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Repetition

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Active labour market measures. Youth unemployment. The Committee noted in its 2009 observation the Government’s report received in November 2008. It noted that youth unemployment had 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 referred 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 noted 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 noted that long-term unemployment was 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 was far below the EU average. As regards other measures taken to ensure coordination between lifelong learning policies and prospective employment opportunities, the Committee noted that, by Resolution No. 382 of 25 April 2007, a Strategy of Lifelong Learning and Lifelong Counselling was established. The Committee once again 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 persons.

Roma minority. The Government indicated in its November 2008 report that a number of pilot projects were 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 included 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 stated 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 noted that a special focus was 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 once again requests the Government 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 implementation of policies. In its November 2008 report, the Government reiterated that the comments of the 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 stated 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 once again asks the Government to provide indications in its next report on the progress made in involving the social partners in the design and implementation of employment policies.