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The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the following matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Article 1, paragraphs 1 and 2; Article 2, paragraph 2(a); and Articles 3 and 4 of the Convention. Please provide copies of the provisions that are currently in force concerning the training of the various categories of nursing personnel; the basic requirements as regards the education and training of nursing personnel; and the co-ordination of the education and training of nursing personnel with the education and training provided for other workers in the field of health. Furthermore, the Committee requests the Government to provide copies of the legislative provisions or regulations which specify the requirements for the practice of nursing care and services.

Article 1, paragraph 3. According to the report, use is made of the services of voluntary nursing personnel within the framework of the activities of the Congolese Red Cross. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate whether special rules have been established concerning such personnel and, if so, to supply copies of these texts which, according to the Convention, should not derogate from the provisions of Article 2, paragraph 2(a) and Articles 3, 4 and 7 of the Convention.

Article 2, paragraph 1. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government concerning the national health policy and the establishment of primary health care centres. It requests the Government to supply information on the number of centres that have been established, on the number of nursing personnel in primary health care centres, and on all other measures that have been taken or are contemplated to implement this policy.

Article 2, paragraph 2(b). Please supply detailed information on the categories that are applicable to nursing personnel in the public sector and their remuneration in relation to other public employees and other occupations, and on any other measures that have been taken to attract persons to the profession and retain them in it. The Committee also requests the Government to supply a copy of the collective agreement of 1960, to which it refers in its first report.

Article 2, paragraphs 3 and 4. Please indicate the manner in which consultation with the employers' and workers' organisations concerned with the formulation of the policy relating to nursing services and nursing personnel and the co-ordination of this policy with policies relating to other aspects of health care is carried out in practice. Please also state whether nursing personnel in the private sector are associated with this co-ordination and consultation procedure through their occupational organisations. The Committee notes in this connection that Ordinance No. 12-73 and Decree No. 73-166 of 18 May 1973, to which the Government refers, only deal with consultation at the enterprise level in the public sector.

Article 5, paragraph 2. Please indicate whether the conditions of employment and work of nursing personnel in the private sector are also determined by negotiation and, if so, supply copies of collective agreements that determine these conditions.

Article 5, paragraph 3. The Committee notes the information concerning discipline and the settlement of individual and non-collective disputes concerning nursing personnel in the private sector. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate whether there are other procedures for the settlement of disputes arising in connection with the determination of the terms and conditions of employment of nursing personnel. It also requests the Government to supply a copy of Decree No. 82/006 of 2 January 1982 to establish disciplinary councils.

Article 6(a), (c) and (d). The Committee requests the Government to supply copies of provisions relating to the public service which apply to nursing personnel as regards hours of work, paid annual holidays and educational leave.

Article 7. The Committee notes that the Government is currently preparing new measures on the health and safety of nursing personnel. It requests the Government to keep it informed of any progress achieved in this respect.