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The Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government in its report for the period ending May 2005 in response to the Committee’s comments. The ILO Subregional Office in Bangkok has also brought to the Committee’s attention additional information concerning the application of the Convention.

1. Collection and use of employment statistics. The Committee understands that, in 2005, there were 238,000 people in employment and that the total number of employed persons has increased by 42,500 since 1995. Much of that employment was in manufacturing (15 per cent), trade (15 per cent), hotels and restaurants (11 per cent) and cultural, recreational, gaming and other services (17 per cent). The Committee notes that the Directorate of Services for Labour Affairs is responsible for promoting the analysis and study of the social environment for labour and employment. In addition, the Department of Studies and Information has been assigned the tasks of compiling, processing, analyzing and disseminating information on the world of work. Please indicate how this statistical information and analysis highlights trends in terms of vocational training, gender disparities and vulnerable groups.

2. Active labour market policy measures. The Committee notes the efforts taken to coordinate strategies of employing local human resources and of responding to the demands of the labour market, including the consideration given to receiving workers and professionals from abroad. It asks the Government to continue to provide information in its next report on the measures taken to deal with labour shortages and to address the imbalance between supply and demand as the economy develops, including information on the measures taken to avoid the risk of developing labour market segmentation, particularly in view of the increase in atypical forms of employment.

3. Freedom of choice in employment. With reference to the direct request made to the Government in 2004 referring to the measures envisaged to promote the employment of women, the Committee notes that women (56.7 per cent) had a much lower labour force participation rate than men (70.3 per cent) in 2005 and that women are more likely than men to be employed as unskilled workers. The Committee also acknowledges that, while male rates are higher, the gap narrowed from 24 to 14 percentage points between 1996 and 2005. The Committee recalls that an employment policy, in conformity with Convention No. 122, must aim to ensure freedom of choice of employment and the fullest possible opportunities in employment and training, in particular for vulnerable groups (Article 1, paragraph 2(c), of the Convention; see also paragraph 109 of the General Survey of 2004 on promoting employment). The Committee notes that vocational training courses have been established and customized to women’s interests. It requests the Government to provide information on the steps taken to raise awareness and change attitudes in education, training and recruitment to combat stereotyping and discrimination and reduce labour market segmentation in order to ensure freedom of choice in employment. The Committee also notes that, as part of an effort to address structural unemployment, the Government has created job opportunities for older workers with low levels of educational attainment and efforts have been made to find jobs in new casinos. It further notes that a working group on capacity development was established in 2004 to support workers with disabilities. Please provide information in the next report on the results achieved in promoting productive employment for particular vulnerable categories of workers.

4. Training policies. In recent years, unemployment rates have decreased, reaching 4.1 per cent in 2005, with 24 per cent of the unemployed aged 14‑24 years and older workers (45-54 years) accounting for 28 per cent of the total. The Committee notes that vocational training will be offered to improve the prospects of unemployed workers and increase the competitiveness of the labour force. Please continue to provide information on the progress made with regard to the education, training and recruitment of workers.

5. Promoting small and medium-sized enterprises. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government states that it has taken steps for the development of commercial activities and to promote the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) providing “repayable grants” to SMEs that need to improve operating conditions or are in economic and financial difficulties due to unforeseen and extraordinary circumstances, such as natural disasters and epidemics. The Committee also understands that the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) has established an “IPIM Information Service” counter at the Macau Business Support Centre (MBSC), which will provide assistance, such as for setting up a business in Macau, organizing overseas trade fairs, arranging business visits abroad, providing market information and implementing the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement. Please continue to provide information on the measures taken by these institutions to promote an enterprise culture and employment generation.

6. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and application of policies. The Committee notes that the Standing Social Consultation Council is included in the formulation of employment policies and legislation, such as the new Employment Procedure Code. It reiterates its interest in examining examples of opinions on employment policy issued by the Standing Council, specifying how they are taken into account (Article 3).