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1. The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending May 1998, which contains information on the situation of the labour market and the level of unemployment. During the period under review, unemployment increased from 10.1 per cent in January 1997 to 11.3 per cent in June 1998. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information in its next report on the situation, level and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment in the country on both an occupational and geographical basis. Please also describe any measures taken to ensure the matching of labour supply and demand, such as early retirement measures or measures for the adjustment of labour to structural change resulting from the economic reforms implemented during the period under review (Article 1 of the Convention).

2. The Committee notes the information on the measures taken by the Federal Employment Service (FES) to provide work for citizens who are available for and seeking work. The Committee notes that the majority of active labour market programmes implemented by the FES have been made available only to registered jobseekers. It would be grateful if the Government would include in its next report an assessment of the impact of the different programmes implemented. Please also indicate if there are any measures envisaged to promote productive employment in favour of all categories of persons frequently experiencing difficulties in securing lasting and decent employment.

3. Please describe employment programmes launched in underdeveloped or disadvantaged areas, areas of industrial decline or any area which may not have benefited satisfactorily from a balanced regional development. Please describe any employment policy initiatives taken by local authorities in this respect.

4. Article 3. The Government states in its report that coordinating committees comprising representatives of the trade union federations, workers' and employers' organizations, the employment services and governmental and non-governmental organizations representing the interests of citizens with special needs in social protection have been established within the social partnership framework at national and regional levels to define and implement agreed employment policy decisions. Having in mind the improvements which may be required to achieve the objectives of the Convention, the Committee trusts that social dialogue on programmes and measures promoting employment and combating unemployment will be strengthened through the Coordinating Committees for the Promotion of Employment. It further hopes that the next report will include information on any progress made in respect of the consultations required by the Convention and the issues raised in this direct request.