Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Yemen (Ratification: 1989)

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

The Committee notes with 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.

Repetition

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous comments. The Government reports that the outcomes of the National Dialogue form the basis for its plan for 2018 and beyond. It adds that it has implemented a technical and vocational strategy in collaboration with the World Bank and other partners, but that it needs modern strategies and plans in the area of technical education. In this regard, the Government indicates that curricula are being developed, with the involvement of the social partners, to respond to the needs of the labour market. The Committee notes that the curricula place a focus on the development of English language skills, computer and information systems skills. The Government recalls that a national employment plan, in addition to the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), were implemented during 2008–10, in collaboration with the ILO, but that these are now outdated and need to be reviewed to take account of recent changes in Yemen and address major challenges that the country is facing. The Government indicates that the current circumstances in the country have prevented it from developing employment policies, noting that the ILO reduced its interventions in Yemen due to the conflict. It calls on the ILO to expand its interventions in the country, resume the DWCP and provide assistance in the development of national employment policies. Noting the difficult situation the country has been facing since 2011, the Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to declare and implement an updated national employment policy. It also hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to report on the nature and extent of efforts being made to update technical vocational education and training curricula to ensure coordination between training and labour market needs, as well as on the results achieved in this regard. The Committee takes note of the Government’s request for technical assistance and hopes that the Office will provide the necessary support as soon as practicable.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

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, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous comments. The Government reports that the outcomes of the National Dialogue form the basis for its plan for 2018 and beyond. It adds that it has implemented a technical and vocational strategy in collaboration with the World Bank and other partners, but that it needs modern strategies and plans in the area of technical education. In this regard, the Government indicates that curricula are being developed, with the involvement of the social partners, to respond to the needs of the labour market. The Committee notes that the curricula place a focus on the development of English language skills, computer and information systems skills. The Government recalls that a national employment plan, in addition to the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), were implemented during 2008–10, in collaboration with the ILO, but that these are now outdated and need to be reviewed to take account of recent changes in Yemen and address major challenges that the country is facing. The Government indicates that the current circumstances in the country have prevented it from developing employment policies, noting that the ILO reduced its interventions in Yemen due to the conflict. It calls on the ILO to expand its interventions in the country, resume the DWCP and provide assistance in the development of national employment policies.Noting the difficult situation the country has been facing since 2011, the Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to declare and implement an updated national employment policy. It also hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to report on the nature and extent of efforts being made to update technical vocational education and training curricula to ensure coordination between training and labour market needs, as well as on the results achieved in this regard. The Committee takes note of the Government’s request for technical assistance and hopes that the Office will provide the necessary support as soon as practicable.

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

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous comments. The Government reports that the outcomes of the National Dialogue form the basis for its plan for 2018 and beyond. It adds that it has implemented a technical and vocational strategy in collaboration with the World Bank and other partners, but that it needs modern strategies and plans in the area of technical education. In this regard, the Government indicates that curricula are being developed, with the involvement of the social partners, to respond to the needs of the labour market. The Committee notes that the curricula place a focus on the development of English language skills, computer and information systems skills. The Government recalls that a national employment plan, in addition to the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), were implemented during 2008–10, in collaboration with the ILO, but that these are now outdated and need to be reviewed to take account of recent changes in Yemen and address major challenges that the country is facing. The Government indicates that the current circumstances in the country have prevented it from developing employment policies, noting that the ILO reduced its interventions in Yemen due to the conflict. It calls on the ILO to expand its interventions in the country, resume the DWCP and provide assistance in the development of national employment policies. Noting the difficult situation the country has been facing since 2011, the Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to declare and implement an updated national employment policy. It also hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to report on the nature and extent of efforts being made to update technical vocational education and training curricula to ensure coordination between training and labour market needs, as well as on the results achieved in this regard. The Committee takes note of the Government’s request for technical assistance and hopes that the Office will provide the necessary support as soon as practicable.

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

The Committee notes with regret 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 initially made in 2015. The Committee also notes that the Government has been requested to provide information to the Committee on the Application of Standards at the 106th Session of the International Labour Conference for failure to supply reports and information on the application of ratified Conventions.

Repetition

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in 2013 and 2014, including the reference made to the political circumstances that the country has been facing since February 2011. The Government underlines that all the political forces in the country succeeded in convening the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference (CNDC), which deliberated from March 2013 to January 2014. The Committee notes that the CNDC envisaged the adoption of an economy policy which would aim to strengthen the State’s economic capacities and develop the national economy; strengthen the productive basis of non-oil economic sectors; realize a balanced and just development in the allocation of internal and external resources with a view to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development; provide job opportunities; reduce poverty; develop the country’s infrastructure and services; and, improve the country’s economic capacity. The Committee is aware of the major difficulties the country is currently facing and it hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide information on the steps taken to declare and implement an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, in close consultation with the social partners.

Education and training policies. The Government indicates that the recommendations made by the Conference’s Working Group on Rights and Freedoms reflect the need to enact an administrative system in academic and technical institutions based on the principle of equal opportunity. The Committee also notes that the Conference’s Working Group on Comprehensive, Sustainable and Integrated Development recommended the expansion of high and vocational education, in addition to adopting educational curricula that would match the needs in skills and specializations required by the internal and external labour market. The Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide information on the measures taken to ensure coordination between education and training policies and employment opportunities.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

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, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in 2013 and 2014, including the reference made to the political circumstances that the country has been facing since February 2011. The Government underlines that all the political forces in the country succeeded in convening the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference (CNDC), which deliberated from March 2013 to January 2014. The Committee notes that the CNDC envisaged the adoption of an economy policy which would aim to strengthen the State’s economic capacities and develop the national economy; strengthen the productive basis of non-oil economic sectors; realize a balanced and just development in the allocation of internal and external resources with a view to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development; provide job opportunities; reduce poverty; develop the country’s infrastructure and services; and, improve the country’s economic capacity. The Committee is aware of the major difficulties the country is currently facing and it hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide information on the steps taken to declare and implement an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, in close consultation with the social partners.

Education and training policies. The Government indicates that the recommendations made by the Conference’s Working Group on Rights and Freedoms reflect the need to enact an administrative system in academic and technical institutions based on the principle of equal opportunity. The Committee also notes that the Conference’s Working Group on Comprehensive, Sustainable and Integrated Development recommended the expansion of high and vocational education, in addition to adopting educational curricula that would match the needs in skills and specializations required by the internal and external labour market. The Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide information on the measures taken to ensure coordination between education and training policies and employment opportunities.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in 2013 and 2014, including the reference made to the political circumstances that the country has been facing since February 2011. The Government underlines that all the political forces in the country succeeded in convening the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference (CNDC), which deliberated from March 2013 to January 2014. The Committee notes that the CNDC envisaged the adoption of an economy policy which would aim to strengthen the State’s economic capacities and develop the national economy; strengthen the productive basis of non-oil economic sectors; realize a balanced and just development in the allocation of internal and external resources with a view to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development; provide job opportunities; reduce poverty; develop the country’s infrastructure and services; and, improve the country’s economic capacity. The Committee is aware of the major difficulties the country is currently facing and it hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide information on the steps taken to declare and implement an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, in close consultation with the social partners.

Education and training policies. The Government indicates that the recommendations made by the Conference’s Working Group on Rights and Freedoms reflect the need to enact an administrative system in academic and technical institutions based on the principle of equal opportunity. The Committee also notes that the Conference’s Working Group on Comprehensive, Sustainable and Integrated Development recommended the expansion of high and vocational education, in addition to adopting educational curricula that would match the needs in skills and specializations required by the internal and external labour market. The Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide information on the measures taken to ensure coordination between education and training policies and employment opportunities.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Coordinating employment policy with poverty reduction. The Committee takes note of the Government’s report received in May 2012. The Government indicates that it adopted several measures aimed at creating jobs for the unemployed poor and increasing employment opportunities for poor women in rural and urban areas. These measures, which include training and rehabilitation opportunities for women and persons with disabilities, are achieved mainly through the Public Works Project and the National Programme for Productive Families and through programmes of the Social Fund for Development and the Small Industries Development Unit. The Government further reports that, according to the assessment report on the poverty reduction strategy, employed persons increased from 3,941 in 2002 to 4,049 in 2003 at a growth rate of 2.7 per cent. However, this increase was less than the labour force growth rate, estimated at 4 per cent per year of the overall number of employed persons. The 2009 final report of the Manpower Survey indicated an increase in the number of persons employed in the agriculture, hunting and forestry sectors, as they reached 1,927,748. The number of persons who earn their wages in monetary terms reached 1,329,768, and their percentage reached 88.2 per cent of the salaried employees; 93.1 per cent of them were men and 6.9 per cent were women. The Government also indicates that the number of persons who have not worked during the declared period of unemployment reached 469,001, of which 389,635 were men (83.1 per cent) and 79,366 were women (16.9 per cent). The rate of unemployment at the national level reached 11.5 per cent with the highest rate of 12.5 per cent for men compared to 8.2 per cent for women. The unemployment rate reached its highest level in the urban areas at 15.8 per cent, whereas it was 10 per cent in rural areas. The Committee recalls that Article 1(1) of the Convention requires States to declare and pursue, as a major goal, an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment. In its 2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments, the Committee recalled that the Convention creates a basic obligation on States to make an explicit formal pronouncement of their employment policy. This declaration may be considered an essential basis for a conscious effort to attain the goals of the Convention (see paragraphs 25–26 of the 2010 General Survey, also available in Arabic). The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the steps taken to declare an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, within a framework of a coordinated economic and social policy. It also invites the Government to provide more specific information on the impact of the measures taken to raise the participation rate of women in the formal economy and to create job opportunities in the rural sector.

Education and training policies. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the very high unemployment rate among young university and high school graduates (54 per cent and 44 per cent, respectively). It also noted that the Decent Work Country Programme 2008–10 pointed out the need to remedy the current disparity between the needs of the employment market and the training provided, by strengthening vocational training and specialized university education and by implementing programmes for specialized training in management and administration. The Committee again requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure coordination between education and training policies and employment opportunities.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in formulating and applying policies. In reply to the previous comments, the Government indicates that following the promulgation of the statute regulating its mandate, the Labour Council was re-established and made operational. It also indicates that cooperation will be ensured with the social partners and other partners including the Agricultural Cooperative Federation. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on consultations held on employment policies with representatives of workers and employers within the Labour Council and in the context of any other mechanism bringing together the social partners, specifying the manner in which the representatives of persons employed in the rural sector and the informal economy are associated in the consultations.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2014.]

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

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2008 direct request, which read as follows:

Repetition

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Coordinating employment policy with poverty reduction. The Committee takes note of the Government’s report received in October 2008 replying to the direct request of 2006. The Government indicates that a social safety net has been put in place in order to protect the poorest people. The coverage of health and education services has been expanded to contribute to reducing poverty and to give the whole population access to a decent standard of living. The Government also indicates that GDP growth was 4.6 per cent in 2005, and that, since 1998, the poverty rate has fallen by 6.5 per cent, with 35.3 per cent of the population being affected in 2005. The unemployment rate has, however, continued to rise (16 per cent of the population being out of work in 2005). According to data in Yemen’s Decent Work Country Programme paper for 2008–10, the steady rise in unemployment is due to rapid population growth (3 per cent per year) and the relatively recent entry of women into the employment market, and also to the limited number of employment opportunities. Unemployment particularly affects young people (28.3 per cent in the 15–24 age group) and women (around 40 per cent) (although they still account for only 21.8 per cent of the active population). The Committee notes that the strategic objectives of the third Poverty Reduction Plan 2006–10 coincide with those of the Decent Work Country Programme in that they seek to create jobs, improve social protection and secure better governance for sustainable development. The Committee hopes that in its next report the Government will provide information on the results obtained in employment in the context of the Poverty Reduction Plan 2006–10 and the implementation of the Decent Work Country Programme. It hopes that the Government will provide more specific information on the impact of the measures to raise the participation rate of women in the formal economy and to create job opportunities in the rural sector.

Education and training policies. The Committee notes the very high unemployment rate among young university and high school graduates (54 per cent and 44 per cent, respectively). It also notes that the Decent Work Country Programme points out the need to remedy the current disparity between the needs of the employment market and the training provided, by strengthening vocational training and specialized university education and by implementing programmes for specialized training in management and administration. Furthermore, the development of human capital is among the strategic objectives of the third Poverty Reduction Plan 2006–10. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure coordination between education and training policies and employment prospects.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in formulating and applying policies. The Government states that coordination with representatives of civil society on employment policy takes place through various workshops and symposia. In this connection a discussion was organized in May 2008 in Sanaa on poverty and poverty-related indicators in the Gulf countries in the light of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on consultations held on employment policies with representatives of the workers and employers in the Labour Council and in the context of any other mechanism bringing together the social partners, specifying the manner in which the representatives of persons employed in the rural sector and the informal economy are associated in the consultations. Further to its previous comments, the Committee also hopes that the Government will be in a position to indicate the results obtained by the measures taken in the context of the project to step up the role of the Labour Council, indicating in particular whether formal procedures have been established for consultations on the subjects covered by the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2008 direct request, which read as follows:

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Coordinating employment policy with poverty reduction. The Committee takes note of the Government’s report received in October 2008 replying to the direct request of 2006. The Government indicates that a social safety net has been put in place in order to protect the poorest people. The coverage of health and education services has been expanded to contribute to reducing poverty and to give the whole population access to a decent standard of living. The Government also indicates that GDP growth was 4.6 per cent in 2005, and that, since 1998, the poverty rate has fallen by 6.5 per cent, with 35.3 per cent of the population being affected in 2005. The unemployment rate has, however, continued to rise (16 per cent of the population being out of work in 2005). According to data in Yemen’s Decent Work Country Programme paper for 2008–10, the steady rise in unemployment is due to rapid population growth (3 per cent per year) and the relatively recent entry of women into the employment market, and also to the limited number of employment opportunities. Unemployment particularly affects young people (28.3 per cent in the 15–24 age group) and women (around 40 per cent) (although they still account for only 21.8 per cent of the active population). The Committee notes that the strategic objectives of the third Poverty Reduction Plan 2006–10 coincide with those of the Decent Work Country Programme in that they seek to create jobs, improve social protection and secure better governance for sustainable development. The Committee hopes that in its next report the Government will provide information on the results obtained in employment in the context of the Poverty Reduction Plan 2006–10 and the implementation of the Decent Work Country Programme. It hopes that the Government will provide more specific information on the impact of the measures to raise the participation rate of women in the formal economy and to create job opportunities in the rural sector.

2. Education and training policies. The Committee notes the very high unemployment rate among young university and high school graduates (54 per cent and 44 per cent, respectively). It also notes that the Decent Work Country Programme points out the need to remedy the current disparity between the needs of the employment market and the training provided, by strengthening vocational training and specialized university education and by implementing programmes for specialized training in management and administration. Furthermore, the development of human capital is among the strategic objectives of the third Poverty Reduction Plan 2006–10. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure coordination between education and training policies and employment prospects.

3. Article 3. Participation of the social partners in formulating and applying policies. The Government states that coordination with representatives of civil society on employment policy takes place through various workshops and symposia. In this connection a discussion was organized in May 2008 in Sanaa on poverty and poverty-related indicators in the Gulf countries in the light of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on consultations held on employment policies with representatives of the workers and employers in the Labour Council and in the context of any other mechanism bringing together the social partners, specifying the manner in which the representatives of persons employed in the rural sector and the informal economy are associated in the consultations. Further to its previous comments, the Committee also hopes that the Government will be in a position to indicate the results obtained by the measures taken in the context of the project to step up the role of the Labour Council, indicating in particular whether formal procedures have been established for consultations on the subjects covered by the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Coordinating employment policy with poverty reduction. The Committee takes note of the Government’s report received in October 2008 replying to the direct request of 2006. The Government indicates that a social safety net has been put in place in order to protect the poorest people. The coverage of health and education services has been expanded to contribute to reducing poverty and to give the whole population access to a decent standard of living. The Government also indicates that GDP growth was 4.6 per cent in 2005, and that, since 1998, the poverty rate has fallen by 6.5 per cent, with 35.3 per cent of the population being affected in 2005. The unemployment rate has, however, continued to rise (16 per cent of the population being out of work in 2005). According to data in Yemen’s Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) paper for 2008–10, the steady rise in unemployment is due to rapid population growth (3 per cent per year) and the relatively recent entry of women into the employment market, and also to the limited number of employment opportunities. Unemployment particularly affects young people (28.3 per cent in the 15–24 age group) and women (around 40 per cent) (although they still account for only 21.8 per cent of the active population). The Committee notes that the strategic objectives of the third Poverty Reduction Plan 2006–10 coincide with those of the DWCP in that they seek to create jobs, improve social protection and secure better governance for sustainable development. The Committee hopes that in its next report the Government will provide information on the results obtained in employment in the context of the Poverty Reduction Plan 2006–10 and the implementation of the DWCP. It hopes that the Government will provide more specific information on the impact of the measures to raise the participation rate of women in the formal economy and to create job opportunities in the rural sector.

2. Education and training policies. The Committee notes the very high unemployment rate among young university and high school graduates (54 per cent and 44 per cent, respectively). It also notes that the DWCP points out the need to remedy the current disparity between the needs of the employment market and the training provided, by strengthening vocational training and specialized university education and by implementing programmes for specialized training in management and administration. Furthermore, the development of human capital is among the strategic objectives of the third Poverty Reduction Plan 2006–10. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure coordination between education and training policies and employment prospects.

3. Article 3. Participation of the social partners in formulating and applying policies. The Government states that coordination with representatives of civil society on employment policy takes place through various workshops and symposia. In this connection a discussion was organized in May 2008 in Sanaa on poverty and poverty-related indicators in the Gulf countries in the light of the Millenium Development Goals (MDG). The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on consultations held on employment policies with representatives of the workers and employers in the Labour Council and in the context of any other mechanism bringing together the social partners, specifying the manner in which the representatives of persons employed in the rural sector and the informal economy are associated in the consultations. Further to its previous comments, the Committee also hopes that the Government will be in a position to indicate the results obtained by the measures taken in the context of the project to step up the role of the Labour Council, indicating in particular whether formal procedures have been established for consultations on the subjects covered by the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its reports received in October 2005 and September 2006, as well as the replies in response to its 2004 direct request.

1. Coordination of employment policy and poverty reduction. As in previous years, the Government refers to the Second Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2001-05) that outlines the main directions of the Government’s socio-economic policy. The Government indicates that the plan provides for 896,000 additional job opportunities resulting from economic growth in different sectors and it aims to decrease the unemployment rate from its current level of 11.9 per cent to 9.5 per cent. The Government indicates that the number of employed persons who earn monetary wages represents 88.2 per cent of all employed persons with wages, but only 6.9 per cent of those are women. The Government further states that it carried out a number of employment programmes and measures aimed at creating job opportunities for poor people and the unemployed, and increasing job opportunities for poor women in rural areas. These also include providing training and rehabilitation opportunities for these vulnerable groups. These objectives are being achieved through four main programmes, namely the Project on Public Works, the Social Fund for Development, the Unit on Small Enterprise Development and the National Programme for Productive Families. The Committee notes this information and hopes that the Government will supply information in its next report on the measures taken to ensure that employment, as a key element of poverty reduction, is central to macroeconomic and social policies. The Committee would also be grateful if the Government would provide detailed information on the results and the progress achieved with the implementation of the measures envisaged by the Second Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development and, in particular, indications on the results of the measures aimed at increasing the participation rate of women in the formal economy, as well as creating job opportunities for poor women in the rural sector. The Committee also asks the Government to inform it of the status of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, as well as any evaluation of the impact of its programmes to combat unemployment focusing on the most vulnerable groups (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention).

2. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and application of policies. The Government indicates that with respect to the role of the Labour Council and the coordination of policies with the social partners, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour submitted a project on activating the role of the Labour Council and on the creation and composition of a technical secretariat. It was submitted to the Minister of Social Affairs and Labour for examination, and to the Council of Ministers for promulgation. The Government indicates that, in due course, the Labour Council will coordinate employment policies in consultation with the social partners, in addition to involving other parties, such as the agricultural cooperative union. The Committee notes this information and hopes that the Government will be in a position to provide, in its next report, information concerning the consultations actually held with the representatives of all the persons affected by employment policies (Article 3). The Committee recalls in this regard that it is the joint responsibility of the Government and the representative organizations of employers and workers to ensure that representatives of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups of the active population are associated as closely as possible with the formulation and implementation of measures of which they should be the prime beneficiaries (see paragraph 493 of the General Survey of 2004 on promoting employment).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2002 direct request, which read as follows:

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. The Committee has learnt of the approval of a Second Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2001-05) that outlines the main directions of the Government’s socio-economic policy including the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) adopted by the Government within the framework of the agreements concluded with the World Bank and the IMF. The plan comprises the Population Work Programme, which seeks to ensure a better link between population and economic growth on the path to sustainable development through, inter alia, the reduction of demographic growth, the development of human resources and the expansion of job opportunities. The Committee would be grateful if the Government could provide in its next report information on the different policies and programmes being implemented including how they take into account the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment and equality of access to employment.

2. The Government states that it is still in the process of developing a database on labour market statistics. Further to its previous requests, the Committee again asks the Government to supply in its next report available statistics on trends in the labour market, including data concerning the size and distribution of the labour force and the nature and extent of unemployment and underemployment. Please also provide information on how employment policies and programmes are kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

3. Article 3. The Government indicates that since 2000 the Labour Council has not held any meetings and that cooperation between trade unions, employers and government bodies has been minimal. The Committee notes that under this important provision of the Convention the representatives of employers and workers must be consulted concerning employment policies "with a view to taking fully into account their experience and views and securing their full cooperation in formulating and enlisting support for such policies". Moreover, in view of the proportion of the active population, it would seem appropriate to also include workers in the rural sector and the informal economy in these consultations. The Committee asks the Government to develop these relationships as requested by the Convention and to describe in its next report the manner in which the consultation of all the "persons affected" is assured in practice on employment policy issues.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

The Committee notes the succinct information received in November 2002 in relation to its previous direct request.

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. The Committee has learnt of the approval of a Second Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2001-05) that outlines the main directions of the Government’s socio-economic policy including the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) adopted by the Government within the framework of the agreements concluded with the World Bank and the IMF. The plan comprises the Population Work Programme, which seeks to ensure a better link between population and economic growth on the path to sustainable development through,inter alia, the reduction of demographic growth, the development of human resources and the expansion of job opportunities. The Committee would be grateful if the Government could provide in its next report information on the different policies and programmes being implemented including how they take into account the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment and equality of access to employment.

2. The Government states that it is still in the process of developing a database on labour market statistics. Further to its previous requests, the Committee again asks the Government to supply in its next report available statistics on trends in the labour market, including data concerning the size and distribution of the labour force and the nature and extent of unemployment and underemployment. Please also provide information on how employment policies and programmes are kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

3. Article 3. The Government indicates that since 2000 the Labour Council has not held any meetings and that cooperation between trade unions, employers and government bodies has been minimal. The Committee notes that under this important provision of the Convention the representatives of employers and workers must be consulted concerning employment policies "with a view to taking fully into account their experience and views and securing their full cooperation in formulating and enlisting support for such policies". Moreover, in view of the proportion of the active population, it would seem appropriate to also include workers in the rural sector and the informal economy in these consultations. The Committee asks the Government to develop these relationships as requested by the Convention and to describe in its next report the manner in which the consultation of all the "persons affected" is assured in practice on employment policy issues.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s reply to the 1999 direct request.

1. Article 1 of the Convention. The Government states that the first five-year plan (1996-2000) succeeded in decreasing inflation, stabilizing local employment, decreasing the budget deficit, encouraging investment and creating new job opportunities. Much of the employment created was due to infrastructure investment. A draft programme on vocational training has been submitted to the Chamber of Deputies for final adoption. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on the content of the programme on vocational training, once it has been adopted, including disaggregated statistics on the number of participants and the subsequent rate of job placement. Please supply further information on other programmes which exist or are being formulated to promote employment, particularly for disadvantaged groups. Please also supply further information on how other policies, such as trade, monetary policy, and wages take into account the impact on employment promotion.

2. Article 2. The Government states that it is still in the process of developing a database on labour market statistics. The Committee hopes that the database will be completed soon and that the Government will be in a position to provide disaggregated statistics on trends in the labour market. Please also provide further information on how employment policies and programmes are kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

3. Article 3. The Committee notes with interest that a Labour Council was set up in 1997, which includes the presidents of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and of the Federation of Yemen Workers’ Unions. The Labour Council meets every three months and issues general policy guidelines concerning labour legislation, wages and other remuneration, social security, training, rehabilitation of workers and other labour issues related to the social partners. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on how these guidelines are taken into account in formulating, implementing and reviewing employment policies and programmes. Please also supply information on the manner in which consultations are held with representatives of other groups, such as rural and informal sector workers, and on the outcome of these consultations.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

In its report for the period ending May 1998, the Government states that there are 3,553,600 workers, 2,836,325 of which are male and 717,335 female. There are 324,618 unemployed persons, or 9 per cent of the labour force. The Committee notes this information. It also notes that the Government has established a database on the labour market, and would appreciate receiving more detailed information on the trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment, including information on particular categories of workers and sectors, as it becomes available, as requested in the report form under Article 1 of the Convention.

The Government explains that it has prepared a five-year plan (1996-2000) for employment promotion. Measures taken include reforming the financial and administrative system to decrease inflation, stabilize the currency, reduce the budget deficit and encourage investment; and enacting an Order to Establish a Labour Council, and preparing a draft Trade Union Act. It has promulgated a Social Care Act and created a social protection network to reduce the effects of structural reforms on the poor and prevent unemployment. It has also created a social development fund for loans and vocational training in support of small and medium enterprises, and an agricultural support fund which makes loans to small farmers. The Committee notes these various programmes with interest and would appreciate receiving further information on their impact on attaining the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment.

The Committee also notes the various measures taken to improve education and vocational training, including enacting legislation and establishing funds. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on the progress made in increasing the skills level of the labour force and coordinating education and training with labour market demands. It also asks the Government to specify the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that the vocational training programmes are equally available to both men and women.

The Government states that legislation has been adopted and various programmes developed in consultation with the social partners and non-governmental organizations. The Committee notes this information and asks the Government to continue to specify the manner in which representatives of employers' and workers' organizations and rural and informal sector workers are consulted concerning the development and review of employment policies within a framework of coordinated economic and social policy, as required by Article 3, in conjunction with Article 2.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes with interest the Government's first report on the application of the Convention, dated 21 February 1994. It notes that the Government refers to the principles of the right to freely chosen employment without discrimination enshrined in the Constitution, but notes that these principles are not explicitly set out in the new Constitution of November 1994. The Committee also notes the provisions of the Labour Code of 1970 respecting the equal right of all persons to work, but understands that a draft text of a new Labour Code is currently under examination. It would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether new legislative texts provide for freedom of choice of employment and equality of opportunity and treatment in access to employment, in accordance with the provisions of Article 1, paragraph 2(c), of the Convention, and taking into account the comments made by the Committee concerning the application of Conventions Nos. 29 and 111.

2. The Committee notes the data concerning the sectoral distribution of employment and the statement that the country is experiencing a high level of unemployment as a result of the repatriation of a large number of migrant workers in the Gulf States. It hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide more detailed statistics on the volume and distribution of employment, unemployment and underemployment by region, sex, age and skills level. The Committee notes with interest in this respect that a census of the population was planned during the course of 1994 in order to provide a basis for the studies needed in the preparation of the first Five-year Economic and Social Development Plan, 1996-2000.

3. The Government states that, in parallel with the preparation of this Development Plan, the programme that it submitted in July 1993 for approval by Parliament is designed to promote the creation of new paid jobs and to combat unemployment by giving priority to labour-intensive projects, promoting national and international investment, particularly in tax free zones, and by promoting employment in agriculture, fishing and domestic work. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the measures which have been adopted or are envisaged in order to achieve these objectives, in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention, with an indication of the specific difficulties encountered and the results achieved. The Committee notes the Government's indications concerning its policy objectives for education and training and also requests it to provide information on the measures adopted under this policy.

4. The Government provides information in its report on the participation of employers' and workers' organizations in the preparation of draft legislation respecting employment. The Committee emphasizes in this respect that the consultations required under the terms of Article 3 of the Convention are not confined to the legislative aspect of employment policies and that, in addition to the representatives of employers and workers, they should also include representatives of other "persons affected", such as those working in the rural sector and the informal sector, "with a view to taking fully into account their experience and views and securing their full cooperation in formulating and enlisting support for such policies". It would be grateful if the Government would indicate any procedures which have been adopted or are envisaged in order to give full effect to this fundamental provision of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes with interest the Government's first report on the application of the Convention, dated 21 February 1994. It notes that the Government refers to the principles of the right to freely chosen employment without discrimination enshrined in the Constitution, but notes that these principles are not explicitly set out in the new Constitution of November 1994. The Committee also notes the provisions of the Labour Code of 1970 respecting the equal right of all persons to work, but understands that a draft text of a new Labour Code is currently under examination. It would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether new legislative texts provide for freedom of choice of employment and equality of opportunity and treatment in access to employment, in accordance with the provisions of Article 1, paragraph 2(c), of the Convention, and taking into account the comments made by the Committee concerning the application of Conventions Nos. 29 and 111.

2. The Committee notes the data concerning the sectoral distribution of employment and the statement that the country is experiencing a high level of unemployment as a result of the repatriation of a large number of migrant workers in the Gulf States. It hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide more detailed statistics on the volume and distribution of employment, unemployment and underemployment by region, sex, age and skills level. The Committee notes with interest in this respect that a census of the population was planned during the course of 1994 in order to provide a basis for the studies needed in the preparation of the first Five-year Economic and Social Development Plan, 1996-2000.

3. The Government states that, in parallel with the preparation of this Development Plan, the programme that it submitted in July 1993 for approval by Parliament is designed to promote the creation of new paid jobs and to combat unemployment by giving priority to labour-intensive projects, promoting national and international investment, particularly in tax free zones, and by promoting employment in agriculture, fishing and domestic work. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the measures which have been adopted or are envisaged in order to achieve these objectives, in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention, with an indication of the specific difficulties encountered and the results achieved. The Committee notes the Government's indications concerning its policy objectives for education and training and also requests it to provide information on the measures adopted under this policy.

4. The Government provides information in its report on the participation of employers' and workers' organizations in the preparation of draft legislation respecting employment. The Committee emphasizes in this respect that the consultations required under the terms of Article 3 of the Convention are not confined to the legislative aspect of employment policies and that, in addition to the representatives of employers and workers, they should also include representatives of other "persons affected", such as those working in the rural sector and the informal sector, "with a view to taking fully into account their experience and views and securing their full cooperation in formulating and enlisting support for such policies". It would be grateful if the Government would indicate any procedures which have been adopted or are envisaged in order to give full effect to this fundamental provision of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

1. The Committee notes with interest the Government's first report on the application of the Convention, dated 21 February 1994. It notes that the Government refers to the principles of the right to freely chosen employment without discrimination enshrined in the Constitution, but notes that these principles are not explicitly set out in the new Constitution of November 1994. The Committee also notes the provisions of the Labour Code of 1970 respecting the equal right of all persons to work, but understands that a draft text of a new Labour Code is currently under examination. It would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether new legislative texts provide for freedom of choice of employment and equality of opportunity and treatment in access to employment, in accordance with the provisions of Article 1, paragraph 2(c), of the Convention, and taking into account the comments made by the Committee concerning the application of Conventions Nos. 29 and 111.

2. The Committee notes the data concerning the sectoral distribution of employment and the statement that the country is experiencing a high level of unemployment as a result of the repatriation of a large number of migrant workers in the Gulf States. It hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide more detailed statistics on the volume and distribution of employment, unemployment and underemployment by region, sex, age and skills level. The Committee notes with interest in this respect that a census of the population was planned during the course of 1994 in order to provide a basis for the studies needed in the preparation of the first Five-year Economic and Social Development Plan, 1996-2000.

3. The Government states that, in parallel with the preparation of this Development Plan, the programme that it submitted in July 1993 for approval by Parliament is designed to promote the creation of new paid jobs and to combat unemployment by giving priority to labour-intensive projects, promoting national and international investment, particularly in tax free zones, and by promoting employment in agriculture, fishing and domestic work. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the measures which have been adopted or are envisaged in order to achieve these objectives, in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention, with an indication of the specific difficulties encountered and the results achieved. The Committee notes the Government's indications concerning its policy objectives for education and training and also requests it to provide information on the measures adopted under this policy.

4. The Government provides information in its report on the participation of employers' and workers' organizations in the preparation of draft legislation respecting employment. The Committee emphasizes in this respect that the consultations required under the terms of Article 3 of the Convention are not confined to the legislative aspect of employment policies and that, in addition to the representatives of employers and workers, they should also include representatives of other "persons affected", such as those working in the rural sector and the informal sector, "with a view to taking fully into account their experience and views and securing their full cooperation in formulating and enlisting support for such policies". It would be grateful if the Government would indicate any procedures which have been adopted or are envisaged in order to give full effect to this fundamental provision of the Convention.