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1. The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending June 1998 and the useful information that it contains in reply to its previous request. Observing with interest the fact that labour force surveys are now conducted periodically, the Committee notes the Government's explanations concerning the significant gap between the rate of registered unemployment, established on the basis of data provided by the employment service, and the much lower rate derived from labour force surveys. It requests the Government to continue providing information that is as complete as possible on the situation and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, and on the levels of the various forms of informal employment.

2. The Committee notes the adoption in February 1998 of a national employment policy with the priorities of economic growth, the reduction of taxes and deregulation, as well as the assistance provided to categories of the population encountering particular difficulties. It notes that the results which have been obtained in controlling inflation and the budgetary deficit, as well as the rapid rate of economic growth, have not made it possible to reduce the level of unemployment during the period. The Committee requests the Government to state whether fiscal and monetary policies are reviewed in terms of their actual or expected effects on employment. Please also provide information on the manner in which the policy to reduce labour costs contributes to the promotion of employment and, more generally, on incomes and wages policies.

3. The Committee notes the new series of active labour market measures envisaged in the national employment policy. It would be grateful if the Government would provide with its next report any evaluation that is available of the effectiveness of each of these measures in terms of the lasting integration of their beneficiaries in employment. Please continue to provide information on vocational training and retraining activities.

4. Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee notes that the Government refers to the participation of the Socio-Economic Council in the definition, monitoring and evaluation of labour market policies. It requests the Government to provide examples of the subjects covered by the Council, the opinions issued and the manner in which they are taken into account. The Committee notes that, according to the Government, it is regrettable that representatives of sectors of the active population such as the informal sector and the rural sector are not associated in the formulation of employment policy. Please indicate whether measures have been taken or are envisaged to associate representatives of other persons concerned, in addition to organizations of employers and workers, in consultations on employment policies.