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Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. In reply to the direct request of 2005, the Government provides information in its report received in October 2008 on the major components of the National Development Plan 2006–10 and emphasizes the role of the Ministry of Agriculture and Stock Rearing in applying Articles 2 and 4 of the Convention. The Agricultural Development Institute supports actions designed to promote the development of rural communities with a low social development index. The Committee reiterates its interest in receiving an up to date evaluation in the Government’s next report of the manner in which it is ensured that “the improvement of standards of living” has been regarded as “the principal objective in the planning of economic development” (Article 2 of the Convention) and requests the Government to provide information on the results achieved regarding the promotion of productive capacity and the improvement of the standards of living of agricultural producers (Article 4).

Part III. Migrant workers. The Government refers in its report to the amnesty granted to migrant workers, addressing some 465,000 persons of Central American origin, the majority from Nicaragua. In 2008, the Directorate-General of Migration estimated that 185,000 migrant workers requested the renewal of their documents. The Government is seeking to conclude bilateral agreements with Nicaragua and Panama in the area of migration. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information on the measures taken to protect migrant workers.