CMNT_TITLE

1. The Committee notes the enactment of the new Labour Act (Act No. 8/98 of 20 July 1998, the "1998 Act"). It notes with interest that section 15 of the 1998 Act prohibits discrimination in the workplace on the basis of ethnic origin, language, race, sex, civil status, age (within the limits established by national legislation), social status, religious or political beliefs and union membership, and that it establishes sexual harassment in the workplace as a disciplinary offence.

2. With respect to its previous comments, the Committee recalls the Government's earlier statements that economic difficulties experienced in the country have hindered the gathering of information requested by the Committee concerning positive measures to promote equality of opportunity and treatment for women in respect of their access to employment and vocational training. The Committee again expresses its hope that the Government will request the secretariat of the tripartite labour advisory commission established in 1994 to collect information on such measures. Further, the Committee recalls the Government's statement to the ILO multidisciplinary team in August 1997 concerning the need to restructure the existing system for gathering statistical data. The Committee notes that labour statistics are an essential tool in evaluating the progress achieved in the application of the national policy for the elimination of discrimination. In this connection, the Committee once again reminds the Government that the Office remains available to provide technical assistance.

3. The Committee is addressing a request directly to the Government on other points.