of the impact of the measures taken to ensure that the promotion of vocational training is better matched to employment prospects, particularly for young people. The Government indicates that one of the policies in the PNE is to help the national education and vocational training system respond to the three dimensions of employability, the first two of which involve the ability to adapt to an enterprise that requires skills and the capacity to create one’s own job through the skills acquired in a trade. It also indicates that the country has nine vocational training and development centres (CFPP) spread across seven of Gabon’s nine provinces. The Committee notes that these centres only have 1500 places available for more than 4000 candidates seeking training registered during the last entry competition. It also notes that the training courses available cover 26 trades in the industrial sector and eight in the tertiary sector. These training courses place workers, skilled workers and highly skilled workers on the employment market. The Government also indicates that many private vocational training structures supplement State action by creating training cycles that award the Vocational Training Certificate (CFP) and the as well Higher Technician Diploma (DTS). The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report information on the manner in which it ensures effective coordination between these vocational training programmes and its employment policy programmes, and to provide detailed information on the content of the vocational training programmes, as well as statistical data disaggregated by sex, age and type of training indicating the number of participants who obtained lasting employment following their training. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure coordination between the content of its vocational training programmes and existing and future labour market opportunities in response to current and future labour market needs.

COVID-19 and national employment policy. With regard to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Committee recalls the guidance provided in international labour standards. In this regard, the Committee wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation, 2017 (No. 205), which provides guidance on the drafting and implementation of effective responses to the deep-rooted socio-economic consequences of the pandemic. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report updated information on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of the policies and programmes adopted to promote full, productive, freely chosen and lasting employment.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

The Committee notes the observations of the Trade Union Congress of Gabon (CSG), which were received on 24 July 2015.

Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of a national employment policy. Participation of the social partners. In its previous comments, the Committee asked the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures implemented under the employment action plan adopted in 2010, and on the consultations held with the social partners. In its observations the CSG indicates that the formulation of an employment action plan in 2010 was not the subject of consultations with the social partners. The CSG adds that, in the absence of an employment policy, unemployment in Gabon has increased, as illustrated by the number of enterprises which are closing and dismissing their workers without any new enterprises being established. The Government confirms in its report that it has not consulted either employers’ and workers’ organizations or representatives of workers in rural areas or in the informal economy during the formulation of the action plan. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information, including statistical information, on the impact of measures implemented under the employment action plan, in terms of the promotion of full and productive employment, the creation of sustainable employment and the reduction of unemployment. It also requests the Government to supply information on any measures taken or contemplated to ensure effective consultations with representatives of employers and workers, and also representatives of workers in rural areas and in the informal economy, in order to secure their cooperation in formulating and implementing employment policy programmes and measures, as required by Article 3 of the Convention.

Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. The Government reiterates that no statistical data are currently available. The Government also expresses concern at the difficulties it faces in collecting statistical data on trends in employment and underemployment among women and young people. Underlining the importance of a system of labour market data collection for determining the measures to adopt in order to achieve the objectives of the Convention and for reviewing regularly the measures taken, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made in this respect, along with statistical data from any economic and demographic surveys that it has conducted. It also requests the Government to provide in its next report any available data on the situation and trends regarding employment, unemployment and underemployment, including with respect to women and young people.

Coordination of employment policy with poverty reduction. In its previous comment, the Committee noted that, although the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in Gabon is one of the highest in Africa, the high unemployment and poverty rates point to the existence of many shortcomings, with social indicators below those of countries with comparable incomes. In this context, the Government reports on its “one young person = one job” campaign and training programme. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing detailed information on the measures taken to ensure that employment, which is a crucial factor in poverty reduction, is at the very centre of its macroeconomic and social policies, and also on the results of the “one young person = one job” campaign and training programme.

Vulnerable groups. Referring to its previous comments, the Committee requests the Government once again to provide information on the impact of the steps taken to facilitate the integration of young people and women in the labour market.

Promoting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In its previous comment, the Committee noted the reduction in the time taken to secure approval, available free of charge from the Ministry for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, for establishing an enterprise, and the provisions of Decree No. 0254/PR/MEEDD issuing the Public Procurement Code, which gives priority to small and medium-sized national enterprises, especially in the award of contracts and the subcontracting of parts thereof. In this regard, the CSG notes the reduction in formalities for establishing an enterprise but expresses regret that most enterprises of this kind are not operating because of a lack of contracts. The Government indicates in its report that there are ongoing initiatives in the area of enterprise creation and although their impact remains to be seen, an increase in the establishment of single-person enterprises should be noted. The Committee requests the Government once again to provide information, including statistics, on the impact of measures taken to promote the creation of sustainable employment by SMEs.

Coordination of education and training policy with employment policy. The CSG notes the Government’s efforts to match training and employment. The Government indicates in its report that there is a genuine will to match the supply of training to available jobs, which has resulted in the opening of a petroleum industry school in Port-Gentil and a mining industry school in Moanda. However, it adds that the considerable drop in oil prices is disadvantageous for enterprises in the sector, which are obliged to lay off workers. The Government points out that its efforts are being undermined by this situation. The Committee requests the Government once again to provide an evaluation of the impact of the measures taken to ensure that the promotion of vocational training is better matched to employment prospects, particularly for young people.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee observes that the drawing up of a detailed report, containing the information asked for in the present direct request, can provide the Government and the social partners with an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of employment policy for achieving the goals of full and productive employment, as set out in the Convention. It recalls that the preparation of a report containing detailed information and statistics to enable a general appraisal of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country may necessitate consultation of the various ministries or government agencies concerned, such as those responsible for education, economic affairs and statistics. The Committee recalls that the Government can avail itself of the technical assistance from the ILO in this regard.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention. Elaboration and implementation of a national employment policy. Participation of the social partners. The Committee takes note of the Government’s report that it received in July 2013 in response to its direct request of 2011. The Committee noted at the time that an action plan for employment had been adopted in September 2010 and that the President of the Republic had included the promotion of full and productive employment among his policy objectives. The Government states in its latest report that it is taking a whole series of initiatives with a view to the creation of sustainable employment, such as the construction of a manganese processing plant at Moanda, the ongoing construction of a hydroelectric dam at Poubara, the agro pastoral projects that are being executed all over the country and the rehabilitation and commissioning of the Nyanga Ranch, all of which are designed to create wealth through employment to reduce unemployment and poverty. So that it can examine Gabon’s application of the Convention, the Committee would like to receive information on the impact of the measures that have been implemented under the action plan for employment that the Government adopted in September 2010, from the standpoint of the creation of sustainable employment and reduction of unemployment. It invites the Government in its next report to present detailed information on the consultations held with representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations and with workers in rural areas and in the informal economy so as to secure their collaboration in preparing and implementing its employment policy programmes and measures (Article 3 of the Convention). The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report data on the situation and trend in unemployment and underemployment, particularly among women and young people.

Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. In its previous comment the Committee stressed that a system of labour market data collection is essential for determining the measures to adopt in order to achieve the objectives of the Convention and for reviewing regularly the measures taken. The Committee once again invites the Government in its next report to provide information on the progress made in this respect, along with statistical data from any economic and democratic surveys that it has held.

Coordination of employment policy with poverty reduction. In its previous comment the Committee noted that, although the GDP per inhabitant in Gabon is one of the highest in Africa, the unemployment and poverty rates testify to many shortcomings, with social indicators below those of countries with comparable incomes. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report more information on the measures taken to ensure that employment, which is a crucial factor in poverty reduction, is at the very centre of its macroeconomic and social policies.

Vulnerable groups. The Government refers to the employment policy framework document drawn up by young Gabonese. The document makes no distinction as to gender and includes observations on the employability of young people and women. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report more information on the impact of the steps taken to facilitate the insertion of young people and women in the labour market.

Promoting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In its report the Government mentions the creation of an Enterprise Development Centre as part of a new drive to reduce considerably the time needed to set up an enterprise. Approval of an application to create an enterprise can now be obtained free of charge from the Minister of Small and Medium-Size Enterprises in as little as 48 hours. The Committee also takes note of the provisions of Decree No. 0254/PR/MEEDD issuing a Public Markets Code which gives priority to small and medium-sized national enterprises, especially in concluding market contracts and subcontracting parts thereof. The Committee invites the Government to send information on the impact of the measures referred to above, from the standpoint of the creation of sustainable employment by small and medium-sized enterprises.

Coordination of education and training policy with employment policy. The Government states that measures have been adopted that focus more on adapting vocational training to employment prospects for young people. Among other things a partnership has been developed between the public and the private sector, a school for petroleum trades has been opened at Port-Gentil and 400 young people have received training in mining trades. The Committee invites the Government to send in its next report it an assessment of the impact of the measures that have been adopted so that vocational training is better adapted to employment prospects for young people.

The Committee observes that a detailed report containing the information called for in this direct request could afford the Government and the social partners an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of Gabon’s employment policy in achieving the goal of full and productive employment, as called for in the Convention. It recalls that in preparing a detailed response of this kind the Government may need to consult the various ministries or government agencies concerned, such as those responsible for education, economic affairs and statistics.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

The Committee has taken note of the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention.

Articles 1 and 3 of the Contention. Elaboration and implementation of a national employment policy. Participation of the social partners. The Government states that the objective to promote full and productive employment is contained in the social programme, on the basis of which the President of the Republic was elected. The employment policy, as well as the policy to combat social exclusion and job insecurity are also incorporated in the “Emerging Gabon” development plan 2011–16. The Committee notes the adoption, in September 2010, of an action plan for employment, which contains an overall presentation of the priority areas and expected outcomes. This action plan was discussed with the social partners and received technical assistance from the ILO. The Committee notes that the unemployment rate in Gabon is high, affecting 16.3 per cent of the population (data from 2005). Moreover, unemployment particularly affects young people, with a third of the active working population under 30 years of age being unemployed. Thirty-three per cent of the population are in a precarious working situation, with a higher incidence in the rural areas (45 per cent) than in the urban areas (30 per cent). With a view to reducing the unemployment rate to below 20 per cent, the Government intends on launching an investment programme in labour-intensive sectors of activity such as agriculture, industry and tourism. It also points out that a major public works programme designed to achieve the employment objectives defined in the development plan will be carried out in the construction and public works sectors. The Committee would like to examine in the Government’s next report the measures specifically adopted and implemented within the framework of the employment action plan, in terms of sustainable jobs creation and the reduction of unemployment. Furthermore, the Committee hopes that the Government will be in a position to provide statistics on the situation of and trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment, especially in respect to women and young people. It also requests the Government to include detailed information on consultations held with the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations, as well as with representatives from workers in rural areas and the informal economy, in order to secure their cooperation in formulating and implementing employment policy programmes and measures (Article 3).

Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. In its report, the Government states that measures have been taken to collect and analyse statistical data on the size and distribution of the labour force, as well as on the nature and extent of unemployment and underemployment. According to the ILO, surveys should be carried out among enterprises in order to better understand the demand for labour and skills, especially sectoral-level analyses with a view to drawing up jobs and skills registers in order to facilitate matching these competences to the demand of the labour market, as well as with the planning on education and vocational training. The Committee stresses that a system of labour market data collection is essential for determining measures to adopt to achieve the objectives of the Convention and review regularly the measures taken in this respect. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on any progress achieved in this area, as well as statistical data emerging from the economic and demographic surveys that have been carried out.

Coordination of employment policy with poverty reduction. The Committee has taken note of the working paper on the assessment of jobs created within the framework of the Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy Paper (PRGSP) for Gabon, published in 2011 by the ILO’s Employment Sector. According to this working paper, although the GDP per inhabitant in Gabon is one of the highest in Africa, the unemployment and poverty rates testify to many shortcomings in the country, with social indicators below those of countries with comparable incomes. The Committee notes that employment is not explicitly mentioned in the PRGSP. The Committee invites the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the measures taken to ensure that employment, as a key element in poverty reduction, is at the forefront of its macroeconomic and social policies.

Vulnerable groups. The Government states in its report that about 55 per cent of young people are looking for a first job. The Committee notes that the action plan for employment refers to a possible adjustment of vocational training activities to the needs of young people and envisages setting up a solidarity fund for youth employment. Furthermore, according to data examined by the ILO, some areas of activity employ a majority of women, such as agriculture and trade, where more than half of the labour force is composed of women. Conversely, men make up most of the labour force in other types of activity, such as fishing and livestock farming, forestry, industry and construction. The Committee invites the Government to provide more information in its next report on the measures taken to consolidate the programmes aiming to facilitate the inclusion of young people and women in the labour market.

Promoting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In its report the Government refers to the establishment of a framework that might boost a dynamic private sector, which is a strong growth factor and sustainable generator of employment. The Committee notes that the action plan for employment proposes, as a priority, to promote employment by introducing support measures for SMEs by making available to them advisers on technology to help them modernize their production processes of goods and services. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. It also requests the Government to provide information on the impact of measures taken to reduce the barriers confronted by SMEs when starting their businesses. The Government might find it useful to consult the provisions of the Job Creation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Recommendation, 1998 (No. 189).

Coordination of education policy and training with the employment policy. The Committee notes that the plan envisages taking measures to ensure that the funding of the existing educational and vocational training programmes better meets the challenges facing the country in terms of economic development and social cohesion. Working document No. 80 of the ILO’s Employment Sector suggests that use be made of the data emerging from the employment surveys to provide an input for the guidelines and decisions on employment policy and training. The Committee asks the Government to indicate in its next report the measures taken to ensure that the promotion of vocational training should be better geared towards improving employment for young people.