CMNT_TITLE

1. The Committee notes with interest the Government's second and third reports for the periods ending June 1995 and June 1996 respectively. Referring also to the most recent data from the OECD, it notes that the increase in unemployment recorded during the previous period has been reversed and that after peaking at 5 per cent in 1995 the unemployment rate has been brought down to 4.3 per cent in 1996, while maintaining high activity rates. In this respect, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply in its next reports detailed statistical information on the active population, employment and unemployment, like those provided in its second report.

2. The Committee notes the full information on the main trends in economic policy conducted during the period which are supplied in reply to the relevant questions on the report form. It requests the Government to continue to supply such information. The Committee notes in particular that the objectives of monetary, budgetary and exchange rate policies seem to be largely attained while the unemployment rate still remains higher than that which prevailed during the previous decade. It requests the Government to indicate how any measures taken for attaining employment objectives are kept under review "within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy", in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention.

3. The Committee notes the indications on the application of active labour market policy measures and would be grateful if the Government would supply in its next report a description of the various programmes implemented, specifying the number of their beneficiaries. In addition, please indicate any new measures which have been taken to bring education and training policies more in line with employment prospects.

4. The Committee notes the detailed information supplied in the second report on the work of the consultative committee to the Employment Office and the Vocational Education Council, and requests the Government to continue to supply information on consultations with the social partners on the subject of policies which are conducted in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention.