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1. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report, in particular concerning the texts which apply the principles of the Convention (articles 14 and 22 of the 1994 Constitution have not been substantially changed by the amendments to that text which were made following the referendum of 24 November 1996). With reference to the draft Labour Code aimed at revising the 1992 Code and on which the Office has provided technical assistance, the Committee notes that it was approved by the Supreme Soviet at first reading in June 1996 and that, following the November 1996 referendum, is being re-examined in the light of the ensuing constitutional amendments. It asks the Government to inform it of the final adoption of the text together with any changes made to it during that process; it would also appreciate receiving a copy of the text once adopted.

2. The Committee notes that, in the framework of its policy to promote equality of opportunity and treatment for all, the Government adopted national plans of action to improve the situation of women for 1996-2000 as well as a national programme called The women of the Republic of Belarus. One of the four parts of that programme contains measures to improve the situation of women in the labour market, prevent female unemployment and increase their competitiveness. The Committee requests the Government to supply details on the concrete measures taken and the results obtained by these programmes, from the point of view of access to jobs, access to vocational training and terms and conditions of employment of women.

3. The Committee observes that the Government intends to fight against discrimination in employment which women suffer in practice by stressing education and training: women represent 51.9 per cent of students in higher education establishments, but men have higher skill levels. The Government indicates in its report that -- in order to increase job opportunities for women, particularly those with children -- new training has been introduced to develop those occupations seen to be "female" (farmers, secretary and typist with foreign languages, embroiderers and weavers) because greater diversity of occupations increases opportunities to find jobs. The Committee has also stressed the importance of training free from archaic attitudes and stereotypes that categorize jobs or occupations as "male" or "female". It therefore requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that, in practice, education, vocational training and vocational guidance of girls and women is not restricted to the traditional areas of activity considered to be appropriate for them and, in addition, to encourage them to consider employment in sectors other than health, education and culture where they are already over-represented.

4. With reference to its previous direct request, the Committee trusts that the Government's next report will contain information on the practical programmes undertaken to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation without discrimination on the other grounds of the Convention besides sex, namely race, colour, religion, political opinion, national extraction and social origin.