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The Committee notes the Government’s report, including statistical information and replies to the comments made in 2007, received in August 2009. The Committee further notes the comments from the Mauritius Employers’ Federation included in the Government’s report.

1. Articles 1, paragraph 2, and 10, of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes that, since 2007, 13 employment information centres are connected through an online labour market information system and an electronic labour exchange has become operational. Information on services and facilities is further disseminated through the telephone hotline Audiotex and broadcasts of vacancies on national TV. The Committee welcomes continuing to receive information on the activities of the public employment service which contribute to the achievement and maintenance of full employment and the development and use of productive resources together with relevant statistics. Please also indicate any arrangements made in cooperation with the social partners to encourage full use of employment service facilities.

2. Articles 4 and 5. Participation of social partners. The Committee notes that the Employment Promotion Advisory Committee (EPAC) has not been created. The Government reports that the functions of the EPAC are being exercised by the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF). The NEF tasks encompass, inter alia, the creation of employment, through tripartite subcommittees charged with exploring possible employment and training opportunities in different sectors, including employment abroad. The Committee invites the Government to provide further information regarding the work of the NEF and the social partners on the development operation of the employment service.

3. Article 11. Cooperation with private employment agencies. The Committee notes that private employment agencies are obliged to carry a licence and that they are regularly inspected by the employment service, which includes the examination of draft employment contracts and measures to ensure that fair conditions of employment are given to Mauritian workers abroad. The Committee would welcome further particulars, including practical examples, on the effective cooperation established between the public employment service and private employment agencies. It invites the Government to consider the provisions of the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181), and the Private Employment Agencies Recommendation, 1997 (No. 188), which contain guidelines for the regulation, monitoring and operation of private employment services.