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The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report for the period ending in May 2006 addressing in detail the issues raised in the 2005 observation.

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends and active labour market policies. The Government’s report indicates that the unemployment rate was 8.5 per cent for the first quarter of 2005 as compared to 8.8 per cent in 2004. Statistics provided by Eurostat indicate that the unemployment rate was 7.8 per cent in March 2007. The economy is still marked by a large agricultural sector, employing 31.6 per cent of total workers in 2004, but the service sector has now become the leading one. Pursuant to the National Employment Strategy, the Government intends to increase employment levels and to adapt the labour force to current and future labour market needs through the implementation of active labour market measures. Improved labour market outcomes seem to have been achieved as a result of economic recovery in terms of efficiency, but also as a result of active labour market policies, which led to the integration of those workers traditionally more at risk of exclusion. In this respect, the Government provides in its report indications on the specific results achieved in placing persons with disabilities, individuals belonging to Roma minorities, young people and the long-term unemployed, during each of the three years of the implementation of the Action Plan for Employment. The Committee trusts that the Government will keep providing information on the impact of the National Employment Strategy 2004–10 on employment promotion and asks the Government to provide detailed information on the outcomes of the legislative framework interventions implemented between 2004–06, as well as more recent interventions.

2. Education and training policies. The Government indicates in its report that 28,032 persons have benefited from training programmes in 2004, 42,996 in 2005 and 50,000 were expected in 2006. The Government also indicates that active employment programmes guaranteed placement to 72 per cent of the unemployed population in 2004 and 65 per cent in 2005. The Government further indicates that the strategy for the continuing vocational training 2005–10 has been adopted and was drafted in collaboration with the social partners. The Committee asks the Government to keep providing information concerning training programmes for the unemployed and whether programme participants are enjoying lasting and productive employment. It would also like to receive information concerning measures envisaged or adopted in collaboration with the social partners in order to enhance the adaptability of the education system to labour market needs.

3. Means to promote employment for youth and other vulnerable categories of workers. The Government indicates in its report that youth unemployment reached 28.8 per cent in 2004 and describes the problem as a lack of coordination between the education system and labour market needs. Older persons close to retirement age and the long-term unemployed also face difficulties reintegrating into the labour market. Emergency Ordinance No. 65/2005 has promoted the employment of graduates and older workers by offering tax incentives to employers. The Government further indicates that the National Employment Agency launched a greater number of job fairs each year, both general ones at the national level and specific ones at local levels, for disadvantaged groups such as for the youth, persons with disabilities and members of the Roma minority. In August 2005, a “Caravan for Roma ethnics’ employment” was organized in over 200 communities. The Committee asks the Government to provide in its next report detailed information on the impact attained by the measures designed to encourage and support employment levels of vulnerable categories of workers such as younger workers, older workers, persons with disabilities and members of the Roma minority.

4. Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and application of policies. The Government indicates that it has held consultations with the social partners during the formulation of employment policy measures. The Government also indicates that the tripartite structure of the National Employment Agency assures permanent consultations with the social partners in regard to the elaboration of annual employment and training plans and the implementation of employment policies. The Committee recalls that the Convention asks Governments to ensure that the opinions of workers and employers organizations as well as other interested groups are to be consulted “with a view to taking fully into account their experience and views”. It asks the Government to provide in its next report concrete examples on the manner in which the views of the social partners, including of representatives of those working in the rural sector and the informal economy, are taken sufficiently into account in the development, implementation and review of employment policies and programmes.