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1. The Committee notes the measures taken by the Government to promote gender equality, which consist of schooling, initial and refresher training and practical projects aimed at developing women’s capabilities. However, the Committees notes that the statistical information provided by the Government shows that 90.9 per cent of women are employed in the agricultural sector, compared to 68.2 per cent of men and that a low percentage of women are employed as high-level managers/bosses (0.2 per cent) compared to men (0.6 per cent) (1997 Census). The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the concrete measures taken to promote equality between men and women and to ensure that the measures have a positive and visible impact on the position of women in the labour market, including increasing their access to non-traditional sectors and to decision-making positions.

2. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that discrimination against female workers may take place from time to time in practice, in particular in relation to pregnancy and maternal protection. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the programmes undertaken to raise awareness of the employers and workers on the rights of non-discrimination and equality in employment and to improve enforcement of laws and agreements protecting such rights.

3. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that there are no specific data recorded by the National Labour Inspectorate regarding the implementation of the Convention and the relevant labour laws. The Committee recalls that inspection statistics are an essential tool in evaluating the progress achieved in the application of the national policy and laws on the elimination of discrimination. The Committee hopes the Government will be in a position to indicate in its next report specific measures taken to improve the knowledge base of the labour inspectorate on matters of discrimination and the recording of complaints and corrective action taken to enhance application of the Convention.

4. The Committee requests once again the Government to provide copies of any administrative or judicial decisions issued during the reporting period relevant to the application of the non-discrimination principle of the Convention.