CMNT_TITLE

Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report received in October 2008 including detailed replies to its 2007 observation. The Government reports on the adoption of a new Labour Code by Act No. 23 of 1 August 2007 and the implementation of the Employment and Vocational Training Strategy (EEFP). The Committee notes with interest that the EEFP was adopted as the guiding instrument for government policy up to 2015. By implementing the EEFP the Government intends to strengthen the role of the State in the promotion and monitoring of actions aimed at protecting vulnerable groups. The EEFP also advocates the maximization of the employment variable in all development programmes and projects aimed at combating absolute poverty; increasing employment-creation and income-generation opportunities for the population; the introduction of vocational information and guidance to maximize equality among jobseekers in terms of potential and capacities, and improving the operation of the employment services working alongside the private employment agencies. The Committee further notes that the ILO is contributing to the implementation of the EEFP through the “Working out of Poverty” (WOOP) programme developed to promote decent work, greater awareness and application of international labour standards, the strengthening of social dialogue and income-generating opportunities for designated target groups. The Committee welcomes this approach and looks forward to examining in the Government’s next report further information on how the EEFP has improved employment opportunities and where it has failed to meet these expectations.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Coordination of employment policy with poverty reduction. From data available in the ILO, the Committee notes that the level of unemployment remains very high. In 2004–05, the urban population had an employment rate of 31 per cent and the unemployment rate in the rural areas was 13 per cent. The Government states in its report that the economy of Mozambique has shown impressive and encouraging signs of recovery over the last ten years and prospects for the future are extremely promising. However, the enormous challenge that unemployment poses, together with the high levels of poverty in the country, demonstrate that a large segment of the population is not benefiting from the economic recovery. The Committee notes that the plan of action for the Reduction of Absolute Poverty Programme (PARPA) would be finalized in 2009. The Committee asks the Government once again to provide information in its next report on the results of the implementation of PARPA. It reiterates its interest to examine information on the extent to which economic growth translates into the creation of lasting employment and poverty reduction for the most vulnerable workers, such as women, young workers and those in the informal sector.

Women. The Committee notes that, according to the available data, the unemployment rate for women (22 per cent) is much higher than that of men (15 per cent) and that their levels of educational attainment are very low compared to those among men. Furthermore, women appear to be affected by HIV/AIDS by a much higher percentage. The Committee asks the Government to include information in its next report on the efforts made to improve the employment situation of women, especially in rural areas, with particular reference to the measures which are being implemented under PARPA.

Youth employment. The Committee notes the high level of youth unemployment, particularly in urban areas where it stands at 57 per cent for persons aged 20–24. The Committee understands that active employment measures targeted at newly graduated young people and young workers are being implemented and that a special focus on youth has been placed in the context of local initiatives for developing training and employment opportunities supported through cooperation with district governments. The Government is invited to include in its next report information on the implementation of measures and programmes at the national and local levels aimed at supporting the social inclusion and labour market integration of young workers.

Article 2(a). Collection and use of employment data. The Government reports that various public and private sector institutions, coordinated by the Ministry of Labour, are responsible for collating information on the labour market. However, due to lack of resources and a shortage of qualified staff, the accuracy of the data currently available is not satisfactory. The Government indicates that the Labour Market Information System has now been set up, which will allow analysis of data concerning economic growth and jobs created under the EEFP. The Committee invites the Government to include statistics on the situation and trends on employment in its next report, and to specify how these statistics are used in deciding on, and reviewing, employment policy measures.

Education and vocational training. In reply to previous comments, the Government indicates that the school network has been expanded on an unprecedented scale and there is now access to general, vocational and higher education in all provinces and districts. In this regard, the Committee notes the adoption of the Education Sector Strategic Plan, which aims at widening access to education and vocational training and at modernizing the technical vocational schools, bringing curricula and programmes in line with economic realities, so as to establish strong links with the productive sector. The Committee further notes that, under the Integrated Programme for Vocational Education Reform (PIREP), a Skills Development Fund (FUNDEC) has been created to support technical and vocational training projects in public and private sector institutions and community organizations at the district level. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on the results of the measures implemented under PIREP.

Workers in the informal economy. Support to small-sized and micro-enterprises and to cooperatives. Concerning the measures taken under the EEFP to promote employment creation through micro-, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and to integrate informal economic activities into the formal sector, the Committee notes the establishment of an MSME Development Fund coordinated by the Ministry of Planning and Finance, the introduction of fiscal incentives as well as the wider access to government procurement schemes granted to local enterprises. The Committee also notes that the Government refers in its report to the adoption of active employment measures supporting associations and cooperatives in the field of production in order to favour, inter alia, the social inclusion of the vulnerable members of the population. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide such information on the measures taken to improve the legislative and regulatory basis for micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises and cooperatives, as well as on efforts made to shift activities from the informal economy to the formal economy.

Article 3. Participation of social partners in the formulation and application of policies. In reply to previous comments, the Government states that the active participation of representatives of workers’ organizations in the formulation of the employment policy has contributed to labour market flexibility and the promotion of fair labour conditions while strengthening social dialogue on issues related to employment and vocational training. Social partners participate in the mobilization of resources for the creation of an Employment and Vocational Training Fund as well as in the establishment of a Vocational Training Centre for Metalwork. They are also actively involved in the campaign for the adoption of new legislation to protect the rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS. The Committee would appreciate if the Government would continue to provide information on the participation of social partners in the formulation of the employment policy as well as on their involvement in the activities of vocational education and training institutions. Please also indicate the measures taken or contemplated to involve, in the consultations required by the Convention, the representatives of other sectors of the active population, such as persons working in the rural sector and in the informal economy.