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1. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2003 and the indications provided relating to the responsibility with regard to employment matters of the constituent entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It understands that each of the constituent entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, namely the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska, is autonomous with regard to labour and employment issues. It also understands, from the Mid-term Development Strategy of Bosnia and Herzegovina Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) 2004-2007 of March 2004, that the total number of employed in Bosnia and Herzegovina is estimated at 999,500 persons out of whom 638,000 are formally employed. The share of those formally employed seems to be higher in the Republika Srpska than in the Federation. The unemployment rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to World Bank data, is around 16.4 per cent (15.8 per cent in the Republika Srpska, 16.9 per cent in the Federation). The Committee asks the Government to state in its next report whether any particular difficulties have been encountered in achieving the employment objectives established in the PRSP, as part of a coordinated economic and social policy, in consultation with the representatives of those affected, in accordance with Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. It also recalls the relevance of other Conventions ratified by Bosnia and Herzegovina, in particular the Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88), the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111), the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), and the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159), the full application of which would certainly contribute to the attainment of the objectives of employment creation established by the PRSP. With regard to employment creation in the private sector, the Government may also wish to refer to the Job Creation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Recommendation, 1998 (No. 189).

2. The Committee would be grateful to receive a report containing particulars from the respective authorities on:

-  the measures taken or envisaged to compile statistics on the labour market and on employment problems with a view to obtaining data on the characteristics and trends relating to job offers and applications which are necessary to implement an active employment policy;

-  the manner in which the measures taken with the support of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other development banks to carry out the structural reforms necessary to a transition to a market economy contribute to the promotion of employment;

-  the specific training and placement measures adopted for persons experiencing difficulties in finding and retaining employment such as, women, young persons, older workers and persons with disabilities;

-  training and retraining measures for workers affected by structural reforms; and

-  the manner in which consultations take place with representatives of employers and workers concerning employment policies.

3. The preparation of a detailed report, including the indications requested in this direct request, will undoubtedly provide the competent authorities and the social partners with an opportunity to evaluate the manner in which the objectives of full and productive employment of the Convention are being achieved. The Committee reminds the Government that the technical assistance of the Office is available to help it to comply with its reporting obligations and for the implementation of an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention.