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1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy in the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report received in September 2007 in reply to the previous comments, and the information on the legislative measures adopted during the period examined. The Government indicates that within the framework of the State Programme for the Employment of the Population of the Republic of Belarus for 2006 (hereinafter referred to as State Employment Programme), 119,700 new jobs have been created by the national and local authorities; 134,300 unemployed workers have been placed in permanent employment; 2,800 persons have benefited from financial aid for the creation of a business and 110,400 persons have participated in remunerated public works. The Committee asks the Government to indicate in its next report the results achieved by the new programmes and measures adopted to promote productive employment. Please also indicate the procedures adopted or envisaged to ensure that the main employment policy measures are regularly decided on and kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

2. Territorial cohesion. The Government indicates that the measures adopted within the framework of the State Employment Programme for 2006 and the provincial programmes have contributed to a more stable employment situation, even improving it, in 42 cities characterized by high unemployment. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the specific measures adopted by both the national and local authorities to promote territorial cohesion, and to indicate the results obtained in terms of the creation of lasting and productive employment in areas with high unemployment rates.

3. Vulnerable categories of workers. The Committee notes that, despite a reduction in the unemployment rate for women and young persons during the period covered by the report, these rates remain high (65.8 per cent and 41.7 per cent, respectively). The Government indicates that the State Employment Service has placed 61,400 young persons aged 16 to 29 years and 2,200 persons with disabilities in employment. Furthermore, some 19,200 young persons and 14,700 mothers that have been absent from the labour market for a long period of time have received vocational training. In addition, re-adaptation and vocational training classes were organized for persons with disabilities and other workers suffering difficulties in entering the labour market. The Committee asks the Government to supply information on the measures put in place to promote employment for vulnerable categories of workers, and on the results achieved in terms of the introduction of the workers concerned in lasting and productive employment.

4. Coordination of education and vocational training policies with employment policy. The Committee notes that on 12 October 2006, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus adopted Decree No. 1334 in respect of the modalities for the organization of vocational training intended to improve the qualifications of unemployed jobseekers. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the practical application of the new legislation in respect of vocational training and on the other measures adopted or envisaged to coordinate training policies and employment opportunities.

5. Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Government indicates that in 2006, a draft general agreement had been submitted by the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus to the National Council on Labour and Social Affairs for discussion. A working group composed of representatives of the social partners and the Government was established with a view to negotiating the draft agreement on an equal footing. The general agreement, which was concluded in March 2006 for 2006–08, sets out the main guidelines for social and professional relations and contains a section on the development of the labour market and employment-related protection. The Committee asks the Government to provide details on the manner in which the experience and views of the social partners are fully taken into account in formulating, applying and keeping under review the State Employment Programme. Considering the importance of the agricultural sector, the Committee also requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that representatives of the rural sector participate in the consultations required by the Convention.