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The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report for the period ending June 2002 and its reply to previous comments.

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Supplemented by data published by the OECD, the report demonstrates that the labour market situation did not improve during the period in question. The unemployment rate continued to increase going from 16.3 per cent in 2000 to 17.8 per cent in 2002. The unemployment rate for women (20 per cent) remains higher than for men (17 per cent). Long-term unemployment continues to be high and is still increasing. In 2001, the share of long-term unemployed was 50 per cent. The rate of youth unemployment is of particular concern, having risen sharply to a level of 38 per cent. The Government indicates that its Economic Strategy for 2002-05, adopted in January 2002, provides for a variety of measures aimed at improving the employment situation, notably amendments to the Labour Code increasing the flexibility of the labour market, which were adopted in July 2002, and programmes such as the First Job Programme stimulating the creation of jobs for school leavers.

2. The Government states that several important changes have been introduced to the law on employment and reducing unemployment. These changes concern, inter alia, a revision of the requisites for receiving unemployment benefits, regulations concerning the right to pre-retirement (bridging allowance) and regulations governing the work of foreigners in Poland. The Committee would appreciate being kept informed of the impact of legislative changes in attaining the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment.

3. The Government states that to counteract rising unemployment it has introduced an economic plan entitled "Entrepreneurship-Development-Labour". The Government describes its strategy as aimed at the promotion of economic development, the creation of new productive jobs and a reduction in unemployment. Among the plan’s proposed solutions are: a reduction in labour costs and the establishment of more flexible labour relations; the simplification of the tax system; the simplification of the social insurance system; and the simplification of procedures connected in particular with the establishment of small businesses. The Committee has taken note of this information and trusts that the Government will provide in its next report any available information on the impact of these programmes and their success in attaining their stated objectives.

4. The Government explains that to reduce the extent of unemployment among young persons it has sought to implement the First Job Programme that combines several activities and services. The main aim of the programme is the reduction of unemployment among graduates. The activities planned in the programme focus on the following spheres: promoting graduates’ employment in the SME sector; self-employment promotion; the modification of the educational system; the dissemination of voluntary work; and the development of services in the field of vocational information and guidance, as well as job placement. The Committee notes this information and trusts that the Government will continue to provide information on policies and programmes that address the special needs of vulnerable groups of workers, as well as data on the levels and trends in employment for these groups.

5. Article 3. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Government held consultations with the social partners on a wide range of issues through the Tripartite Commission for Socio-Economic Issues and the Supreme Employment Council. Please continue to supply information on the manner in which representatives of the persons affected (representatives of employers and workers in the formal and informal economy and in rural areas) are consulted concerning employment policies.