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1. The Committee notes the report received in June 2003, which in some respects is similar to the Government’s previous report. In its observation of 2001, the Committee noted that employment promotion was among the Government’s priorities and that a national employment policy was still in the process of being drawn up. It noted that a programme entitled "Component of the formulation of the national employment policy (CFPN)", a steering committee and a National Employment Promotion Agency (AGUIPE) had been established, and that a framework document for employment policy had been prepared with ILO assistance. The Committee further recalls that in February 2000 the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund were of the view that Guinea could apply for a debt reduction plan under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. It once again asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the measures taken as a result of the assistance received from the ILO in relation to employment policy, and to indicate any particular difficulties that have been encountered in achieving the established employment objectives, in the framework of a coordinated social and economic policy and in consultation with the representatives of the persons affected, in accordance with Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention.

2. The Committee notes that in January 2002 the Government approved the final version of its Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). The specific objectives of the PRSP include increased income, broader access to high-quality basic services and the reduction of inequalities between regions and between socio-economic groups. To attain these objectives a strategy has been devised which consists of three components: acceleration of economic growth; development of and equitable access to basic social services; improvement of governance and strengthening of institutions and human resources. The Committee notes that the measures envisaged include the adoption of a law on the privatization of public enterprises which provides for the winding-up of enterprises deemed to be non-viable, and the restructuring and privatization of those that can be made profitable. It asks the Government to specify in its next report how the strategy to combat poverty contributes to the creation of productive employment in the context of a coordinated economic and social policy, conducted in consultation with representatives of the persons affected. Please also provide copies of any such reports, studies or surveys and other detailed statistics that will facilitate an assessment of the situation, level and trends of employment.