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1. The Committee takes note of the brief information provided by the Government in reply to its earlier comments. It notes in particular that the formulation of employment policy constitutes a key aspect of national economic planning. It hopes that, in its future reports, the Government will supply detailed information on the implementation of employment policy set out in the Convention. Please indicate the employment objectives defined in development plans and programmes and report on progress made in attaining them. Please describe the main policies being implemented with particular reference to investment policy, prices and incomes policy, rural development and the informal sector, as well as the measures designed to satisfy the needs of specific categories of workers such as young people, women and the disabled (Article 1 of the Convention).

2. The Committee takes note of the problems referred to by the Government concerning the compilation of statistics. It recalls that implementation of the provisions of Article 2 involves measures for the collection and analysis of statistical and other data needed as a basis for decisions on employment policy measures. The Committee hopes that, in the near future, the Government will be able to provide statistical data or estimates on the situation, levels and trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment both at the general level and in respect of the specific categories mentioned under point 1 above (Article 1. See also Part VI of the report form.)

3. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide in its next report information on the activities of the technical and vocational training body of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, particularly within the framework of the implementation of the Unemployment Insurance Act (No. 1/1871, 1987). Please state the measures designed to co-ordinate education and training policies with employment prospects. (Report form, point 3 of question 3 under Article 1.)

4. In reply to the Committee's previous comments, the Government indicates that, on the recommendation of the Higher Council of Labour, the Unemployment Insurance Act (No. 1/1871) was adopted on 21 May 1987. The Committee takes note in particular of section 9 of this Act, which requires that employers, Islamic councils or workers' delegates should communicate job vacancies to the local employment service centres; that the Government should make provision each year for job-creation projects for the unemployed; and which enables the unemployed, in certain conditions, to have preference in exercising an occupational activity or setting up businesses. The Committee notes that this Act is to be implemented for a trial period of three years, and it would be grateful if the Government would in its next report provide information on the number of beneficiaries of unemployment insurance, and the number and nature of the productive jobs created on the Government's initiative or on that of the unemployed themselves.

5. Please describe the composition of the Higher Council of Labour, stating whether it has made any other recommendations concerning employment policy matters, and provide information of a general nature on the way in which consultations on employment policy are held with the various sectors concerned, in the terms of Article 3.

6. Finally, the Committee notes that, in reply to its earlier comment, the Government indicates that it may envisage requesting technical co-operation from the ILO in order to apply the international standards in its employment policy. It would be grateful if the Government would, if appropriate, provide information on any developments in this respect.