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The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in July 2001 in reply to its observation of 2000, and the detailed report received in November 2002.

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. The Government states in its report that between January 2000 and January 2001 there was an increase in GDP of around 3 per cent, resulting in the creation of 656,000 new jobs. The positive results include a reduction in the unemployment rate which, for the first time in the past decade, fell below 10 per cent. The reforms carried out have created a conducive environment for the occupational integration of women, young persons and long-term unemployed. The report also included detailed information on the measures adopted to promote the employment of elderly workers and persons with disabilities. While employment increased in all regions, employment in the Mezzogiorno rose at a slower rate. The measures adopted in practice to combat youth unemployment in the Mezzogiorno include apprenticeship training, contracts combining work and training, as well as vocational guidance and training. These programmes are designed to bring young persons into direct contact with the world of work. Approximately 20,000 apprentices were trained between 1998 and 1999, with the Government’s objective consisting of the training of around 70,000 young persons in 2000. The unemployment rate for young persons fell slightly from 33.8 per cent in 1998 to 31.1 per cent in 2000. The Committee also notes that despite the rise in employment that occurred as a consequence of the labour market reforms introduced since the mid-1990s, employment and participation rates are low, particularly in the South, and among young people, women and people above the age of 55. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would include in its next report information on the measures taken to avoid the risk of developing a dual labour market, particularly in view of the increase in atypical forms of employment, and to implement structural reforms particularly to improve the coordination of education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

2. The Government also refers in its report to various legislative initiatives (for the implementation of European Community Directives, provisions respecting illegal work and budgetary laws) relating to labour policy. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue providing information in its next report on the manner in which the labour market measures have contributed to the achievement of the objectives of full and productive employment, as set out in the Convention.

3. The Government states that the activity rate of women is the highest achieved up to the present, but that it proposes to promote further the participation of women in the labour market by means of training services and special placement services, as well as through measures to improve the balance between work and life. The percentage of unemployed women fell from 16.1 per cent in 1998 to 14.5 per cent in 2000. Nevertheless, the possibilities for women to obtain stable employment with a permanent contract continued to be lower than those of men. The Committee would be grateful to continue receiving information on the measures adopted to increase the employment of women and the results achieved.

4. The Committee notes that the Government intends to reform the public employment service with European Union funds to facilitate the achievement of its commitments under the European Employment Strategy. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would also include information in its next report on the progress achieved in reforming the public employment service.

5. Article 3. The Committee notes the observations made by the General Confederation of Industry (CONFINDUSTRIA), which were attached to the Government’s report. CONFINDUSTRIA refers to the information available on the national employment plans issued annually by the Governments of Member States of the European Communities. CONFINDUSTRIA emphasizes the systematic and decisive role played by the social partners in determining labour policies and that this role has to be fulfilled in compliance with the rules of social dialogue. In this respect, the Committee trusts that the Government will include updated information in its next report on the consultations that have been held with the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations with a view to taking fully into account their experience and views and securing their full cooperation in formulating and enlisting support for the employment policy.