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The Committee notes the Government’s reports, received in August 2000 and September 2002. It notes with particular interest the document on Poverty Alleviation for a Stronger Jordan: A Comprehensive National Strategy, published in May 2002 and the detailed 2001 statistical survey on employment and unemployment appended to the Government’s last report.

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. The Committee notes that one approach that has been proposed in the poverty alleviation strategy is the development of work opportunities for the poor by working within communities to promote local jobs that are effective in improving individual situations and contributing to community development. The Committee also notes with interest that the document expressly cites the ILO Declaration of Philadelphia, and in particular the statement that "poverty anywhere constitutes a danger to prosperity everywhere". A reduction in the Government’s role in the facilitation of job creation is listed as a goal of the National Strategy, which envisages the creation of  a public/private partnership among leaders of private industry and responsible ministries for the purpose of examining options and incentives for job creation. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on the follow-up given to the recommendations made in the poverty alleviation strategy.

2. The Committee notes that the unemployment rate was 14.7 per cent in 2001 (women workers being the most affected). Only 9.3 per cent of women were employed (as compared to 56.6 per cent of male workers). The Committee requests the Government to continue to include in its next report data concerning the size and distribution of the labour force, and the nature and extent of unemployment and underemployment, both in the aggregate and as they affect particular categories of workers, such as women and young persons. Please also indicate how the data collected have been used as a basis for deciding on employment policy measures within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

3. The Committee notes that employment is to be created in the Aqaba free zone, the telecommunications and tourist industries and the qualified industrial zones, and would appreciate receiving details of progress in this area and the results obtained in terms of job creation.

4. The Committee notes the promulgation of Act No. 58 of 2001 on the Council on technical and vocational education and training and the measures envisaged by the Ministry of Education for the period 1999-2003 referred to in the report received in August 2000. The Committee encourages the Government to include in its next report information on the outcome of the measures taken to coordinate education and training with prospective employment opportunities.

5. The Committee notes the promulgation of Act No. 21 of 1999 regulating employment offices and requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the contribution made by the employment offices to employment creation and human resources development.

6. Article 3. The Government mentioned in the report received in August 2000 that committees composed of employers and workers are constituted when the authorities implement the social and economic policies. A social and economic council was created by the King in order to update the economic policy. The Committee requests the Government to supply details in its next report on the manner in which representatives of the persons affected are consulted concerning employment policies, with reference both to consultations with representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations and to consultations with representatives of the rural and informal sectors. Please also indicate any consultations with employers’ and workers’ organizations held in order to implement the employment measures envisaged under the poverty alleviation strategy.