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

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Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

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The Committee notes the observations of the General Confederation of Workers’ Unions of Madagascar (FISEMA) and of the Trade Union Confederation of Malagasy Revolutionary Workers (FISEMARE), received on 1 September 2022. The Committee requests the Government to supply its comments on the observations received from the social partners.

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Government indicates that the General State Policy (PGE) 2019–2023 aims to promote decent work for all, to restore dignity and pride to every worker and thus support social peace, inclusive economic growth and the development of the country. The Government plans to update the PGE to take account of the challenges of productive and sustainable employment. The Government has also identified, together with the ILO, the following priorities for its Decent Work Country Programme 2020–24, which is under way: (i) the creation of decent and productive employment, particularly for young persons and vulnerable groups in key sectors of the economy (blue, green and rural economies); (ii) the transition from the informal to the formal economy; and (iii) the improvement and extension of social protection to all workers. The Government is also working on overhauling the Labour Code and adopting a strategic plan for labour inspection. With regard to the implementation of its social policy, the Government indicates that it has introduced a programme to promote entrepreneurship and handicrafts entitled Fihariana. It has also provided figures on the development of decent work. The number of workers inspected by the labour inspectorate, including those in the informal economy, rose from 30,000 in 2019 to 67,500 in 2020. The number of workers benefiting from increased social security cover, including in the informal sector, increased from 33,000 in 2019 to 87,975 in 2020. Regarding the living conditions of workers in the informal economy, the Government notes that the low level of involvement of the responsible actors, the low rate of social contributions, the failure to provide information on the application of relevant conventions and the non-application of legislation on working conditions all constitute obstacles to decent work in this sector. The Government has introduced initiatives to support the formal economy. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, around a hundred small and medium-sized enterprises benefited from a line of credit under the Miarina programme. Regarding the observations of the social partners, the FISEMA regrets the Government’s abandonment of the plan to overhaul the Social Security Code (CPS). The FISEMA denounces in particular the methods and bases used to calculate retirement pensions, which are no longer adapted to the current context. The FISEMA observes that, according to the World Bank, the pandemic has significantly worsened poverty in Madagascar and notes that, “according to a United Nations agency”, more than 9 out of 10 workers do not benefit from social protection schemes. The FISEMARE also denounces delays in revising the CPS and regrets the failure to provide information on the reasons for them. The FISEMARE calls for more social dialogue in this respect. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated information on the manner in which the provisions of the Convention requiring “all policies” to be “primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population” are taken into account in the formulation and implementation of measures taken within the framework of the General State Policy (PGE) (Article 1 of the Convention). The Committee also reiterates its request to provide information on the measures taken to improve living conditions in rural areas, promote productive capacity and improve the standards of living of workers in the informal economy (Articles 3 and 4). In this respect, the Committee draws the attention of the Government to the fact that the preparation and implementation of integrated and coordinated employment and social protection policies and measures constitute powerful levers for achieving the important objective of formalizing the economy, increasing productivity and improving the standard of living of the entire population, in particular the most vulnerable persons excluded from all social and labour protection, a great many of whom work in the informal economy, often in rural areas.

Part IV of the report form. Representative organizations consulted. The Government indicates that it consulted representative organizations of employers and workers at a workshop held from 3 to 5 August 2022 to present and validate the report. The Government indicates that it has sent copies of the report to the Madagascar Chamber of Commerce (GEM) and the Fivondronan'ny Mpandraharaha eto Madagasikara (FIVMPAMA), for the organizations of employers, and to the FISEMARE, the FISEMA and the Christian Confederation of Malagasy Trade Unions (SEKRIMA), for the organizations of workers. However, the FISEMA observes that it has not received the Government’s report. The Committee reminds the Government that, in accordance with article 23, paragraph 2, of the ILO Constitution, it is required to communicate the report to the representative organizations.The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments on the FISEMA's observation that it has not received the Government's report.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

The Committee notes with deep concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It expects that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments. The Committee informs the Government that, if it has not supplied replies to the points raised by 1 September 2022, then it may proceed with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information at its disposal at its next session.

Repetition

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to the observations of the General Confederation of Workers’ Unions of Madagascar (FISEMA), received on 2 September 2013. The FISEMA has previously expressed disappointment at the abandonment of the Plan of Action for Madagascar (MAP), without informing the social partners, and the refusal of the Ministry of the Public Service, Labour and Social Legislation to examine a draft reform of the Social Welfare Code (CPS). In its reply, the Government indicates that the National Development Plan, which will replace the MAP, will be adopted before the end of 2015. The Government adds that it fully accepts the reform of the CPS. In reply to the 2013 request, the Government indicates that the social policy of the State is orientated towards the improvement of access to basic social services and the reinforcement of human capital. The Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide updated information on the manner in which the provisions of the Convention, which envisage that “[a]ll policies shall be primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population”, have been taken into account in the formulation and implementation of the measures adopted in the context of the general Sate policy (Article 1 of the Convention). Please also provide information on the measures taken to improve living conditions in rural areas, increase productive capacity and improve the standards of living of workers in the informal economy (Articles 3 and 4).

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

The Committee notes with concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to the observations of the General Confederation of Workers’ Unions of Madagascar (FISEMA), received on 2 September 2013. The FISEMA has previously expressed disappointment at the abandonment of the Plan of Action for Madagascar (MAP), without informing the social partners, and the refusal of the Ministry of the Public Service, Labour and Social Legislation to examine a draft reform of the Social Welfare Code (CPS). In its reply, the Government indicates that the National Development Plan, which will replace the MAP, will be adopted before the end of 2015. The Government adds that it fully accepts the reform of the CPS. In reply to the 2013 request, the Government indicates that the social policy of the State is orientated towards the improvement of access to basic social services and the reinforcement of human capital. The Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide updated information on the manner in which the provisions of the Convention, which envisage that “[a]ll policies shall be primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population”, have been taken into account in the formulation and implementation of the measures adopted in the context of the general Sate policy (Article 1 of the Convention). Please also provide information on the measures taken to improve living conditions in rural areas, increase productive capacity and improve the standards of living of workers in the informal economy (Articles 3 and 4).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee notes with concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It expects that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to the observations of the General Confederation of Workers’ Unions of Madagascar (FISEMA), received on 2 September 2013. The FISEMA has previously expressed disappointment at the abandonment of the Plan of Action for Madagascar (MAP), without informing the social partners, and the refusal of the Ministry of the Public Service, Labour and Social Legislation to examine a draft reform of the Social Welfare Code (CPS). In its reply, the Government indicates that the National Development Plan, which will replace the MAP, will be adopted before the end of 2015. The Government adds that it fully accepts the reform of the CPS. In reply to the 2013 request, the Government indicates that the social policy of the State is orientated towards the improvement of access to basic social services and the reinforcement of human capital. The Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide updated information on the manner in which the provisions of the Convention, which envisage that “[a]ll policies shall be primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population”, have been taken into account in the formulation and implementation of the measures adopted in the context of the general Sate policy (Article 1 of the Convention). Please also provide information on the measures taken to improve living conditions in rural areas, increase productive capacity and improve the standards of living of workers in the informal economy (Articles 3 and 4).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments initially made in 2015.

Repetition

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to the observations of the General Confederation of Workers’ Unions of Madagascar (FISEMA), received on 2 September 2013. The FISEMA has previously expressed disappointment at the abandonment of the Plan of Action for Madagascar (MAP), without informing the social partners, and the refusal of the Ministry of the Public Service, Labour and Social Legislation to examine a draft reform of the Social Welfare Code (CPS). In its reply, the Government indicates that the National Development Plan, which will replace the MAP, will be adopted before the end of 2015. The Government adds that it fully accepts the reform of the CPS. In reply to the 2013 request, the Government indicates that the social policy of the State is orientated towards the improvement of access to basic social services and the reinforcement of human capital. The Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide updated information on the manner in which the provisions of the Convention, which envisage that “[a]ll policies shall be primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population”, have been taken into account in the formulation and implementation of the measures adopted in the context of the general Sate policy (Article 1 of the Convention). Please also provide information on the measures taken to improve living conditions in rural areas, increase productive capacity and improve the standards of living of workers in the informal economy (Articles 3 and 4).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to the observations of the General Confederation of Workers’ Unions of Madagascar (FISEMA), received on 2 September 2013. The FISEMA has previously expressed disappointment at the abandonment of the Plan of Action for Madagascar (MAP), without informing the social partners, and the refusal of the Ministry of the Public Service, Labour and Social Legislation to examine a draft reform of the Social Welfare Code (CPS). In its reply, the Government indicates that the National Development Plan, which will replace the MAP, will be adopted before the end of 2015. The Government adds that it fully accepts the reform of the CPS. In reply to the 2013 request, the Government indicates that the social policy of the State is orientated towards the improvement of access to basic social services and the reinforcement of human capital. The Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide updated information on the manner in which the provisions of the Convention, which envisage that “[a]ll policies shall be primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population”, have been taken into account in the formulation and implementation of the measures adopted in the context of the general Sate policy (Article 1 of the Convention). Please also provide information on the measures taken to improve living conditions in rural areas, increase productive capacity and improve the standards of living of workers in the informal economy (Articles 3 and 4).

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

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the observations of the Trade Union Confederation of Malagasy Revolutionary Workers (FISEMARE), which were forwarded to the Government in September 2014. FISEMARE indicates that, following the suspension of the National Labour Council, the Government submitted to the National Assembly a Finance Bill, providing for increased deductions from wages as income tax. The Committee asks the Government to send any comments it may wish to make in response to the observations of FISEMARE. The Committee also refers to its direct request of 2013 and requests the Government to provide updated information on the manner in which the provisions of the Convention calling for “all policies” to “be primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population” have been taken into account in the development and implementation of the measures taken under its economic programmes and poverty reduction strategy (Article 1 of the Convention). Please provide information on the measures taken with a view to improving living conditions in rural areas, increasing production capacity and raising the standard of living of workers in the informal economy (Articles 3 and 4).

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2015.]

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2013 indicating that, since 2009, the continuing crisis is causing the inability to implement the Madagascar Action Plan (MAP). The Committee also notes the observations made by the General Confederation of Workers’ Unions of Madagascar (FISEMA), in a communication received on 2 September 2013 and transmitted to the Government on 19 September 2013. FISEMA notes that no provision is made to give effect to the Convention as the country does not have a social policy. Furthermore, FISEMA expresses disappointment that the MAP has been abandoned, explaining that it was dropped without the social partners’ knowledge and that no replacement document has been produced. FISEMA also expresses regret at the refusal of the Ministry of Civil Service, Labour and Social Laws to examine a draft reform of the Social Welfare Code, which has been approved by the National Labour Council and which constitutes the only instrument providing for social security for employees. The Committee requests the Government to provide any comments it may wish to make in response to observations made by FISEMA.

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. In its direct request of 2009, the Committee took note of the MAP for 2007–11 aiming to support and accelerate the application of its poverty reduction strategy for 2000–15. The Government stated that the MAP described the commitments, strategies and actions which would lead to rapid economic growth, thereby helping to reduce poverty. The Committee reiterates its request to the Government to supply, in its next report, information on the results achieved in the context of the MAP in pursuing the well-being and development of the population and promoting its desire for social progress (Article 1 of the Convention). The Government is again requested to supply information on measures taken to improve living conditions in rural areas, increase production capacity and raise the standard of living of workers in the informal economy (Articles 3 and 4).

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2014.]

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

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in October 2008, in reply to the direct request of 2005. The Government states that it has adopted the Madagascar Action Plan (MAP) for 2007–11 in order to support and accelerate the application of its poverty reduction strategy for 2000–15. The Government states that the MAP describes the commitments, strategies and actions which will lead to rapid economic growth, thereby helping to reduce poverty. By promoting the development of employment-generating sectors, such as infrastructure, transport and tourism, the MAP aims to improve the general standard of living, particularly that of the rural population, which has been badly affected by underemployment and by difficulties in access to the education system and health services. The Committee requests the Government to supply information in its next report on the results achieved in the context of the MAP to promote the well-being and development of the population and its desire for social progress (Article 1). The Committee also requests the Government to supply information on the steps taken to improve living conditions in rural areas, increase production capacity and raise the standard of living of workers in the informal economy (Articles 3 and 4).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the detailed information contained in the Government’s report for the period ending September 2003. In its comments on the application of Convention No. 122, it noted the adoption of a poverty reduction strategy with the objective of promoting rapid and sustainable development with a view to halving the poverty rate within ten years. The strategy, which is largely based on the public/private partnership principle, aims to create and promote economic growth across the social spectrum and proposes sectoral measures for rural development. In this regard, the Committee requests the Government to continue to supply, in its next report, information on the manner in which the provisions of Convention No. 117 aimed at ensuring that "all policies shall be primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population …" are taken into account when developing and implementing the measures taken in the context of its economic programmes and its poverty reduction strategy.