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1. Parts II and VI of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living – education and training. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report received in May 2009, in reply to its 2005 direct request. The Government refers to the policies developed by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in areas such as housing, social and community facilities, commerce and industry, agriculture, tourism, transport, urban and rural conservation. The Government also refers to measures implemented by the Department of Agriculture in order to grant financial assistance to farmers and fishermen, including members of cooperatives. As concerns education and training, the Government indicates that the Employment and Training Corporation offers a wide range of services in collaboration with trade unions and employers’ associations, which are represented on its board of directors. The Committee notes that Malta’s National Reform Programme 2008–10 places the focus on human resources development as a key factor for the economic development of the country. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report further information dealing with economic and social development in Malta, including updated data illustrating that the improvement of standards of living has been regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development.

2. Part III. Migrant workers. The Government indicates that the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations proactively approaches organizations which assist migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in order to disseminate information on the employment legislation and conditions of work. The Committee invites the Government to continue supplying information on migration policy measures taken in relation with Articles 6–9.