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The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2002 direct request, which read as follows:

Article 1 of the Convention. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s brief report for the period ending March 2002. Further to previous comments, it notes that public placement services are offered only in the Belize City Office. During the period from January 2000 to March 2002, a total of 78 jobseekers and five vacancies were registered with the Belize City Office, and five people were placed in jobs. The Committee recalls its previous comments concerning Article 10 of the Convention, and again requests further information on measures taken in addition to newspaper advertisements of the public placement services, to encourage full use of the employment services.

The Committee notes that no progress has been made during the reporting period on the points raised in its 1999 direct request. It again draws the Government’s attention to the following points, and encourages the Government to take the necessary measures to give full effect to these provisions of the Convention.

Articles 4 and 5. The Committee notes that the Government’s report contains no new information on progress made in setting up advisory committees to facilitate cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations in the implementation of the Convention. It recalls the importance of participation of the social partners in the development of employment service policy and asks the Government to specify what measures have been taken or envisaged to give effect to these provisions of the Convention.

Articles 7(b) and 8. The Committee again requests information on the measures taken to meet adequately the needs of particular categories of applicants for employment, such as disabled persons and juveniles.

Part IV of the report form. The Committee would appreciate continuing to receive statistics on the number of applicants, job vacancies, placements and other relevant information on the practical application of the Convention.