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1. Promotion of equality in relation to sex. The Committee notes that Act No. 16.045 of June 1989 which prohibits any discrimination infringing the principle of equality of treatment and opportunity for both sexes in any sector or branch of employment has been regulated by Decree No. 37/97 of February 1997. It notes with interest that section 1 refers to activities which lay down direct or indirect requirements related to sex; section 3 refers specifically to training and occupational retraining; section 5 stipulates that sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious form of discrimination, which is a new aspect in regard to the Act under which the Decree is issued; and section 8 establishes the Inter-Institutional Commission with the aim of carrying out educational campaigns on the subject and proposing, coordinating and assessing programmes for the purpose of protecting the worker from discrimination. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed in future reports of cases where this Decree is applied and, in particular, of any initiative or programme which stems from the Inter-Institutional Commission.

2. In its previous direct request, the Committee noted the plans to reformulate the National Plan of Action for Women and the Family (1992-97) and asked to be kept informed of the new developments in the Plan itself and its implementation, with emphasis on positive measures to increase women's access to vocational training and employment, and any programmes aimed at vulnerable categories of women workers, including rural women. The Committee notes that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has carried out a number of activities on promotion of opportunities, in some cases with ILO support, such as the tripartite workshop (November 1996) entitled "Uruguay: National action for equality of opportunity in employment". One of its successes is the proposal to set up a tripartite body devoted to the study and recommendation of measures concerning equal opportunities, in particular as regards equality between men and women; this body commenced operations in March 1997. The Committee would like to receive specific information on whether this tripartite body has drawn up any programmes or recommendations relating to vulnerable categories of women workers, including rural women.

3. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would inform it whether Bill No. 538 of 9 July 1996 which contains sections on discrimination in regard to political, religious, trade union and other opinions, has been adopted.