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The Committee notes the first report on the application of the Convention provided by the Government in August 2006.

1. Article 2 of the Convention. Vocational rehabilitation and employment policies. The Committee notes the measures taken under the Training and Employment of Disabled Persons Act, 1996, to assist persons with disabilities develop their skills and enhance their employability. The Training and Employment of Disabled Persons Board has the responsibility of reviewing national policy, preventing discrimination and encouraging the establishment of vocational training centres and institutions for persons with disabilities. As a result of these measures, some 600 trained persons with disabilities have been successfully placed in different sectors of the economy. The Committee invites the Government to provide, in its next report, more information regarding how the national employment policy is periodically reviewed by the Board. More specifically, the Committee would appreciate further information on the review process in respect of the areas covered, the frequency of the reviews and how the information gathered is then used to impact improvements.

2. Article 3. Ensuring access to the open labour market. The Government’s report also indicates that efforts are under way through collaboration between the Training and Employment of Disabled Persons Board and the Vocational Training Board to promote employment and training of persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to provide, in its next report, information on the practical effects of the actions undertaken in promoting employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

3. Article 4. Equality of opportunity and treatment. The Committee notes that there are plans to introduce a Disability Discrimination Bill to eliminate discrimination against persons on the ground of disability in the area of employment. The Committee requests the Government to provide more information on the adoption of the new Disability Discrimination Bill and its impact on existing provisions including the Training and Employment of Disabled Persons Act. It also requests the Government to provide the text of the Act once the Bill is enacted.

4. Article 5. Consultation with representative organizations of employers and workers. The Committee notes that the membership of the Training and Employment of Disabled Persons Board includes representatives of employers and of persons that represent the interest of persons with disabilities. The Committee also notes the Board consults with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee would appreciate receiving in the Government’s next report further information on the consultative mechanism and any other information on the activities of the Board and whether representative employers’ and workers’ organizations are involved in the matters covered by the Convention.

5. Article 7. Development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that the Board constituted under the Training and Employment of Disabled Persons Act establishes vocational training centres and encourages schemes and projects for the training and employment of persons with disabilities. It also notes that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Board and the Industrial and Vocational Training Board to reserve a number of seats for persons with disabilities and to adapt the curriculum according to the needs of persons with disabilities. The Committee requests the Government to provide more information on the measures taken to evaluate vocational guidance, training, placement, employment and other related services to enable persons with disabilities secure, retain and advance in employment.

6. Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee notes the Government’s information on the Lois Lagesse Trust Fund to assist visually impaired persons in Mauritius, as well as the social benefits granted to persons with disabilities. It would appreciate receiving information on the impact of the actions taken to implement the measures giving effect to national policy on the vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities within the meaning of the Convention including statistics, reports, studies and inquiries.