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The Committee notes the Government’s report and the numerous attachments.

1.  The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the Industrial Relations Bill, which is currently being examined by the National Assembly, contains new measures concerning employment and occupational discrimination. It notes with interest that the new provisions set out in the Bill establish broader protection against discrimination in employment. It notes that section 6 of the Bill prohibits discrimination on all the grounds set out in the Convention, as well as age, health condition and special needs, membership of a trade union, social background, civil or financial status, sexual orientation or any other personal circumstances. It also notes with interest that, under the terms of this section, direct as well as indirect discrimination is prohibited and that the burden of proof of the non-existence of discrimination lies with the employer where the facts alleged by the complainant would justify the assumption of discrimination. The Committee also notes the general prohibition of gender specification in job vacancies and the principle of equal remuneration for men and women. Discriminatory clauses are declared null and void. The Committee awaits with interest the provision of a copy of the new Industrial Relations Act once it is adopted and hopes that it will contain the above provisions.

2.  The Committee notes with interest the various measures taken by the Government to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment for women. It notes that, following the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, the Government issued a decree which bound all competent ministries and other institutions to take into account the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women in preparing policies, programmes and measures, and to take measures for the implementation of its provisions. Finally, it notes the varied activities of the Women’s Policy Office, ranging from supervising cases of discrimination (receiving complaints from women who consider that they have been the victims of discrimination) to awareness campaigns for the competent institutions and the public, and research and studies on measures to reduce and then eliminate discrimination against women. It requests the Government to continue keeping it informed of the measures taken by the Women’s Policy Office and to provide information on developments on the situation of women in the employment market.

3.  The Committee notes with interest that, in the context of its programme for the elimination of discrimination on grounds of sex, the Women’s Policy Office also ensures that school and educational programmes do not perpetuate sexist stereotypes in relation to the vocational choices of girls and boys. The Committee notes, in reply to the question it raised in its previous direct request, that, since the school year 1998-99, the Secondary Police School has opened its doors to girls, of whom 26 were enrolled in 1998.

4.  The Committee notes from the Government’s report that its employment policies for 1999 include the development of programmes for the integration of the Roma population and other groups experiencing difficulties in finding employment. It notes that the objective of these programmes is to increase the employment opportunities of these groups and to improve their economic situation and social integration. The Committee also notes the efforts made in the field of education, particularly with regard to the language in which education should be imparted for the Roma, and the Italian and Hungarian minorities. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether progress has been achieved since the implementation of these programmes in the areas of communication between the majority population and the Roma and their integration into social life and the employment market. It also requests the Government to provide information concerning any cases of discrimination on grounds of race in the field of employment and the specific measures taken in this field.