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1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. The Government states in a brief report received in October 2002 that during the period reviewed, unemployment decreased significantly, going from 12.3 per cent in March 2000 to an estimated 8.3 per cent at the end of March 2002. The Government furthermore states that unemployment has decreased considerably in disadvantaged regions. In order to be in a better position to assess fully the labour market situation and the manner in which developments have taken place, the Committee would be grateful if in its next report the Government would provide detailed statistical information on the level and trends in employment, underemployment and unemployment, both for the country as a whole and by region, for the various sectors of economic activity and for the various categories of the population, in particular for disadvantaged groups of workers such as women, young persons, older workers and persons with disabilities.

2. The Government also states that a key target of its economic policy is the promotion of economic diversification in cities heavily dependent upon a single industry. It considers that improvements in the existing legislation have an important role to play in addressing employment problems and to this end it envisages strengthening the role of regional authorities in the state policy of employment promotion. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on how employment policies and programmes are reviewed within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy and on the impact of the different policies implemented. Please also continue to report on the Government’s efforts to promote employment in regions with high unemployment.

3. Article 3. The Committee notes the information supplied regarding the tripartite general agreement between the national employers’ associations, national trade union associations and the Government. The Government indicates that it has focused efforts on tripartite consultations with the intention of ensuring that in the future prior to providing financing for projects, it will take better into account the possible impact on job creation particularly in regions with high unemployment. The Committee requests that the Government provide detailed information on the consultations held with representatives of employers and workers concerning employment policy, with an indication of the subjects covered, the views expressed and the manner in which they have been taken into account.

4. Finally, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply information on the action taken as a result of ILO technical and advisory cooperation activities in the field of employment in the framework of the programmes of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the ILO (Part V of the report form).