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The Committee notes the Government's detailed report.

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. In its observation of December 1995, the Committee asked the Government to provide information on progress made in extending the competence of the regional labour commissions and in bringing about participation in their activities by all concerned parties, to enable them to fulfil the role of local bodies for vocational placement. The Government indicates in its report for the period ending in June 1998 that the public placement agencies no longer play an effective role in the management of the labour market. Efforts made by the public authorities to modernize these agencies have instead resulted in the establishment of a number of Employment Information and Guidance Centres (CIOPE) whose activities cover every aspect of employment throughout the country. An evaluation study of the public employment services is currently under way and the Government is planning to ratify the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181).

The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide in its next report, general information on the working of the CIOPE, and information on measures taken to coordinate the activities of the public and private agencies with a view to combating unemployment.