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The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report received in June 1992, as well as Decree No. 247 of 31 October 1984 which provides for some measures to promote employment opportunities for disabled persons in the open labour market. The Committee also notes the technical meeting organized by the ILO, in November 1992 in Bogota, on the application of Convention No. 159 in Latin America, and that the Government representative of El Salvador participated in that meeting.

The Government states in its report that among its priority objectives is the elaboration of the national policy of vocational rehabilitation, as well as an annual programme with a view to provide for a periodical review of the national policy. The Committee asks the Government to provide, in its next report, information on any progress achieved in this regard, in order to give effect to Article 2 of the Convention. Please also supply copies of the policy statements, as soon as they are adopted, as required by point I of the report form.

The Committee notes the Government's statement in the report to the effect that there is no general consciousness among employers at the national level of equality of opportunity between disabled workers and workers generally. It asks the Government to indicate, in its next report, how effect is given or is proposed to be given to Article 4 which provides that the national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of disabled persons shall be based on the principle of equal opportunity between disabled workers and workers generally. Please also indicate any special positive measures, besides those provided in the above-mentioned Decree No. 247, aimed at effective equality of opportunity and treatment between disabled workers, whether men or women, and other workers.

The Committee further notes from the Government's report that there has been no consultation with the representative organizations of employers and workers, or with representative organizations of and for disabled persons, on the implementation of the national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of disabled persons. The Committee trusts that appropriate measures will be taken by the Government in the near future, in accordance with Article 5, with a view to provide for such consultation with the above-mentioned organizations on the matters referred to in this Article.

The Committee also notes from the Government's report that the Social Security Institute of El Salvador elaborated, in 1988, the first formal Vocational Rehabilitation Project covering various aspects of vocational rehabilitation of disabled persons. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply a copy of this Project with its next report and indicate whether this Project has already been put into operation or soon will be. Please also indicate any other action at the national level for the development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for disabled persons, as required by Articles 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the Convention. Please provide statistical information, as soon as it is available, as well as extracts from reports, studies and inquiries concerning matters covered by the Convention, in accordance with point V of the report form.