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The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. The Committee notes the comments of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) received in June 2008. The BWU indicates that the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados continues to support policy interventions on behalf of micro-enterprises and the self-employed, aimed at promoting increased access to credit facilities and market information, formal education and training and, generally, the provision of decent work in the informal economy. The Committee refers to its previous comments, and requests the Government to submit a report, for examination by the Committee at its next session, containing information on the following matters.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee requests information on the programmes implemented and their impact on employment promotion both in the aggregate and as they affect particular categories of workers such as women, young persons, workers with disabilities, older workers and workers in the rural sector.

Collection and use of employment data. Please provide information on how the various policies and programmes to promote employment are kept under periodical review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of policies. The Committee reiterates its requests for information on the manner in which consultations are held with representatives of the social partners, including representatives of the rural sector and the informal economy, and on the outcome of these consultations concerning employment policies.

[The Government is invited to reply in detail to the present comments in 2009.]