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1. The Committee takes note of the statistical data on employment levels and trends provided by the Government in its last report. It notes that, despite a slight increase in employment in 1987, (the number of persons employed rose from 96,200 in 1986 to 97,900 in 1987), the unemployment rate remained high (almost 18 per cent in 1987). The brunt of unemployment was felt particularly by women (with a female unemployment rate of over 23 per cent) and young people of 15 to 24 years, who acount for almost 50 per cent of total unemployment (figures for 1987).

2. Please describe the main policies and measures adopted to promote employment, with particular reference to general and sectoral development policies and measures to satisfy the needs of specific categories of workers, particularly women and young people. Please provide information on the recommendations made by the Task Force on unemployment in 1987 and their implementation (Article 1 of the Convention).

3. The Committee appreciates the efforts made by the Government to collect and analyse statistical data on the labour market with the technical assistance of the ILO. It hopes that the next report will indicate how these data have been or are being used as a basis for decisions concerning employment policy, in order to decide on and keep under review the measures to be adopted (Article 2).

4. In its previous direct request, the Committee noted from the information provided by the Government that a number of initiatives had been taken in co-operation with employers' and workers' organisations. It also notes from the information supplied by the Office, that the social partners participated in the above-mentioned Task Force. It trusts that, in its next report, that the Government will provide the information requested by the report form on the manner in which representatives of the persons affected are consulted concerning employment policies (Article 3).

5. Part V of the report form. Please indicate the action undertaken as a result of the ILO/UNDP project for the promotion of income-generating activities through self-employment (BAR/86/002). Please indicate also any factors which may have prevented or delayed such action.