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

1. Article 1 of the Convention. Coordination of employment policy with poverty reduction. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in May 2008 in reply to the 2007 observation. The Government indicates in particular that, for the first time since the country’s independence, structures have been established in Djibouti in 2008 for the organization and development of the employment market. The Committee notes with interest the creation, by Act No. 203/AN/07/5thL of 22 December 2007, of the National Employment, Training and Vocational Integration Agency (ANEFIP), which is responsible for implementing national policies and programmes relating to employment, vocational training and vocational integration. The Committee also notes the adoption of Act No. 211/AN/07/5thL of 27 December 2007 creating the Djibouti Social Development Agency (ADDS), which has the task of contributing to the eradication of poverty among vulnerable groups and reducing disparities between regions. With regard to the employment situation, the unemployment rate is estimated at 60 per cent of the active population and young people are particularly affected. Furthermore, 75 per cent of workers are employed in the informal economy. The Government intends, in the context of the implementation of the poverty reduction strategy, to promote labour-intensive activities, vocational training, the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and microfinance. With regard to microfinance, funding given to women’s organizations seems to have met with some success. The Committee hopes that the Government will provide information in its next report on the results achieved by the ANEFIP and ADDS to implement an employment promotion and poverty reduction strategy, including updated quantitative information on the development of the programmes put in place to promote the objectives of the Convention.

2. Article 2. Collection and use of employment data. The Government indicates that the development of information on employment is one of the tasks of the newly created ANEFIP. To that end, section 32 of Act No. 203/AN/07/5thL provides for the creation of an Employment and Qualifications Observatory. The Observatory will be responsible in particular for establishing an employment database and carrying out specific surveys in this field. The Committee trusts that the Government will provide information in its next report on the progress made by the Employment and Qualifications Observatory in collecting data on employment as well as on the employment policy measures adopted following the establishment of the new labour market information systems.

3. Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes with interest the creation of the National Labour, Employment and Vocational Training Council which, in accordance with section 3 of Decree No. 2008-0023/PR/MESN of 20 January 2008 regulating the organization and operation of the Council, has as its task “to study problems linked to work, workforce movements, guidance, employment and vocational training, placement, migration, social security and health and safety in enterprises”. According to the same provision of the abovementioned Decree, the Council is “a tripartite body and a unique framework in which the Government and the social partners will be able, freely and openly, to exchange ideas and experiences in the fields of work, employment, vocational training and social security”. Furthermore, the Government indicates that representative organizations of workers and employers were involved in establishing the ANEFIP. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on any consultations held on employment policies in the newly created National Labour, Employment and Vocational Training Council.

4. Part V of the report form. ILO technical assistance. The Committee notes that, under the ILO’s Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) in Djibouti for 2008–12, priority is given to job creation, with particular emphasis on women and young people, and to access to employment through vocational training. In this regard, the Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report the results achieved during the implementation of the DWCP in terms of job creation.