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1. Integration of employment policy with economic and social policies. The Committee notes the Government’s report which contains detailed information in relation with its previous comment. The Government refers, among other legislative measures, to Law No. 102-XV of 13 March 2003 on the Employment of the Population and Social Protection of Job Seekers and to the Decision No. 224 of 1 March 2003 by which a National Programme for the Employment of the Population for 2003-2005 was approved. The 2003-05 programme envisages the creation of 53,200 new jobs and some 35 per cent of the persons registered with the National Population Employment Agency will be provided with training in order to reintegrate the labour market. The Committee hopes that in its next report the Government will be able to provide information on the results achieved in this regard. It also recalls that success in employment creation is linked to the successful coordination of macroeconomic policies as well as structural policies. It therefore asks the Government to also report on how employment policy measures are reviewed regularly within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy (Article 1, paragraph 3, and Article 2(a) of the Convention).

2. The Committee notes that according to the data provided by the Government, the number of unemployed reached 117,000 persons in 2003 and the level of unemployment amounted to 7.9 per cent (the active population reduced from 1,615,000 persons in 2002 to 1,474,000 persons in 2003). The Government also refers to statistical and analytical data obtained through studies done in cooperation with the Office. The Committee notes with interest that the results of the surveys are being used in the process of elaboration of the National Employment Strategy. It also notes the Government’s interest to obtain further cooperation form the Office in this area. The Committee would appreciate receiving in the Government’s next report data drawn from the labour force survey, in particular on the employment situation of socially vulnerable groups such as young persons, women jobseekers, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities.

3. The Committee further notes the proactive measures adopted to promote employment opportunities of the population as well as the vocational guidance and services provided. It would welcome further information on the evaluation of these measures especially regarding the number of participants that find employment after participation in these programmes.

4. The Committee notes that advisory services and assistance in starting business activities are provided to unemployed persons. Please continue to report on the measures taken to improve the legislative and regulatory basis for small and medium enterprises as well as on efforts made to shift activities from the informal economy to the formal economy. The Government may deem useful to consult the provisions of the Job Creation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Recommendation, 1998 (No. 189).

5. Participation by the social partners in the formulation and application of policies. The Government indicates that its cooperation with the employers’ organization and trade unions in the field of promoting the population employment policy has been more intensive in the last years. During the meetings of the National Commission on Collective Bargaining several issues concerning employment policy such as the implementation of the State Programme of Small Business Support were examined. The tripartite advisory board of the Population Employment Agency has also taken measures to develop jointly with the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of the Republic of Moldova activities in the field of employment promotion. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide specific information about the operation of tripartite bodies as well as the involvement of social partners in the formulation and implementation of the National Programme for the Employment of the Population. Please also indicate the measures taken or contemplated to involve in the consultations required by the Convention not only the employers’ and workers’ representatives but also representatives of other sectors of the active population, such as persons working in the rural sector or in the informal economy (Article 3).

6. ILO technical cooperation. The Committee understands that the Office is also currently participating in policy reviews in order to assist the Stability Pact Countries in their implementation and help them prepare for the future European Union accession process. It asks the Government to indicate in its next report any action taken to promote active employment policies as a result of the implementation of ILO technical cooperation projects (Part V of the report form).