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1. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s first two reports, which cover a period ending in May 2003. It notes in particular the principles and objectives of the employment policy, established in Act No. 4/98, which provides that the policy must be coordinated with other economic and social policies and ensure the participation of the social partners in its implementation. The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report all available statistical data on the situation and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment disaggregated by sex, age, sector of activity and level of qualification. It would be grateful if the Government would also provide further information in its next report on the following points.

2. Application and review of the employment policy (Article 1, paragraphs 1 and 3; Article 2(a), of the Convention). Please describe the manner in which employment objectives are taken into account in the adoption and implementation of general and sectoral economic policy measures. Please indicate how statistical data on the situation and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment are used for the purpose of evaluating and adapting employment policy.

3. Active labour market policy measures (Article 1, paragraph 2(c), Article 2(b)). In view of the particular nature of women’s labour force participation rate, employment and unemployment at different ages, the Committee requests the Government to specify in its next report whether measures have been taken or are envisaged to promote employment of women. Please describe measures taken to promote the training and occupational integration of young people, elderly workers and persons with disabilities.

4. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide information on the measures taken to encourage the creation of jobs by small and medium-sized enterprises and the creation of enterprises by the unemployed.

5. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and application of policies (Article 3). The Committee notes the provisions to strengthen participation by the social partners in the implementation of the employment policy. It also notes that the Standing Council for social cooperation is responsible for decisions (opinions) on employment policy which it issues at the request of the Head of the executive or on its own initiative. The Committee requests the Government to send examples of opinions on employment policy issued by the Standing Council, specifying how they are taken into account. Please also indicate whether, in addition to representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations, representatives of other persons affected are associated with the consultations on employment policy measures.