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The Committee notes the Government’s report received in February 2003 for the period ending May 2002 and the detailed replies to the 2000 direct request.

1. Article 1 of the Convention. The Government indicates that employment grew by 1.7 per cent in 2001, which represents the highest annual level since 1987. The employment rate stood at 63.9 per cent. In spite of recent progress, this figure has regressed since 1998 when it stood at 65.1 per cent. In terms of employment, the service sector grew by 2.7 per cent while the manufacturing sector grew by 0.9 per cent. The unemployment rate decreased from 7.9 per cent in 1998 to 6.4 per cent in 2001. Youth unemployment also decreased slightly - by 0.5 per cent - as compared to 1998 but remains disproportionately high at 18.1 per cent. Please continue to provide information on the impact of restructuring of employment and relevant data by age and gender.

2. The Government states that it is pursuing an active employment policy modelled on guidelines recommended by the European Union and has adopted a National Programme of Development of the Labour Market and Employment to 2006 that introduces an integral approach to reducing unemployment and stimulating employment through active and coordinated cooperation among economic, educational and financial spheres. The Committee would appreciate being kept informed of progress made in this respect.

3. The Government acknowledges the significant regional gaps in terms of employment and the sizeable dimension of informal economy employment in Slovenia. Please continue to report on government efforts to promote employment in disadvantaged regions and to provide productive work for informal economy workers.

4. Article 2. The Government indicates that all employment programmes adopted are regularly monitored by the Employment Institute and are evaluated on the basis of the content, suitability and effectiveness of the programme. This information is used in assessing their impact on employment promotion and to formulate changes in policy as necessary. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide some examples of how policy has changed. The Committee would also appreciate receiving further information on how employment programmes and policies are reviewed within the framework of coordinated economic and social policies.

5. Article 3. The Committee notes the information received on the consultative role of the Economic and Social Council (ESSS) in the preparation of legislation and its capacity to issue standpoints and opinions on different matters, such as working and draft documents. It asks the Government to provide more information on the negotiation of tripartite accords within the framework of the ESSS and on any other efforts to engage social partners and other groups in employment promotion.