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The Committee notes the Government’s report for the period ending December 2005, which substantially repeats the information provided in its previously received report in 2003. It notes the observation submitted by the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), which is included in the Government’s report, along with statistical data for 2005 provided by the Government.

1. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes that unemployment levels have remained relatively stable. Whereas unemployment among men rose between 2001 (7.2 per cent) and 2005 (8 per cent), women’s unemployment fell by 1.2 per cent over the same period. The Committee recalls from the Government’s previous report the efforts of the Bureau of Gender Affairs in mainstreaming the concept of gender with the objective of providing greater benefits for women in the area of employment, and to the work realized by the Ministry of Social Transformation that, through a number of programmes, is assisting in generating employment for its predominantly female clientele. In addition, the Committee recalls the efforts of the urban and rural development commissions to promote the development of the infrastructure and encourage rural employment creation both in agriculture and in non-agricultural activities. The Committee would appreciate receiving comprehensive information in the Government’s next report on the programmes implemented and their impact on employment promotion both in the aggregate and as they affect particular categories of workers such as women, young persons, older workers and those in the rural sector. Please also supply information on underemployment as requested in previous comments.

2. Collection and use of employment data. The Government explains that the Statistical Department and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security are responsible for collecting and analysing data concerning the size and distribution of the labour force. Please provide information on how the various policies and programmes to promote employment are kept under periodical review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention).

3. Persons with disabilities. In its previous report, the Government provided information on the development of a Green Paper on persons with disabilities that outlined a strategic approach to improving the situation of disabled workers in the labour market. The Government might consider it useful to refer to the instruments on people with disabilities adopted by the Conference in 1983 (Convention No. 159 and Recommendation No. 168). The Committee would  be grateful if the Government would include data in its next report on the integration of workers with disabilities into the labour market.

4. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of policies. The Committee notes that discussions on employment policies are held with the social partners. It recalls that a national consultation on the economy was convened in 2002 to seek the support of the social partners in maintaining employment levels in view of the global economic downturn. A three-month moratorium was agreed upon in relation to wage negotiations in key sectors of the economy. The Committee reiterates its request for further details on the manner in which consultations are held with representatives of the social partners, including representatives of rural and informal sector workers, and on the outcome of these consultations concerning employment policies (Article 3).

5. The Committee notes that the BWU’s statement, which closely follows the provisions on the informal economy in the Employment Policy (Supplementary Provisions) Recommendation, 1984 (No. 169), expresses concern that average incomes in the informal economy are lower than those in the formal economy. The Committee notes the BWU’s support for policy interventions on behalf of micro-enterprises and the self-employed aimed at promoting increased access to credit facilities and market information, formal education and training and, generally, the provision of decent work in the informal economy. In this regard, the Committee refers to the conclusions of the general discussion on the informal economy at the International Labour Conference (ILC, Provisional Record No. 25, 90th Session, Geneva, 2002) and invites the Government to report on its efforts to promote decent work for informal economy workers.