Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Zambia (Ratification: 1979)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

1. Please provide information on any progress, in particular with ILO technical assistance, in establishing a labour market information system. 2. The Government refers in general terms to measures to soften the negative impact of structural adjustment on the most affected groups of the population and to assist and counsel retrenched workers. With reference to its previous observation, the Committee notes the absence of more precise information on the exact nature and scope of social measures taken to accompany the structural adjustment policy. The Government sets out briefly the objectives of the Investment Act, 1991, and the Privatization Act, 1992. The Committee notes that studies have been commissioned to assess the impact of privatization on employment, and asks the Government to provide the conclusions of these studies as soon as they are available. It trusts that the Government will keep in close contact with the ILO in order to conclude these studies and consider what measures are needed in the light of the objectives of the Convention. 3. The Committee expressed concern in its previous observation at the difficulties apparently encountered in devising and applying an employment policy within the meaning of the Convention. It trusts that, perhaps in cooperation with the competent units of the ILO, the Government will in its next report be able to provide the information required by the report form on the measures adopted within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy in order to promote, as a major goal, a policy in keeping with Article 1 of the Convention. In addition, it asks the Government to provide detailed information on consultations held in practice with representatives of the persons affected concerning employment policies implemented, indicating the views of those consulted and the manner in which they were taken into account in accordance with Article 3. The Committee recalls, as did the Conference Committee, that representatives of workers in the rural and informal sectors should be associated in such consultations.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.