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Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Mauritius (Ratification: 2004)

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Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee takes note of the supplementary information provided by the Government in light of the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 338th Session (June 2020). The Committee proceeded with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the supplementary information received from the Government this year (see articles 1(2) and 10 below), as well as on the basis of the information at its disposal in 2019.

Articles 1(2) and 6 of the Convention. Contribution of the national public employment service to employment. Encouraging full use of employment service facilities. The Committee takes note of the Government’s indication that the Employment Service, operating under the Ministry of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training (MLHRDT) is in the process of drafting a National Employment Policy with the participation of the social partners. It further notes that the Government Programme 2015-2019 provides for the creation of a National Employment Agency, to be referred to as the National Employment Department (NED). The Committee notes that section 4 of the 2017 National Employment Act (NEA) provides for the creation of the NED; however, the Government indicates that the NEA has not yet been promulgated. The Government adds that actions have nevertheless already been initiated in the areas of training, restructuring of employment information centres and provision of equipment. In this regard, the Committee notes with interest the range of measures taken by the Government to promote employment. The Committee notes that the Youth Employment Programme (YEP), launched by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development in 2013, was transferred to the MLHRDT in February 2015. The YEP aims to assist young persons between the ages of 16 and 35 to obtain training and placement in employment. In its supplementary report, the Government reports that, as of 31 August 2020, the YEP had registered 37,599 young people and placed 23,628 in employment, out of which 10,699 (45 per cent) were men, compared to 12,929 (55 per cent) women. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that female unemployment in Mauritius is approximately twice that of male unemployment. Accordingly, in 2015, the MLHRDT introduced the Back to Work Programme (BTW) for women over the age of 35 to help them enter or re-enter the labour force. The BTW provides eligible participants with a paid one-year placement and training opportunities. As of 31 August 2020, the BTW programme had 4,723 women registered in its database and had placed 1,265 in employment. A Dual Training Programme (DTP) was also introduced in 2015, which consists of a mix of practical on-the-job training and classroom studies. The Government indicates that DTP courses are selected and designed according to the specific needs of employers, with industry associations and training institutions collaborating in designing and developing diploma/degree courses to be offered on a dual basis. The Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) subsidizes 50 per cent of the training costs up to Rs 50,000 per year for each trainee, as well as refunding a monthly stipend of Rs 6,000 per trainee for up to three years. As of 31 August 2020, 46 companies were participating in the DTP and 264 trainees had been placed. Moreover, the Government launched a Trainee Engineer Scheme (TES) in September 2016. The supplementary information provided by the Government indicates that the BTW has registered 4,723 women and placed 1,265 in employment. The Committee recalls that the public employment service is one of the necessary institutions to ensure the realization of full employment. In conjunction with the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181), Convention No. 88 forms a necessary building block for employment growth (2010 General Survey concerning employment instruments, paras. 785–790). The Committee requests the Government to communicate information on the current status of the National Employment Policy and to transmit a copy as soon as it is adopted. It further requests the Government to provide updated information with regard to the establishment of the National Employment Department upon promulgation of the National Employment Act, 2017, as well as with respect to other measures taken to build institutions for the realization of full employment. The Committee also invites the Government, in consultation with the social partners, to consider the possibility of ratifying the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), a priority governance instrument which, taken together with the constellation of employment instruments provides a framework for the realization of the right to work and education for all (2010 General Survey, paragraph 789).

Articles 4 and 5. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes that section 12 of the NEA provides for the creation of a National Employment Advisory Committee, which will include representatives from workers’ and employers’ organizations, to advise the Minister on employment-related matters such as: employment policies and strategies; training and placement schemes; labour market trends; linkages between education and training systems and the workplace; and measures to reduce mismatches between demand and supply of labour. Nevertheless, the Government reports that the NEA, adopted in October 2017, has not yet been promulgated and that, as a result, the Committee has not yet been established. The Committee also notes that the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF) has revamped its Training and Placement Programme and is focusing on education, health, training and employment, and family empowerment as its main areas of intervention. The Committee trusts that the Government will take the necessary measures to ensure the adoption of the NEA and the establishment of the National Employment Advisory Committee without delay, and requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard. In addition, the Committee invites the Government to continue to provide updated detailed information regarding the activities of the NEF and consultations with the social partners relevant to the operation of the public employment service.

Article 8. Special arrangements for young persons. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it has entrusted its Human Resource Development Council with the responsibility of implementing a National Skills Development Programme as well as a Graduate Training for Employment Scheme, both of which aim to reduce unemployment among young persons. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information, including statistical data disaggregated by age and sex, on the nature, activities and outcomes of these programmes and their impact on opportunities for young persons to secure decent and lasting employment. It further requests the Government to provide information in relation to other measures taken or envisaged to give effect to this Article of the Convention.

Article 10. Encouraging full use of employment service facilities. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on measures taken to disseminate information on vacancies available at the level of the employment service through the Citizen Advice Bureaux (CAB), Youth Centres, Centres for Women and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) throughout the island. It also notes the television programme “Magazine de l’Emploi et des Métiers » launched in October 2014, which disseminates information on vacancies in different economic sectors. The Committee invites the Government to continue to communicate information concerning the manner in which effect is given to this Article of the Convention.

Article 11. Cooperation with private employment agencies. The Committee notes the information communicated by the Government indicating that, as of 18 July 2019, 62 private recruitment agencies were licensed to carry out recruitment functions. The Government adds that these agencies are inspected monthly by officers of the Public Employment Service. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the nature and impact of specific measures taken to ensure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Articles 1(2) and 10 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment services to employment promotion. The Committee takes note of the report received in August 2014 indicating that the Electronic Labour Exchange launched in 2007 no longer satisfied the expectations of various stakeholders and has therefore been replaced by an interactive website: www.mauritiusjobs.mu. The Government reports that the new website aims essentially at addressing the present needs and exigencies of both employers and registered jobseekers, while providing a user-friendly platform. Users based locally and internationally may use the website. Cooperation programmes have been initiated and agreements finalized with several countries. The Committee also notes with interest that a Youth Employment Program (YEP) was initiated in January 2013 and that a joint public–private initiative called the Skills Working Group (SWG) was established for the purposes of its implementation. As of August 2013, 8,480 young people were listed in the YEP’s database and 1,994 had been placed in companies. The Committee invites the Government to describe any arrangements made nationally or locally in cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations to encourage full voluntary use of employment service facilities.

Articles 4 and 5. Participation of social partners. The Committee notes that the services provided by the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF) aim to enhance employability through jobseekers’ training and placement and encourage entrepreneurship among unemployed women. Through the Placement and Training Programme, the NEF contributes financially to the costs of training and remuneration of trainees. Registered candidates are listed on the Empowerment Programme Initiative Platform, a database that allows employers to recruit trainees therewith. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information regarding the activities of the NEF and the social partners on the operation of the employment service.

Article 11. Cooperation with private employment agencies. The Committee refers to its 2008 direct request and, once again, invites the Government to provide detailed information on effective cooperation established between the public employment service and private employment agencies.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

The Committee notes the Government’s report, including statistical information and replies to the comments made in 2007, received in August 2009. The Committee further notes the comments from the Mauritius Employers’ Federation included in the Government’s report.

1. Articles 1, paragraph 2, and 10, of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes that, since 2007, 13 employment information centres are connected through an online labour market information system and an electronic labour exchange has become operational. Information on services and facilities is further disseminated through the telephone hotline Audiotex and broadcasts of vacancies on national TV. The Committee welcomes continuing to receive information on the activities of the public employment service which contribute to the achievement and maintenance of full employment and the development and use of productive resources together with relevant statistics. Please also indicate any arrangements made in cooperation with the social partners to encourage full use of employment service facilities.

2. Articles 4 and 5. Participation of social partners. The Committee notes that the Employment Promotion Advisory Committee (EPAC) has not been created. The Government reports that the functions of the EPAC are being exercised by the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF). The NEF tasks encompass, inter alia, the creation of employment, through tripartite subcommittees charged with exploring possible employment and training opportunities in different sectors, including employment abroad. The Committee invites the Government to provide further information regarding the work of the NEF and the social partners on the development operation of the employment service.

3. Article 11. Cooperation with private employment agencies. The Committee notes that private employment agencies are obliged to carry a licence and that they are regularly inspected by the employment service, which includes the examination of draft employment contracts and measures to ensure that fair conditions of employment are given to Mauritian workers abroad. The Committee would welcome further particulars, including practical examples, on the effective cooperation established between the public employment service and private employment agencies. It invites the Government to consider the provisions of the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181), and the Private Employment Agencies Recommendation, 1997 (No. 188), which contain guidelines for the regulation, monitoring and operation of private employment services.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

1. Articles 1, paragraph 2, and 10 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes the information in the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention, received in September 2006. It notes that 13 employment information centres are operating in the country, including one employment service main office. Proposals to review the structure of the employment service are to be discussed in the Annual Management Committee of the Employment Service in May each year. The Committee welcomes continuing to receive information on the activities of the public employment service which contribute to the achievement and maintenance of full employment and the development and use of productive resources together with relevant statistics. Please also indicate any arrangements made in cooperation with the social partners to encourage full use of employment service facilities.

2. Articles 4 and 5. Participation of social partners. The Committee notes that the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment had set up an Employment Advisory Committee in 2004, comprised, amongst others, of representatives of employers and workers. The mandate of the Advisory Committee was to gauge the employment situation and to work out recommendations for the creation of jobs. The Government reports that the Advisory Committee established in 2004 is no longer operational. The Ministry is now proposing to create a new Employment Promotion and Advisory Committee which will be comprised of representatives of workers and employers to advise on new strategies and policies for job creation and employment promotion. The Committee would like to receive further information regarding the development of this initiative in order to ensure the cooperation of the social partners not only in the organization and operation of the employment service but also in the development of employment service policy.

3. Article 11. Cooperation with private employment agencies. The Committee notes that private employment agencies (PrEA) are legally obliged by the Recruitment of Workers Act 1993 to inform the Ministry on vacancies and persons placed. The PrEA may charge fees in accordance with the regulation framed under the said Act. The Committee would welcome further particulars, including practical examples, on the effective cooperation established between the public employment service and PrEA. It invites the Government to consider the provisions of the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181), and the Private Employment Agencies Recommendation, 1997 (No. 188), which contain guidelines for the regulation, monitoring and operation of private employment services.