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The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not reply to the previous comments that requested information on the implementation and impact of the new legislation in promoting equality of opportunity in employment, occupation and training. The Committee wishes to recall that the establishment in law of the principle of equality of opportunity and treatment cannot on its own constitute a national policy within the meaning of Article 2 of the Convention. The implementation of the principle of non-discrimination presupposes the adoption of specific measures designed to correct inequalities observed in practice, such as the ones identified in the Government’s report regarding fewer opportunities of women to have an education and to enrol in vocational training schemes. This imbalance results in women having fewer opportunities in employment and occupation. While the Convention leaves each country to intervene according to the methods which appear to be the most adequate, taking into account national circumstances and customs, the effective implementation of the national policy of equality of opportunity and treatment requires the implementation by the State concerned of appropriate measures, such as advocacy programmes and positive action measures to improve the status of women in society and programmes to improve women’s access to skilled jobs and decision-making positions.

2. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that there is no discrimination; however women have lower levels of qualification, knowledge and fewer opportunities for skilled work. Noting that the Vocational Retraining Unit no longer exists please provide information on the manner in which women are able, along with men, to develop skills and vocational training. The Committee recalls once again that it is important to adopt and implement programmes to promote equality and correct de facto inequalities which may exist in training, employment and conditions of work, such as the one identified in the Government’s report on the basis of sex.

3. The Committee hopes the Government will take the necessary measures referred to above with a view to guaranteeing the effective application of the principle of non-discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity and treatment and will be able to report on those measures and their impact in its next report.