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The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report received in August 2005, and the detailed documentation annexed to the report.

1. General economic policy measures. In reply to the direct request made by the Committee in 2004, the Government indicates that the labour market in New Caledonia amounted to around 70,000 employees in 2004, while the number of jobseekers was over 9,000. The policy for greater balance was pursued, among other steps, through fiscal measures to promote certain types of investment, particularly in relation to tourism. However, the Government indicates that the employment market is essentially concentrated in the South Province, and more particularly in Nouméa and its neighbouring areas. The Government states that the expected effects on the geographical balance of employment of the factory in the North will be perceptible in a few years when the project is more advanced. The Government also adds that, although the economy of New Caledonia is still mainly dominated by the extraction and trade in nickel, other economic sectors are experiencing rapid growth. The Committee notes this information and requests the Government to continue providing detailed information on developments relating to employment and on the measures adopted to pursue the diversification of economic activities (Article 1, paragraph 3, and Article 2(a) of the Convention).

2. Labour market policy measures. The Government indicates that, in parallel with State action, such as the programme of young trainees for development, the Assembly of the South Province has established specific contracts for young persons under 26 years of age to facilitate their vocational integration. Specific action is also taken by the Province’s youth employment unit, which is specifically responsible for assisting young persons in their initiatives to find employment. The Government adds that it is promoting and developing lifelong training and that emphasis is being placed on combating failure at school and the adaptation of university and technical training to the needs of the local labour market. The Committee notes this information and requests the Government to supply any evaluation that is available on the results achieved by its various labour market policy measures, and particularly on the impact of specific contracts for young persons on their long-term vocational integration (Article 1, paragraph 2(c), and Article 2(b)).

3. Consultation of the representatives of the persons affected. The Government states that the consultation of representatives of employers and workers may take institutional form, through the Labour Advisory Commission, on all texts relating to employment, or be carried out through the Social Dialogue Commission. The Government specifies that these consultations may take various forms, such as informal consultation with economic actors and university and political bodies, or through consular chambers, such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or the Chamber of Trades, which are in turn composed of enterprise representatives. Finally, the Government indicates that the Economic and Social Council may undertake studies on specific points either at its own initiative, when matters are formally requested, or automatically for certain texts. The Committee takes due note of this information and requests the Government to continue providing examples of such consultations, including the opinions issued and the manner in which they have been taken into account (Article 3).