CMNT_TITLE

1. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government's indications concerning the activities of the National Vocational Training Office (ONFP), particularly the surveys on the demand for training, the financing of work experience "préinsertion à l'emploi" programmes for 100 higher education graduates and the occupational retraining for workers made redundant in industry. The Committee requests the Government in its future reports to supply information on all aspects of ONFP activities concerning vocational training for women, taking particular account of the indications in points 2 and 3 below.

2. The Committee takes note of the statistical information supplied by the Government concerning the number of girls sitting the competitive entrance examination to the National Centre for Occupational Skills, which rose from 41 in 1985-86 to 110 in 1990, but remains very limited in relation to the number of boys. According to the Government's report, the fact that girls are poorly informed on the matter is not the only reason for this difference; girls must also overcome cultural barriers in order to accede to jobs traditionally held by men. The Committee notes with interest that in addition to conducting a public information campaign, the Government plans to raise awareness among employers about access for girls to these jobs. It requests the Government to provide information on progress made in this respect.

3. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee takes note of the statistical information on the distribution of employees in the state administration according to sex and category, at 30 May 1989, and observes that the number of women in these posts is much lower than the number of men, and that women account for 15.3 per cent of the total staff. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any developments in this respect, along with recent statistical information on the number of women employed the private sector and the number of women holding posts of responsibility in this sector.