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Further to its 2001 direct request, the Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s detailed report received in August 2002.

1. Article 1 of the Convention. The Government states that it is in the middle of its third five-year economic development plan, and has implemented some new measures. It has established several incentives to hire registered unemployed persons. These include reducing the contributions and tax levied on both the employer and worker and increasing the maximum loans available to small and medium enterprises which hire registered unemployed persons, on condition that they do not replace existing staff. The Government has also created information centres to inform jobseekers and businesses about trends in the labour market. As part of its efforts to promote employment in rural areas, the Government has developed conservation projects, and agricultural workers are taught improved farming techniques. The chart of labour market statistics appended to the Government’s report indicates that, in general, labour market trends appear to be quite stable. The participation rate as a whole has increased from 34.7 per cent in 1997 to 37.19 per cent in 2001. The participation rate of older workers (50 to 64 years of age) decreased slightly from 13.09 to 12.83 per cent. Unemployment rose slightly, from 4.55 per cent in 1997 to 5.29 per cent in 2001. The Committee notes this information and would appreciate continuing to receive details on the various programmes implemented and their impact on employment promotion both in the aggregate and as they affect particular categories of workers such as women, young persons, older workers and disabled workers. Please also supply information on underemployment as requested in the report form.

2. Article 2. The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain any information on how the various policies and programmes to promote employment are kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy. Please provide such information, as requested in the report form.

3. Article 3. The Committee again requests information on the manner in which consultations are held with representatives of employers, workers and other groups, such as rural and informal sector workers, and on the outcome of these consultations concerning employment policies.