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Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Active labour market measures. Youth unemployment. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in November 2008, replying to the observation of 2007. It notes that youth unemployment has decreased (from 26.6 per cent in 2006 to 20.3 per cent in 2007) due to more targeted active labour market policy measures and increased participation in education and training. The Government refers to the school leavers’ work experience programme as an efficient active labour market tool designed to prevent long-term unemployment of young persons under 25 years of age. This programme allows school leavers to acquire vocational skills and practical experience through work experience in a job which corresponds to the educational level they have achieved. The Committee further notes that under the National Reform Programme for 2008–10, a set of new active labour market policy measures were adopted in 2008 with the objective of decreasing regional differences in employment rates, especially in underdeveloped regions with high unemployment rates. It notes that long-term unemployment remains the highest in the European Union (EU) area (8.3 per cent in 2007 with the overall unemployment rate standing at 11 per cent) and the share of older workers in the labour force is far below the EU average. As regards other measures taken to ensure coordination between lifelong learning policies and prospective employment opportunities, the Committee notes that, by Resolution No. 382 of 25 April 2007, a Strategy of Lifelong Learning and Lifelong Counselling was established. The Committee asks the Government to include information in its next report on the impact of the measures taken in tackling regional disparities and long-term unemployment with specific reference to the measures implemented under the Strategy of Lifelong Learning and Lifelong Counselling in favour of young unemployed.

Roma minority. In reply to previous comments, the Government indicates that a number of pilot projects are being carried out to create employment opportunities for members of the Roma community through partnerships with regional governments, employers, Roma organizations, NGOs and public employment services. These measures include educational activities, financial support for the establishment of municipal social enterprises, and the provision of financial subsidies for job creation under the state budget. In this connection, the Government states that the objective to create job opportunities for the Roma minority and to offer education and training in line with the needs of the local labour market has been achieved to a modest extent. The Committee notes that a special focus has been placed on improving the level of educational attainment of the Roma minority with the adoption in 2008 of a new programme for upbringing and education of the Roma children and pupils, including promotion of their secondary and tertiary education. The Committee requests the Government to continue to report on the activities undertaken with a view to promoting productive employment of the Roma population, in particular with regard to the measures implemented to increase their success in achieving appropriate levels of qualifications and skills.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and application of policies. The Government reiterates that the comments of social partners are duly taken into account in the elaboration of legislative and other measures to be taken in relation to employment policy, notably through consultations carried out at the national level within the tripartite Economic and Social Council. It states that representatives of disadvantaged groups, including the Roma minority, have been consulted on the implementation of employment-related measures designed for disadvantaged jobseekers. The Committee also understands that under the National Reform Programme for 2008–10 the Government intends to review the labour legislation and that consultations with the social partners are expected to play a key part in this process. The Committee again asks the Government to provide indications in its next report on the progress made in involving the social partners in the design and application of employment policies.