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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its 1999 observation which, read as follows:

1. The Committee notes that the Government adopted a National Employment Policy in April 1997. The Government indicates that unemployment is increasing annually and the policy document referred to 30 per cent of the labour force being unemployed or underemployed. The Government also indicates that jobseekers are unaware of labour market trends because there are no centres which provide such information. It is therefore necessary to establish employment promotion offices which would perform the role of the former employment exchanges. The Committee notes the Government’s concern and also notes the administrative and financial constraints, but again expresses its hope that it will shortly implement its National Employment Policy. It further asks the Government to inform it of any progress as regards the establishment of employment promotion offices and trusts that it will supply, in its next report, information on measures taken in this respect with a view to ensuring full application of Article 6 (functions of the employment service) and Article 7 (measures to facilitate within the various employment offices specialization by occupation and by industries, and to meet the needs of particular categories of applicants, such as disabled persons) of the Convention.

2. Articles 4 and 5. The Government indicates that tripartite committees have been established at different levels within the framework of the National Employment Policy. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would include in its next report further information on the consultations taking place with representatives of employers and workers concerning the organization and operation of the employment services and in the development of an employment service policy.

3. Article 8. The Government recognizes that the problem of unemployment is well known and gives support to any programme designed to eradicate unemployment. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would include in its next report any particulars concerning the arrangements made by the vocational training institutions for juveniles within the framework of the employment and vocational guidance services.

4. Part IV of the report form. The Government indicates that the current financial climate has hindered the regular collection of statistics. The Committee reiterates its hope that the statistical and other information required will be supplied as soon as it becomes available.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2005.]