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

Social Policy (Basic Aims and Standards) Convention, 1962 (No. 117) - Central African Republic (Ratification: 1964)

Other comments on C117

Observation

Direct Request

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Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. General principles. Improvement of standards of living. The Government indicates that constant efforts have been made to progressively implement the National Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan for the Central African Republic (RCPCA), through Pillar One relating to the restoration of peace, security and reconciliation. These efforts have been carried out with the support of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and have allowed for the recovery of most of the regions previously occupied by armed groups. It also indicates that the Armed Forces of the Central African Republic have been deployed for the restoration of State authority in order to ensure the security of the population and the most vulnerable social groups with a view to social well-being. The Government adds that efforts are being pursued in the territory to secure the country, based on the Political Peace Agreement signed on 6 February 2019 with the leaders of the armed groups, setting out the obligations of each of the signatory parties in favour of a lasting social peace throughout the national territory. As part of the implementation of Pillar Two relating to the social contract between the State and the population, the Government indicates that innovations and reforms have been carried out in the area of social services relating to health and education for the well-being of vulnerable social groups throughout the country to effectively combat the effects of widespread poverty. In this regard, the Government states that it has adopted Decree No. 19.037 of 15 February 2019 on targeted free medical care in all health establishments for vulnerable social groups, such as children up to 5 years of age, women who are breastfeeding and women who are victims of gender-based violence. It adds that a national education plan has been developed in cooperation with technical and financial partners, such as the World Bank, the European Union and other partners involved in the Central African education system. The plan took into account issues related to the construction of new school buildings that had been vandalized and pillaged by armed groups during the successive military-political crises in the country, including the training and recruitment of teachers for the public service to ensure quality education. The Government reports the relaunch of social dialogue with partners and the establishment of a standing framework for consultation and negotiations between the Government and the central trade unions, on the one hand, and the joint consultation framework for improving the business climate in the private sector, on the other. It indicates that the examination of the Bill issuing the agricultural-pastoral land code is under way and is generating reactions among all the actors concerned by this issue. It adds that this Bill will be transmitted to the Committee after its final adoption by the National Assembly. The Government also indicates the willingness of the authorities to progressively implement the RCPCA and the objectives of Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention to ensure a social policy focused on the well-being and development of the population at all levels of economic and social life, especially vulnerable groups such as women, young persons, children and persons with disabilities. To this end, it states that as part of the integration of young people into the public service in 2019, a quota of ten per cent has been reserved for job seekers with disabilities who are qualified to access the public labour market. In addition, the Committee notes the various stages of the process to set up a National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM) for public servants and officials with ILO technical support. While recognizing the complexity of the situation on the ground, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated and detailed information on the way in which the implementation of the RCPCA enables the pursuit of the objectives of the Convention, which provides, in Articles 1 and 2, that “all policies shall be primarily directed to the well-being of the population”, including vulnerable groups, such as women, young persons, children and persons with disabilities. It also requests the Government to indicate the impact of Decree No. 19.037 of 15 February 2019 and to provide a copy. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on any developments relating to the adoption of the Bill on agricultural land and the establishment of the CNAM with ILO technical support.

Article 12. Remuneration of workers. The Government indicates that the remuneration of workers governed by the Labour Code is carried out based on negotiable wage scales in collective labour agreements and collective enterprise agreements that take into account the legal provisions set forth in the Labour Code. It states that arrangements for the repayment of advances on wages are determined by consensus between the contracting parties to the above agreements. The Committee once again recalls that in accordance with Article 12 of the Convention, maximum amounts and manner of repayment of advances on wages shall be regulated by the competent authority. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed and updated information on any regulations relating to measures taken or envisaged to determine the maximum amounts and manner of repayment of advances on wages, in conformity with Article 12(2) and (3). It once again requests the Government to provide information on any developments relating to the Order on the repayment of advances on wages and to provide a copy once it has been adopted.