Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2003, publiée 92ème session CIT (2004)

1. In a report received in June 2002, the Government puts into perspective the various youth employment measures adopted over the years: the implementation in 1997 of a youth employment programme (PEJ); the adoption in 1990 of a system of measures for the vocational integration of young persons (DIPJ); and the establishment in 1996 of the National Youth Employment Support Agency (ANSEJ). It indicates that in recent years the principal measures to combat unemployment and poverty have been based on microcredit and labour-intensive public works. Finally, it refers to a programme to support economic recovery during the period 2001-04, with such recovery appearing essential to reduce unemployment, the rate of which was established at 27.3 per cent in the third quarter of 2001 by the National Statistical Office. The Government finally refers to the reorganization and modernization of the National Employment Agency (ANEM), envisaged during a bipartite meeting between the Government and the General Federation of Algerian Workers (UGTA), held on 13 October 2001. In its previous comments, the Committee expressed its concern over whether "an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment" was effectively pursued "as a major goal" and "within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy" (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention). It trusts that the Government will provide information in its next report to demonstrate that the measures adopted or envisaged in the fields of investment policy, fiscal and monetary policies, industrial and regional development policies and prices, incomes and wages policies contribute to the achievement of the objectives set out in the Convention. It would also be grateful if the Government would provide information on the measures adopted to respond fully to the demand for jobs from underprivileged categories of workers, and particularly women, young persons, workers affected by natural disasters or enterprise restructuring, and persons with disabilities.

2. The Committee regrets that the Government has not provided the information requested in the report form on the manner in which the consultations with the representatives of the persons affected, as required by Article 3 of the Convention, are ensured in practice. It is bound to emphasize once again the importance that it attaches to full effect being given to this essential provision of the Convention, particularly in a situation of very high and persistent unemployment.

3. Finally, the Committee refers to the observation that it is making this year concerning the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), the application of which can contribute to the employment promotion objectives set out in Convention No. 122. It trusts that the preparation of a full report on Convention No. 122 will provide an opportunity for the Government and the social partners to evaluate the measures adopted to achieve the objective of full, productive and freely chosen employment. It reminds the Government that it may request the technical assistance of the Office for the implementation of an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention.