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1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee takes note of the information contained in the Government’s report received in October 2006, and the supplementary information and comments provided thereon by the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ) and the Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK), annexed to the report. The Government indicates that, in 2004, the rate of unemployment declined, for the first time since 1999, to 10.3 per cent and remained unchanged in 2005. The Committee notes that the survey‑based unemployment rates produced by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports Turkey’s unemployment rate at 9.9 per cent for 2006. The Committee notes that TÜRK-İŞ expressed its concern that, despite an overall economic growth of 35 per cent from 2002 to 2006, there has not been a significant change in the number of people in employment. It hopes that the information contained in the next report on active employment policy measures implemented by the Government under the Convention will enable the Committee to examine the extent to which economic growth translates into better labour market outcomes and poverty reduction.

2. The Government has reported that to tackle unemployment, active employment policies have been implemented through various institutions and organizations. To this end, the Ministry of National Education has been charged with administering programmes for professional training, while the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞ-KUR) is tasked with analysing matters related to the labour market, and undertaking consultations with social partners, with a view to developing, implementing, and keeping under review, programmes for professional training. The Administration for the Development and Support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (KOSGEB) has been, similarly, developing programmes to assist its particular sector. The Government reports that all such programmes have also been developed with due regard to the female working population. The Committee would welcome information on the principal policies pursued by the Government, with particular regard to labour market policies developed in order to match labour supply and demand, on both an occupational and geographical basis.

3. Particular categories of workers. The Committee notes that the unemployment rate of women was 10.3 per cent in 2005, and that for young men 20.1 per cent in 2004, and 19.3 per cent in 2005. TÜRK-İŞ expresses its concern that over 1 million young people, graduates from universities, high schools and equivalent vocational schools are unemployed, and young people entering the labour market for the first time are finding it increasingly difficult to find work or to be offered salaries to match their qualifications. TİSK observes that the following measures have been planned to be executed as part of the 2006 Government Programme with a view to eliminating the difficulties encountered by women and youth seeking to enter the labour market: (a) the provision of effective and extensive enterprise training, in which youth and women will be encouraged to become more enterprising, through the provision of professional information, guidance, advice and training; and (b) the development of work experience programmes entails organizing short-term working arrangements for youth and women in selected workplaces to facilitate their entry into the labour market. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken, and results thereof, aimed at improving access of women and youth to the labour market.

4. Article 3. Participation of social partners in the formulation and application of policies. The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government, in response to its request for information in its 2004 observation, on the manner in which consultations are held with representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations in the Economic and Social Council (EKOSOK). The Committee notes TÜRK-İŞ’ indication that the Government and social partners are continuing to work on the adaptation of the structure of the Council in order to establish a structure where representatives from the social parties for the majority, and a platform for effective social dialogue and conciliation. The Committee notes that EKOSOK has held two further meetings between November 2003 and March 2005 in which it discussed restructuring the Council, sought views on the role to be played by civil society in EU accession talks, and undertook a general assessment of social policy and employment, further to the 2004 Development Report, and that further meetings were held with respect to social security reform. The Committee also notes that TİSK formulates some suggestions which may contribute to addressing Turkey’s employment situation. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on how such recommendations, and those of other social partners, are considered in the formulation and implementation of active employment policies, including through such mechanisms as EKOSOK, so as to fully take into account their experiences and views.

5. Part V of the report form. ILO technical assistance. The Committee notes the comments provided by TÜRK-İŞ on the value of the technical cooperation project implemented by the ILO in encouraging social dialogue to promote employment and address unregistered unemployment in Turkey. The Committee requests that the Government describe in its next report the actions that have been taken as a result of the ILO technical cooperation activities carried out in Turkey.