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The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report received in September 2008. The Government indicates that, in addition to support from the United Nations agencies, there are ongoing cooperation programmes, and it is receiving support from the ILO aimed at strengthening national capacities in employment and vocational training aimed at human capital development. The Committee looks forward to receiving information in the Government next’s report on the measures taken to develop and implement an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention, with the assistance of the ILO and other international agencies, and the results thereof. The Government is also invited to include information on the following matters in its next report.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Labour market policies. The Government indicates that unemployed persons are registered at employment offices located throughout the country, and their information is compiled on a database. An employment programme is prepared for these jobseekers, by identifying job opportunities and providing small loans to facilitating the setting up of income generating projects. Efforts are also made to secure job opportunities for persons with special needs, and awarding grants to some categories of jobseekers for a specified period. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the achievements of such employment programmes in terms of employment generation, and the manner in which the programmes are kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy. The Government is also asked to provide information on how it intends to strengthen the employment offices in order to meet the needs of vulnerable categories of workers such as women, young people, older workers and people with disabilities.

Article 2. The Government is asked to provide more precise information in its next report on the efforts made to improve its capacity to assess the situation of, and trends in, employment, unemployment, and underemployment, both in the formal and informal economy.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Government indicates in its report that there is an exchange of views on employment policies, between representatives from different Ministries and representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations, through a higher national committee presided by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs. The Committee would welcome further information on the consultations held with representatives of the social partners both at the stage of the formulation of employment policies and in relation to the implementation of the measures adopted under such policies.