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1. The Committee takes note of the Government’s report and of the study of August 2000 by the Malian Federation of Associations of Persons with Disabilities on the preliminary draft of the Bill and Decree respecting the protection of persons with disabilities. It notes in particular that the draft Social Protection Code appears to have been abandoned in 2000 to make way for a Framework Bill on the protection of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that the application of several provisions of the Convention is subject to the adoption of this Bill (Articles 1, 2, 3 and 7 of the Convention). It therefore hopes that the Bill will be adopted in the near future and that it will take into account the points raised below. The Government is requested to provide a copy of the Framework Act and its implementing decrees once they have been adopted.

2. Article 2 of the Convention. The Government indicates in its report that the national policy promotes the vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities so as to help them find stable and lasting employment. The Committee notes with interest that, between 2002 and 2003, 67 young persons with disabilities were integrated into the public service and that 50 became entrepreneurs. A savings and credit fund (handi-caisse) has also been established for young persons with disabilities. The Committee asks the Government to continue providing information on the implementation and periodical review of the national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities.

3. Article 3. The Committee notes that the Framework Bill on the protection of persons with disabilities provides for various measures to promote the employment opportunities of persons with disabilities on the labour market and it asks the Government to indicate the measures adopted to give effect to these provisions of the Bill.

4. Article 4. The Government indicates in its report that effective equality of opportunity and treatment between workers with disabilities and other workers is guaranteed by the Labour Code, the general conditions of service of public servants and the ratification of Conventions Nos. 100 and 111. The Committee refers to the comments that it is making on the application of Conventions Nos. 100 and 111 and asks the Government to provide additional information on the measures adopted to ensure effective equality of opportunity and treatment both between workers with disabilities and workers in general, and between men and women workers with disabilities.

5. Article 5. The Committee notes with interest the role of the Malian Federation of Associations of Persons with Disabilities in the implementation of the national policy. It asks the Government to continue providing information on this matter and on the consultations held with the representative organizations of employers and workers during the period covered by the next report.

6. Article 7. The Committee notes that the Framework Bill on the protection of workers with disabilities provides for measures in the fields of "vocational training, placement and the integration of persons with disabilities" and it asks the Government to indicate the measures adopted under these provisions of the Bill. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the other related services established to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

7. Article 8. The Committee refers to its previous direct request and asks the Government to indicate the measures adopted to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities.

8. Article 9. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the measures taken to ensure that suitably qualified staff in the fields of vocational rehabilitation, vocational guidance and vocational training, placement and employment are available to persons with disabilities.

9. Part V of the report form. The Committee asks the Government to provide up-to-date information in its next report on the application of the Convention in practice, including the results of the programmes implemented in the context of the national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities, statistics, extracts from reports and inquiries.