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The Committee notes the reports supplied by the Government for the period ending June 2003, as well as the complete information that it provided in reply to its previous comment.

1. Article 1 of the Convention. The Government states that the period in question was characterized by declining employment growth and a reduction in the number of the economically active population. Despite adverse economic conditions in 2001, unemployment remained low at an estimated 2 per cent; this situation is partially explained through the simultaneous decrease in labour force participation. Since 1992, employment has shrunk by approximately 550,000 jobs. In 2001 approximately 770,000 persons, or 12.8 per cent of the working age population, was classified as inactive. Additionally, underemployment grew considerably: 238,000 persons were working on a part-time basis, a 58.3 per cent increase over the year 2000. Redistribution of the labour force continued: in 2000 the manufacturing sector employed 70 per cent of the labour force and the service sector 30 per cent; in 2001 the corresponding figures were 68 and 32 per cent respectively. The Committee would appreciate it if the Government would continue to send statistics that are as detailed as possible, including information on the impact of restructuring of employment and disaggregated data by age and gender.

2. The Committee notes the Government’s statement concerning the development of an active labour market policy through the annual elaboration and implementation of the State National Employment Programme aimed at promoting employment and protecting the population against unemployment while increasing efficiency in the use of labour resources. The main focuses of the active labour market policy are: developing entrepreneurship as a means to job creation; combating long-term unemployment; improving retraining programmes for laid-off workers; the development of a system of vocational guidance for schoolchildren and youths and the development of the system of paid public work. The Committee would appreciate receiving more detailed information in the Government’s report on the various programmes implemented as well as any assessment of their effectiveness and eventual outcomes in terms of employment creation.

3. As regards disadvantaged groups in the labour market, including young people, the Committee notes the measures taken or under consideration; it observes that the Government envisages modifying legislation in view of promoting employment among persons who are not capable of competing on an equal footing in the labour market. Please provide information on developments in these matters as far as they relate to the employment policy objectives identified in the Convention, including any contribution of the measures taken towards attaining the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment.

4. Article 2. The Committee notes that the State National Employment Programme, approved by Decision No. 15 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus on 8 January 2001, provides for the strengthening of the role of the bodies of state administration, employers and voluntary associations in addressing the problems of local labour markets and giving support to areas with the highest unemployment. The Government states that the process of the elaboration of the employment programme is preceded by forecasting of estimated parameters of the labour markets of the towns, districts, regions and Republic. The information gathered is used to identify measures adapted to mitigating the situation of the labour market and preventing unemployment growth. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on how employment programmes and policies are reviewed within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

5. Article 3. The Committee notes the information received on the consultative role of the National Council on Labour and Social Matters and in particular of its duty of supervising and controlling the implementation of the employment programmes and its function in the threat of a mass release of workers. It asks the Government to provide more information on the negotiation of tripartite agreements on the matters covered by the Convention within the framework of the National Council on Labour and Social Matters and on any other efforts to effectively engage social partners in the consultations on employment policy.