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1. Article 2 of the Convention. Promotion of equality between men and women. The Committee notes that the proportion of employed women rose from 13.96 per cent in 2003 to 16.09 per cent in 2006. The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s report, this development is the result of action taken by the public authorities and the social partners for the implementation of the national policy for the promotion of women and that economic growth offers greater employment opportunities. The Committee also notes that the National Council for the Family and Women has adapted its objectives to developments in the socio-economic context. The Committee observes that the new composition of the Council includes, in addition to representatives of ministerial departments and public institutions, universities, researchers and representatives of national associations. The Committee hopes that the Council will be in a position, on the basis on this new dynamic, to engage in its activities without delay. The Committee once again hopes that the National Council for the Family and Women will participate actively in the identification of obstacles which prevent the achievement of greater equality in employment and in the determination of new strategies to give full effect to the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the implementation of the national policy for the promotion of women, with particular reference to the measures adopted, in collaboration with the social partners, to ensure that the job opportunities arising out of economic growth allow greater participation by women in all sectors of the economy, as well as in managerial positions and positions of responsibilities. The Committee reiterates the request that it has been making to the Government for several years to provide information on the activities that are currently being undertaken or are envisaged by the National Council for the Family and Women. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the activities of the Ministry for the Family and the Status of Women.

2. Promotion of equality in relation to the other criteria covered by Article 1, paragraph 1(a). Noting that the Government has not provided information on all the grounds of discrimination enumerated in Article 1, paragraph 1(a), of the Convention, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation, in law and in practice, without any discrimination on grounds of race, colour, national extraction, religion, political opinion or social origin.

3. Promoting and ensuring the application of the Convention. Courts of law. Labour inspection. The Committee notes that no cases of discrimination have been brought before the courts. The Committee draws the Government’s attention to the fact that this situation does not necessarily imply the absence of discrimination and that it could be an indicator of the absence of effective procedures to resolve cases of discrimination and lack of knowledge of the rights and remedies available through the law in relation to equality. The Committee requests the Government to continue to keep it informed of any court decisions relating to the application of the Convention. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the inspections and activities carried out by the labour inspectorate relating to the application of the provisions of the Convention and the promotion of equality in employment and training. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on all the measures adopted to improve knowledge and understanding of the rights afforded to workers by the Convention and on the training provided to judges and labour inspectors relating to the application of the principles of the Convention.

4. Part V of the report form. Statistics. The Committee notes that the National Statistical Office carries out labour market surveys on a regular basis. The Committee emphasizes the importance of such statistical data so that the Government and the Committee can assess more effectively the progress achieved in the application of the Convention and the challenges which are still to be addressed. The Committee requests the Government to provide, in so far as possible, statistical data disaggregated by sex, race, ethnic origin and religion.