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The Committee notes with interest the detailed information supplied by the Government in reply to its previous comments and asks the Government to refer also to the observation it is making on this Convention at the present session.

1. The Committee noted in its previous comments that articles 4 and 5 of the National Constitution, which establish the equality of all citizens before the law, without distinction as to sex, nationality, race, language and religious and political conviction, make no mention of certain other grounds listed in Article 1(a) of the Convention, i.e., colour, national extraction and social origin. It therefore requested the Government to indicate how the elimination of all discrimination in employment and occupation on the above grounds is ensured in both legislation and practice. As the Government's report contains no reply to this question, the Committee hopes that the information requested will be included in the next report.

2. As regards women more particularly, the Committee notes with interest the new legislative measures taken by the Government to eliminate discrimination on grounds of sex in employment, social security and parental leave. It also notes the action undertaken by the General Secretariat for Equality and the Committees for the Equality of the Sexes operating at local level throughout the country, and the efforts and progress made with regard to women's access to vocational guidance and training, particularly for trades in which women are not traditionally employed. The Committee hopes that the Government will continue to supply information (including statistical data) on any further progress in promoting the principle of equality of opportunity set forth in the Convention.

3. With regard to the public sector, the Committee notes that although more women have acceded to higher-level posts in recent years - especially since the adoption of Act No. 1586 of 1986 respecting the structure of grades in the public sector - their number remains fairly limited. It none the less notes with interest that the Government plans to extend the coverage of Act No. 1414 of 1984 respecting the equality of the sexes to this sector, and that Act No. 1483 of 1984 respecting the protection of workers with family responsibilities already applies to this sector by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 193 of 1988. The Committee hopes that the Government will pursue its efforts to promote the principle of the equality of the sexes, including in the public sector, and that it will provide information on the progress made in this area. Furthermore, the Committee again requests the Government to transmit a copy of the full text of the new Conditions of Service of Public Servants, and a copy of Act No. 1320 of 1983 concerning recruitment, with its next report.

4. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that article 116, subsection 2 of the National Constitution, and section 10, subsections 1(b) and 3, of Act No. 1414 permit certain exceptions to the principle of the equality between the sexes, and asked the Government to provide examples of the application of these provisions in practice. As the report did not contain any information on this matter, the Committee hopes that this information will be provided with the next report.