Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Algeria (Ratification: 1984)

The Committee notes the observations of the General Confederation of Algerian Enterprises (CGEA) and the General Confederation of Employers (CGP), received with the Government’s report. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this regard.

Article 1 of the Convention. Development and implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates in its report that the national policy on vocational training is based on continuous research, allowing for the adaptation of the vocational training and education sector to changes in the labour market, which require new vocations and skills. The Government adds that it has implemented an information strategy to attract young people, as well as the general public, to the training opportunities and occupations offered by institutions in the vocational training and education sector. This mechanism aims to offer students in their fourth year of secondary education the option of following a vocational path (vocational training or education). For training through apprenticeship, the Government reports that, in June 2018, it introduced a new guidance and placement mechanism for apprentices, with the involvement of employers’ organizations. The Government indicates that training through apprenticeship has increased, accounting for 55.54 per cent of training, compared to classroom training leading to a qualification. Regarding vocational training, the Government adds that, in 2017, training was provided to 300,000 interns and apprentices, of whom 352 were persons with disabilities. With regard to vocational education, 833 new students were enrolled in the training courses that provided for 850 training positions, representing a rate of student inclusion of 98 per cent. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed and updated information on the manner in which it ensures effective coordination between the vocational guidance and training programmes implemented, and between employment and public employment services (Article 1(1)–(4) of the Convention). The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide updated information, including statistics disaggregated by age and sex, on the general, technical and vocational education and guidance systems and vocational training, and their impact on access to employment for the beneficiaries of these systems.

Article 3(1). Extension of systems of vocational training to persons in difficulty. The Government indicates that, as part of the national policy for the equal access of all social groups to vocational training, the Ministry of Vocational Training and Education has taken measures to meet the specific needs of persons with physical disabilities. In 2014, the Government concluded a second framework agreement with the aim of improving the social and vocational integration of persons with disabilities with a qualification from the vocational training and education sector through the National Agency for the Management of Microcredits in Algeria, from which 564 trainees with disabilities have benefited from microcredits in the areas of handicrafts, poultry farming, hairdressing, carpentry, etc. Furthermore, a memorandum of understanding on the employment of persons with disabilities for the year 2018 was concluded with ministries and labour organizations that aims to develop activities for the employment and retention of persons with disabilities, combine efforts to better support their careers and create the necessary conditions for their sustainable integration into enterprises. Regarding the employment of women, the Government indicates that the Ministry for National Solidarity, the Family and Women promotes the integration of women into the labour market by supporting women’s entrepreneurship. Women make up 62.98 per cent of the beneficiaries of the microcredits granted by the National Agency for the Management of Microcredits, particularly in the areas of food processing, apparel and handicrafts. In addition, 5,254 women benefited from the Graduate Social Assistance Scheme, and 107,036 benefited from the Social Integration Activities Scheme. The Government refers to the development of an inter sectoral action programme for the period 2015–19 for the advancement of women residing in rural areas, which provides, inter alia, for their integration into working life and economic development, as well as the promotion and marketing of their local products. In this context, 783 projects have been launched in rural municipalities. The Committee notes, however, that the Government has not provided information in response to its previous comments concerning housewives. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the impact of the various programmes. More specifically, the Committee invites the Government to describe the measures in place enabling women to choose freely their training and employment. The Committee also invites the Government to report the training measures for persons with disabilities affording them the opportunity to choose their employment freely.

Article 5. Cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes the observations of the CGEA referring to the conclusion of agreements with universities for the integration of young graduates into the world of work, thus improving their employability. The Committee also notes that, in its observations, the CGP indicates that it concluded a framework agreement with the Ministry of Vocational Training and Education for the period 2015–2019, which provides for the training of many young people in the areas of construction, public works and hydraulic engineering. The CGP has also concluded a new framework agreement with the Ministry of National Solidarity, the Family and Women for the employment of persons with disabilities and those with specific needs. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the manner in which it ensures collaboration with employers’ and workers’ organizations for the development and implementation of vocational guidance policies and programmes and the results of this collaboration.