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

Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Sierra Leone (Ratification: 1961)

The Committee welcomes the Government’s reply to the comments it has been making for many years in relation to the application of the Convention.

Articles 3, 4 and 5. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. Consultation with the social partners. The Committee recalls that, in its 2004 report, the Government indicated that it proposed to strengthen the employment services and that legislation in this regard had been included on the agenda of the Joint Advisory Commission for discussion. In its comments made initially in 2004, the Committee requested the Government to describe the manner in which the employment services reforms mentioned by the Government in its 2004 report, have contributed to securing their essential duty, which is to ensure “the best possible organization of the employment market as an integral part of the national programme for the achievement and maintenance of full employment and the development and use of productive resources” (Article 1 of the Convention), in cooperation with the social partners (Articles 4 and 5). It also requested the Government to provide statistical information on the number of public employment offices established, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment by these offices (Part IV of the report form). The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in respect of the functions of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), particularly in the areas of manpower planning and human resource development, developing and implementing employment and labour market policies, addressing the needs of disadvantaged groups and industrial training. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that there are six employment exchange centres in the country, but that there are insufficient resources to enable the establishment of additional centres. In addition, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Joint Consultative Committee, composed of workers’, employers’ and Government representatives, meets regularly at national level to discuss employment policy, in particular labour and employment issues. The Government does not provide information on the employment services reforms or the proposed legislation on employment services, nor does it provide the statistical information requested. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to communicate updated detailed information with regard to the employment service reforms undertaken, including the development of relevant legislation, and the manner in which these reforms have contributed to the objectives set out in Article 1 of the Convention. It further requests the Government to provide updated statistical data compiled concerning the number of public employment offices established, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices. It also requests the Government to provide further details regarding the functioning of the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC). In particular, the Government is requested to provide updated detailed information in relation to consultations within the JCC concerning the development of employment services legislation and policy, as well as in relation to discussions held within the JCC with respect to the provisions of the Convention more generally. It also invites the Government to consider the possibility of establishing regional or local advisory committees as contemplated in Article 4(2).

Article 7. Particular categories of jobseekers. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that special preference is given to persons with disabilities in terms of shortlisting for certain positions. The Government is requested to provide information on the nature and impact of this measure, indicating the positions to which this preference is applied. The Committee further requests the Government to communicate information on any other measures taken to give effect to this Article of the Convention.

Article 11. Cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies. The Government indicates that a coordination gap exists between the public employment service and private employment agencies. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures taken or envisaged at the national and regional levels to secure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies not conducted with a view to profit.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Government reports that there are six employment exchange centres at regional level and that there has been a devolution of functions to these entities. The Government indicates that there are inadequate resources to permit establishing additional employment centres in the country, particularly in underdeveloped areas. The Committee notes that the Government does not provide information on the nature or impact of the employment services reforms to which it referred in its 2004 report, nor on the manner in which the employment services ensure “the best possible organization of the labour market as an integral part of the national programme for the achievement and maintenance of full employment and the development and use of productive resources”, as required under Article 1 of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed updated information on the nature and impact of measures taken to ensure the establishment of a network of employment offices sufficient in number to serve each geographical area of the country. The Committee reminds the Government that it can avail itself of the technical assistance of the Office if it so wishes.