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In its report for the period ending May 1998, the Government states that there are 3,553,600 workers, 2,836,325 of which are male and 717,335 female. There are 324,618 unemployed persons, or 9 per cent of the labour force. The Committee notes this information. It also notes that the Government has established a database on the labour market, and would appreciate receiving more detailed information on the trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment, including information on particular categories of workers and sectors, as it becomes available, as requested in the report form under Article 1 of the Convention.

The Government explains that it has prepared a five-year plan (1996-2000) for employment promotion. Measures taken include reforming the financial and administrative system to decrease inflation, stabilize the currency, reduce the budget deficit and encourage investment; and enacting an Order to Establish a Labour Council, and preparing a draft Trade Union Act. It has promulgated a Social Care Act and created a social protection network to reduce the effects of structural reforms on the poor and prevent unemployment. It has also created a social development fund for loans and vocational training in support of small and medium enterprises, and an agricultural support fund which makes loans to small farmers. The Committee notes these various programmes with interest and would appreciate receiving further information on their impact on attaining the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment.

The Committee also notes the various measures taken to improve education and vocational training, including enacting legislation and establishing funds. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on the progress made in increasing the skills level of the labour force and coordinating education and training with labour market demands. It also asks the Government to specify the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that the vocational training programmes are equally available to both men and women.

The Government states that legislation has been adopted and various programmes developed in consultation with the social partners and non-governmental organizations. The Committee notes this information and asks the Government to continue to specify the manner in which representatives of employers' and workers' organizations and rural and informal sector workers are consulted concerning the development and review of employment policies within a framework of coordinated economic and social policy, as required by Article 3, in conjunction with Article 2.