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Article 1 of the Convention.  The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s detailed report, as well as the Joint Assessment of the Employment Policy Priorities of Slovenia (July 2000). In 1998 GDP growth was 3.9 per cent, the employment rate was 65.1 per cent, and the growth in employment was 0 per cent, but the negative trend in employment growth has stopped. The sector experiencing an increase in employment was mainly in services. The participation and employment rates for both men and women have been increasing. The unemployment rate was 7.9 per cent, slightly up from 1996 and 1997. Long-term unemployment comprised 62.4 per cent of total unemployment. The workers under 25 years of age comprise 18.2 per cent of total unemployment. Unskilled workers are also disproportionately affected.

Labour market policies include employability (through education and training), entrepreneurship (through self-employment and regional development), adaptability (retraining and subsidies for hiring the long-term unemployed) and equal opportunities (including programmes for the disabled and the Romany community). The Government also seeks to improve the delivery and monitoring of programmes. In particular, it aims to improve the public employment service by concentrating resources on those most in need, and improving VET, through the PHARE programme, by tailoring programmes more closely to the needs of target groups and making training more relevant to work. The Committee notes this information and would appreciate being kept informed of the improvements made. The Committee also requests that the Government provide further information on measures taken to reduce long-term unemployment and to address the special needs of regions with particularly high levels of unemployment.

Article 2.  The Committee notes that the Government is in the process of carrying out an employment policy review with the European Commission. It would appreciate receiving a copy of this report when it is completed and information on any follow-up action taken.

Article 3.  The Committee also notes the Government’s intention to engage social partners more in employment promotion. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the progress made in this respect, in particular on the role of the Economic and Social Council in setting policies, and whether groups other than the social partners (such as rural and informal sector workers) are consulted.