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1. Formulation of an employment strategy. The Committee notes, from the statistical data provided by the Government in its report, that the unemployment rate fell from 14.2 per cent in 2001 to 12.8 per cent in 2002, principally due to its decline in rural areas. The characteristics of the distribution of employment and/of unemployment which gave rise to concern remain however: the activity rate of women is still extremely low and they continue to experience a higher unemployment rate than men, and the proportion of long-term unemployment in total unemployment rose once again, as 70.9 per cent of the unemployed in 2002 had been seeking a job for more than one year, compared with 66 per cent in 2001. In this context, the Committee, which notes the fundamental importance given to job creation in both the Third and draft Fourth Five-Year Plans, notes with interest the Government’s reference to the formulation of an employment strategy in collaboration with ILO employment specialists. Following a national workshop, held on 30 June and 1 July 2003, and bringing together representatives of the various ministries concerned, employers’ and workers’ organizations, non-governmental organizations, universities and researchers, a report was prepared for the Government containing a series of recommendations on short-term measures and the long-term strategy covering macroeconomic policy, labour market and industrial relations policies, skills development, the creation of employment through small and medium-sized enterprises, the promotion of gender equality and social security. In the view of the Committee, taking these recommendations into consideration should promote the achievement of the objectives of the Convention, which provides that employment promotion policies and programmes shall be decided on and kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy (Article 2 of the Convention). It further notes that, in addition to its contribution to the formulation of the employment strategy, the Government refers to the ILO’s advisory and technical cooperation activities in relation to vocational training and the promotion of women’s employment. It requests the Government to indicate any actions taken as a result of these activities, which should promote the application of the Convention (Part V of the report form).

2. Overall and sectoral economic policies. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to the provisions adopted in relation to investment, exports and the reduction of government monopolies as policy measures with an indirect effect on employment. Recalling that, under the terms of the Convention, the measures to be taken to achieve employment objectives should be decided on and kept under review "within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy" (Article 2(a)), the Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the overall and sectoral economic policies contribute to the promotion of full, productive and freely chosen employment.

3. Labour market and training policies. The Committee notes the various incentives for recruitment based on the reduction of employers’ contributions and tax incentives for investments which create employment in the less developed regions. It asks the Government to provide any available assessment of the results achieved through these measures. The Committee notes that the Government has undertaken to modernize the employment services and the employment information system. It requests it to report on the progress achieved in this respect. Also noting the emphasis placed on the reinforcement of the training system, and on the need for better coordination of education and training policies with the objective of full employment, the Committee requests the Government to describe the measures adopted for this purpose. With reference to its comments on the application of Convention No. 111, the Committee notes with interest the information on the increase in the participation of women in apprenticeship and vocational training activities. It requests the Government to continue providing such information, with an indication of the measures adopted to ensure that this progress is translated into an increase in the participation rate of women in economic activity. In this respect, the Committee notes the relevant recommendations adopted by the Conference on the Promotion of Women’s Employment, Autonomy and Equality, held on 8 and 9 March 2004 under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the ILO.

4. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and application of policies. With reference to the requests that it has been making for several years, the Committee once again asks the Government to indicate the manner in which effect is given to Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee emphasizes once again the importance of this Article which provides that representatives of the persons affected by the measures to be taken, and in particular representatives of employers and workers, shall be consulted concerning employment policies. Please indicate whether procedures have been established for the purpose of holding such consultations and whether representatives of persons engaged in the rural sector and the informal economy are associated with such consultations.