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The Committee notes the Government's report, as well as the information annexed thereto, in particular the 1996 Employment Review, "a Study on the Modern Sector" which contains much statistical data.

1. The Committee notes, from the 1996 Employment Review, that the average wage for women is higher than that for men, since the proportion of women occupying relatively well-paid posts is higher than that of men. It notes however that women's representation in the labour market, although increasing, remains limited (13.86 per cent) due to persistent obstacles to access to education for young girls, especially in rural zones. Noting with interest the efforts implemented by the Government for the promotion of women in Malian society, and in particular the recent adoption of Ordinance No. 99-009/P-RM of 1 April 1999 establishing the National Directorate for the Promotion of Women, as well as Decree No. 99-156/PM-RM of 16 June 1999 establishing the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the Promotion of Women, Children and the Family, the Committee asks the Government to provide information regarding these bodies and copies of all studies or reports arising from their activities. In particular, the Committee wishes to obtain information on measures taken to promote the access of girls to all levels of education, which are crucial if the participation of women in the employment market, including at decision-taking level, is to be increased.

2. The Committee notes the Government's indication that it wishes to conform to the requirements of the Convention, but that the technical assistance it had requested from the ILO on objective evaluation of jobs had not yet been provided. The Committee hopes that the Office will be able to fulfil this request soon. In the meantime, it asks the Government to refer to paragraphs 19-23 and 52-70 of its 1986 General Survey on equal remuneration, which provide clarification regarding certain evaluation methods. It would also be grateful if the Government would keep it informed on all future developments in this sphere.

3. The Committee notes the index table annexed to Act No. 95-001 of 18 January 1995. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply information on the jobs corresponding to each class and each level of this grill as well as the requirements specified for these jobs.