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1. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government's report for the period ending May 1998. It notes in particular the various training programmes targeted at special groups such as youth, persons with disabilities, soldiers, and prisoners awaiting release. It would appreciate receiving further information in future reports on the success of these measures in fulfilling the objections of Article 1 of the Convention.

2. The Committee notes that the Ministry of Labour has been dissolved and responsibility for vocational training and education are now separated from responsibility for employment promotion. In light of this change, the Committee requests detailed information on how the Government ensures that the policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training are closely linked to employment, as required under Article 1 of the Convention.

3. The Committee also notes the role of the National Vocational Training Council (NVTC) in making proposals and recommendations concerning relevant legislation and courses offered. It asks the Government to provide further information on the composition of the NVTC, in particular whether representatives of workers' and employers' organizations and other interested bodies are included, or what other institutions exist to ensure that policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training are formulated and implemented in cooperation with these groups, as required under Article 5.