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Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Measures to promote employment. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2009 containing replies to the 2008 direct request. The Committee also recalls its 2009 observation, including comments submitted by the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Union (CDTU), which indicated that short-term contracts, in practice, limit workers’ rights to free choice of employment. Under Presidential Decree No. 29 of 1999, employers may conclude fixed-term contracts with all categories of employees, including those who already have indefinite contracts. The CDTU argued that such legal framework hinders the workers’ right to free choice of employment and is contrary to the spirit of the Convention. The CDTU drew attention to instances of abuse by some employers in Bobruisk and Novopoltok, who have threatened workers with dismissal and non-renewal of fixed-term contracts. In its General Survey of 2010 concerning employment instruments, the Committee indicated that the realization of the right to work as a basic human right can be attained through the promotion of full, productive and freely chosen employment as the cornerstone of economic and social policies. The Committee, referring to Article 1(2)(c) considered that, similar to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the right to work included the obligation to assure individuals their right to freely chosen or accepted work, including the right not to be deprived of work unfairly (paragraphs 48 and 49 and summary on page 24 of the 2010 General Survey). The Committee thus hopes that the Government will report on the regulations adopted to generate decent jobs with adequate protection specifying how it has been possible to satisfy the employment needs of the workers whose short-term contract of employment has ended.

Active employment policy. Coordination with economic and social policy. The Government recalls that the State Employment Promotion Programme, aimed to enhance the effective use of available human resources, is annually approved by the Council of Ministers. According to the data provided by the Government in its report, the unemployment rate was at 0.8 per cent of the total economically active population in January 2009. In 2008, 4,522,600 persons were employed; 162,700 new jobs have been created, including 1,492 temporary jobs under the Youth Work Experience Programme; 23,200 permanent jobs for unemployed persons; and 509 partially subsidized jobs for persons with disabilities. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information in its next report on policies and programmes promoting full employment and how these policies and programmes will translate into productive and lasting employment opportunities for the unemployed and those categories of workers most affected by the crisis.

Equitable regional development. In reply to previous requests, the Government indicated that, as part of the State Employment Programme for 2008, it had taken several labour market measures to address the consistently high level of unemployment in 36 small and medium-sized towns, villages and regions. The Government indicates that out of 31,000 jobs created, 7,700 were in small towns and contributed to a subsequent decrease in unemployment rates among those which were otherwise consistently high. The Committee asks the Government to continue providing information on the measures taken to address high levels of unemployment in small and medium-sized towns, as well as the results of such measures.

Vulnerable categories of workers. The Committee notes that the State Employment Programme for 2008 includes particular measures for those who are unable to compete on equal terms in the labour market. The Government indicates that in 2008 the local authorities reserved a total of 25,600 jobs for persons with disabilities, young persons, and persons released from correctional institutions. The Government also communicates that subsidized jobs have been created to provide temporary employment to young persons who are graduates of higher educational institutions, specialized schools, and vocational and technical schools. The Government reports that the unemployment rate for women decreased from 66 per cent in January 2008 to 60.6 per cent in 2009. The Committee asks the Government to continue providing information on the active measures adopted to promote employment for vulnerable categories of workers and the impact of such measures.

Education and vocational training policies. The Committee notes that the national system of vocational training is developed and implemented under the Regulations on the Organization of Vocational Training, Retraining and Further Training of the Unemployed (Order No. 1334 of 2006) and the Regulations on the Continuous Training of Manual and Non-Manual Workers (Order No. 599 of 2007). The Government explains that the vocational training provided is shaped by the regional labour market situation, as determined annually by different bodies of the state employment service, and that unemployed persons are provided with compensation during the period of their training. The Government communicates that a total of 22,300 unemployed persons received vocational training in 2008; 11,000 of them were trained in their first occupation, 9,600 underwent retraining, and 1,600 received further training. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures mentioned above on enabling a better alignment of vocational education and future labour market needs.

Article 3. Participation of social partners. The Committee notes that the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection consulted the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (FPB) and the Belarusian Confederation of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (BCIE) in the design and implementation of the State Employment Programme for 2009–10. The Government indicates that the General Agreement for 2009–10, signed in December 2008 by the Government, the national employers’ organizations, and the trade unions, contains a chapter entitled “Development of the labour market and employment promotion”, emphasizing the need to prioritize active labour market measures. Furthermore, the tripartite National Council for Labour and Social Issues convenes every six months to supervise compliance with the General Agreement. The Committee also notes that the interests of the agricultural sector are represented in the National Council for Labour and Social Affairs by the Agricultural Sector Workers’ Union (ASWU), a workers’ organization, and the Belarusian Agroindustrial Union (BelAPS), an employers’ organization. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on participation of the social partners in employment policy formulation and implementation.

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Measures to promote the employment of vulnerable categories of workers. The Committee notes the comments submitted by the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) in August 2009. The BKDP refers to the right to work of the citizens, and argues that short-term contracts, in practice, limit workers’ rights to free choice of employment. The BKDP indicates that short-term contracts are contrary to the spirit of the Convention, because terminating these contracts deprive workers of their right to work. The BKDP refers to non-renewal of fixed-term contracts in enterprises located in Bobruisk and Novopolstok. In this context, the Committee would like to draw the Government’s attention to certain provisions of related international labour instruments (see Article 2, paragraph 3, of the Termination of Employment Convention, 1982 (No. 158), and Paragraph 3 of the Termination of Employment Recommendation, 1982 (No. 166)) that provide for the protection of workers against the use of contracts which can impair the achievement of the objectives of full and productive employment as laid down in Convention No. 122. The Committee invites the Government to reply to the BKDP comments, particularly to specify how it has been possible to satisfy the employment needs of the workers whose short-term contract of employment had ended. It also requests information in the Government’s next report on the measures envisaged with the cooperation of the social partners to improve employment security in the labour market.

The Committee received the Government’s report submitted in September 2009 replying to its 2008 direct request. It looks forward to addressing the Government’s information, as well as any response to the BKDP comments that the Government wishes to set forth, during its next session.

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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.

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1. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2005. It notes the adoption of the State Programme for the Employment of the Population of the Republic of Belarus for 2005 (State Employment Programme) whose main objective is to assist unemployed and temporarily unemployed citizens to resume or commence employment. According to figures provided by the Government, there were 59,300 fewer workers in the workforce in 2004 as compared to 2003. Despite more positive trends in 2004 and 2005, the Government states that the labour market continues to be characterized by an excess in labour resources in which there are two unemployed people for every advertised job vacancy. During the period under review, the change in employment structure continued to be characterized by a redistribution of the workforce from industry to the non-production sector. The Committee asks the Government to indicate in its next report the outcomes of the State Employment Programme and its impact on job creation. Recalling its previous comments, the Committee also asks the Government to send information, including statistics disaggregated by age and gender, on the effects of restructuring on employment (Article 1 of the Convention).

2. Regions with high levels of unemployment. In its report, the Government indicates that seven regions in Belarus have consistently high levels of unemployment and that the needs of these areas are taken into account by the State Employment Programme. Accordingly, a number of measures are planned to address regional employment inequalities, including job-search assistance, entrepreneurship grants or loans for the unemployed, vocational training, temporary student employment, resettlement assistance as well as unemployment benefits for jobseekers. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on regional development trends and on the outcome of the programmes adopted to promote employment in regions of high unemployment.

3. Particular categories of workers. The Committee notes from the Government’s report the legislative amendment adopted with respect to recruiting unemployed orphans, as well as the legislation to facilitate opportunities for young people to study abroad. It further notes that the 2004 State Employment Programme set quotas for the recruitment of workers who were otherwise unable to compete on the labour market on equal terms and that, as a result of these quotas, 15,200 unemployed people were placed in regular jobs in 2004, including 4,100 young people, 2,200 persons with disabilities and 2,900 former prisoners. During the same year, 20,500 young people and 17,600 women received vocational training. The Committee asks the Government to continue providing information on the measures adopted to meet the needs of vulnerable categories of workers, such as women, young people, older workers and workers with disabilities, particularly within the context of its State Employment Programmes. Please also include information on the impact the measures have had in promoting employment among these particular categories of workers.

4. Coordinated economic and social policy. The Government indicates in its report that it closely monitors the labour market and that an assessment is under way to consider the extent to which the State Employment Programme is improving the employment situation and what steps need to be taken in the future. Recalling that, under the terms of the Convention, the measures to be taken to achieve employment objectives should be decided on and kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy, the Committee asks the Government to indicate in its next report the manner in which overall and sectoral economic policies and social policies contribute to the promotion of full, productive and freely chosen employment. Please also provide information on any labour market assessments, particularly on how the programmes implemented have contributed to job creation (Article 2).

5. Participation of social partners in the formulation and implementation of policies. In its report, the Government indicates that a general agreement was concluded in March 2004 between the Government and the social partners for 2004-05 addressing the main lines along which social and labour relations would be regulated. The Committee asks the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the negotiation and content of agreements with the social partners regarding the promotion of employment. It further requests the Government to indicate how the representatives of the social partners, including those working in the rural sector and the informal economy are actively engaged in implementing the State Employment Policy (Article 3).

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The Committee notes the reports supplied by the Government for the period ending June 2003, as well as the complete information that it provided in reply to its previous comment.

1. Article 1 of the Convention. The Government states that the period in question was characterized by declining employment growth and a reduction in the number of the economically active population. Despite adverse economic conditions in 2001, unemployment remained low at an estimated 2 per cent; this situation is partially explained through the simultaneous decrease in labour force participation. Since 1992, employment has shrunk by approximately 550,000 jobs. In 2001 approximately 770,000 persons, or 12.8 per cent of the working age population, was classified as inactive. Additionally, underemployment grew considerably: 238,000 persons were working on a part-time basis, a 58.3 per cent increase over the year 2000. Redistribution of the labour force continued: in 2000 the manufacturing sector employed 70 per cent of the labour force and the service sector 30 per cent; in 2001 the corresponding figures were 68 and 32 per cent respectively. The Committee would appreciate it if the Government would continue to send statistics that are as detailed as possible, including information on the impact of restructuring of employment and disaggregated data by age and gender.

2. The Committee notes the Government’s statement concerning the development of an active labour market policy through the annual elaboration and implementation of the State National Employment Programme aimed at promoting employment and protecting the population against unemployment while increasing efficiency in the use of labour resources. The main focuses of the active labour market policy are: developing entrepreneurship as a means to job creation; combating long-term unemployment; improving retraining programmes for laid-off workers; the development of a system of vocational guidance for schoolchildren and youths and the development of the system of paid public work. The Committee would appreciate receiving more detailed information in the Government’s report on the various programmes implemented as well as any assessment of their effectiveness and eventual outcomes in terms of employment creation.

3. As regards disadvantaged groups in the labour market, including young people, the Committee notes the measures taken or under consideration; it observes that the Government envisages modifying legislation in view of promoting employment among persons who are not capable of competing on an equal footing in the labour market. Please provide information on developments in these matters as far as they relate to the employment policy objectives identified in the Convention, including any contribution of the measures taken towards attaining the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment.

4. Article 2. The Committee notes that the State National Employment Programme, approved by Decision No. 15 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus on 8 January 2001, provides for the strengthening of the role of the bodies of state administration, employers and voluntary associations in addressing the problems of local labour markets and giving support to areas with the highest unemployment. The Government states that the process of the elaboration of the employment programme is preceded by forecasting of estimated parameters of the labour markets of the towns, districts, regions and Republic. The information gathered is used to identify measures adapted to mitigating the situation of the labour market and preventing unemployment growth. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on how employment programmes and policies are reviewed within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

5. Article 3. The Committee notes the information received on the consultative role of the National Council on Labour and Social Matters and in particular of its duty of supervising and controlling the implementation of the employment programmes and its function in the threat of a mass release of workers. It asks the Government to provide more information on the negotiation of tripartite agreements on the matters covered by the Convention within the framework of the National Council on Labour and Social Matters and on any other efforts to effectively engage social partners in the consultations on employment policy.

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The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report for the period to 31 May 2000.

1. Article 1 of the Convention. The Government states that the unemployment rate decreased from 2.8 per cent in 1997 to 2.0 per cent in 1999. Forced administrative leave was taken in 1999 by 4.7 per cent of the employed, which was 14.5 per cent less than in 1998; and 42.6 per cent of those on leave were unemployed. The main focuses of the active labour market policy are: promoting structural adjustment and engaging displaced workers in profitable enterprises; developing a system of training, upgrading of skills, retraining and vocational guidance; increasing economic incentives for enterprises to create jobs, based on flexible forms of employment; and improving the institutional structure of the State Employment Service. The number of participants in vocational training increased from 1997 to 1999 by about 11 per cent. The number of people in public works programmes decreased during the same period by about 5 per cent. In 1999 there were about five times as many people in public works programmes as there were in vocational training. The Government aims to further reduce forced underemployment at work, and to promote employment by expanding its vocational guidance, training and retraining system in professions that are likely to increase in demand in the future. The Government is particularly concerned to prevent or address mass lay offs due to restructuring of enterprises. Measures implemented to address mass unemployment include: assisting people to choose an appropriate profession; vocational training and retraining; providing information concerning vacancies; promoting self-employment; and providing those in special need with reserved jobs. The Committee notes this information. It would appreciate receiving more detailed information in future reports on the various programmes implemented, and their impact on employment promotion.

2. Article 2. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that employment policies and programmes are based on labour market forecasts. Please provide further information on how employment polices and programmes are kept under review within a coordinated economic and social framework.

3. Article 3. The Government provides detailed information on the system of consultations between workers’ and employers’ representatives to prevent mass lay offs or ensure employment for released workers. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on the manner in which representatives of employers, workers and other sectors affected, such as the rural and informal sectors, are consulted more generally on the formulation, implementation and evaluation of employment policies and programmes.

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1. The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending May 1998, as well as the information which it provided in reply to its previous request. It notes that the fall in the number of redundancies and the recovery of demand for labour have resulted in a reduction of the registered unemployment rate, which fell to 2.3 per cent at the end of the period, as well as in the number of workers on "compulsory leave" or who are working part time. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing statistics which are as detailed as possible, not only on registered unemployment, but also on the active population and the various forms of underemployment.

2. The Committee notes that the Government attributes the favourable developments on the labour market to the improvement in the economic situation and the implementation of economic and social reforms. However, it notes that the report does not contain information on the nature of these reforms and on the manner in which they contribute to promoting employment. The Committee recalls in this respect that employment policy measures must, under the terms of Article 2 of the Convention, be adopted "within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy". It once again requests the Government to provide the information requested in the report form on the principal global and sectoral policies pursued in order to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment. In particular, please indicate the manner in which their actual or expected effects on employment are taken into account in the implementation of structural reforms.

3. The Committee notes the statistics on the number of beneficiaries of vocational training, public works and job creation measures. It would be grateful if the Government would provide any evaluation available of the contribution made by these various measures to the long-term integration of the persons concerned into employment. The Committee also notes the information contained in the latest report on the application of Convention No. 142, and requests the Government to continue providing information on the measures which have been taken or are envisaged to improve the coordination of education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

4. Article 3. The Committee notes the Government's statement that representatives of the persons affected, and in particular representatives of employers and workers, are consulted in the formulation of national and regional employment programmes. It requests the Government to describe the procedures for this consultation. With reference to its request concerning Convention No. 88, the Committee asks the Government to describe the manner in which labour and social conciliation commissions participate in the formulation of the annual employment programme and the monitoring of its application.

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1. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending July 1996. It appreciates the statistics on employment service activity and requests the Government to continue to supply such information. Please indicate also the measures taken or contemplated to collect and analyse the fullest possible data on employment, unemployment and the various types of underemployment (see under Article 2 of the Convention on the report form adopted by the Governing Body).

2. The Committee notes that the report mentions a number of national and regional programmes for job creation, training and social protection for the unemployed. It requests the Government to supply in its next report detailed information on the application of these measures and an assessment of their results.

3. The Committee notes that fewer than half of the unemployed persons who received vocational training in 1996 have been found jobs by the employment service. It requests the Government to indicate the measures envisaged in order better to coordinate training policy with employment opportunities and to ensure that the employment service is associated in the articulation and implementation of employment policy (see under Article 1 of the report form).

4. The Committee recalls its interest in any information allowing it to assess how the employment policy falls "within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy" (Article 2 of the Convention). It would be grateful if the Government would supply the information required by the report form on the main thrust of the general economic policy and its contribution to the promotion of full, productive and freely chosen employment as a major goal (Article 1).

5. Article 3. With reference to its previous requests, the Committee asks the Government once again to describe the measures taken in order to ensure the consultation of representatives of all the persons concerned by employment policy measures, and particularly the representatives of employers and workers.

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1. The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending June 1994 and the information provided in reply to its previous request. It also notes the relevant information provided by the Government in its 1994 report on Convention No. 111.

2. The Committee notes with interest article 41 of the Constitution of 15 March 1994, which confirms that it is the responsibility of the State to ensure the conditions for the full employment of the population and to guarantee free choice of employment.

3. The statistics provided show that registered unemployment affected around 1.5 per cent of the active population at the end of 1993. However, the Government emphasizes the very high rate of underemployment, which is still poorly reflected in the statistics. The underutilization of the productive capacity of many enterprises is resulting in their employees being laid off for technical reasons or sent on unpaid leave for an indeterminate period. The Committee notes that the Government has adopted measures to compile and analyse statistics which should enable it to gain a better knowledge of the characteristics and extent of the phenomenon of underemployment. The Government also states that job-seekers are encountering increasing difficulty in finding employment due to the rapid decline in the demand for labour, and that the average period of unemployment is increasing. The number of unfilled vacancies and the graduate share of total unemployment also bear witness to serious imbalances in the structures for the supply and demand for labour. The proportion of total unemployment accounted for by women (two-thirds) is, according to the Government, a result of the lower level of protection that they enjoy in practice in respect of termination of employment for economic reasons.

4. Faced with this deterioration in the employment situation, the Government states that it has adopted significant measures to develop and modernize public employment services and adapt them to the needs of the various categories of job-seekers. With regard to measures to promote the employment of women, the Committee refers to its request for information under Convention No. 111. The Committee also notes the information concerning the measures adopted to improve the effectiveness of retraining for the unemployed. In view of the imbalance between the supply and demand for skills on the labour market, the Committee invites the Government to indicate whether measures have been taken or are envisaged to achieve a better coordination between education and training policies and prospective employment opportunities.

5. The Committee notes the series of measures intended to combat the rise in unemployment and remedy the imbalances on the labour market. It also notes the statement that the employment policy emphasizes the promotion of small enterprises and self-employment and requests the Government to describe the measures adopted to this effect. In this respect, the Committee is bound to recall that under the terms of the Convention, an active employment policy is not confined to labour market measures, but has to be pursued "within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy". With reference to its previous request, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate in its next report the manner in which the objective of full, productive and freely-chosen employment is taken into account in the formulation and implementation of structural reforms designed to achieve the transition to a market economy. Please indicate in particular how policies in such fields as investment, prices, incomes and wages, and international trade are coordinated with employment policy.

6. With reference to its previous request, in which it noted that the participation of organizations of employers in consultations on the formulation and implementation of employment policy was not guaranteed, the Committee notes that this failing has been brought to the attention of the legislator who should resolve it when preparing the new Labour Code, now that representative organizations of employers have been established. It requests the Government to supply full information on the manner in which the new provisions ensure in practice the consultation of the representatives of all the persons concerned by employment policy measures, and particularly the representatives of employers and workers, in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention.

7. Finally, the Committee notes the reference in the Government's report to the technical assistance of the ILO in the field of the promotion of small enterprises and self-employment. The Committee recalls the value in this respect of the "Conclusions concerning the promotion of self-employment", adopted by the International Labour Conference in June 1990, and would be grateful if the Government would supply any relevant information on the action taken as a result (Part V of the report form).

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1. The Committee notes the Government's report and the appended texts of the Act of 30 May 1991 respecting the employment of the population and the Tripartite Agreement of 8 May 1992. The Government indicates that its employment policy is in the context of a transition towards a market economy, involving breaking off former economic ties. As a result of a drop in production and trade, the imbalance between labour supply and demand increased in the first half of 1992. Lay-offs in the public sector as a result of the economic reform are the main cause of the increase in unemployment which particularly affects secondary and higher education graduates and women (who account respectively for 73.9 per cent and 83.4 per cent of the unemployed).

2. The Committee notes with interest the basic principles of the employment policy set out in the Act of 30 May 1991. It notes in particular that the purpose of the policy is to ensure equal opportunity in employment and to guarantee the free choice of jobs, in accordance with the provisions of Article 1, paragraph 2(c), of the Convention. The Committee also notes that under the Act, employment measures must be coordinated with the other objectives of economic and social policy. In this connection, it would be grateful if the Government would indicate in its next report the manner in which account is taken of the objective of full, productive and freely chosen employment in the preparation and implementation of the reforms for the transition towards a market economy. Please indicate in particular how measures in the areas of prices, incomes, wages and foreign trade policies are coordinated with employment policy.

3. The Government indicates that a public employment service was established in July 1991 to assist in finding jobs for the unemployed and workers made redundant and to ensure that they receive social coverage. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information which is as detailed as possible on the number and nature of cases dealt with by the employment services. It points out that the standards on employment services (Convention No. 88 and Recommendation No. 83) contain precepts which could be useful in determining the measures to be taken to achieve "the best possible organization of the employment market as an integral part of a national programme for the achievement and maintenance of full employment and the development and use of productive resources". The Committee also hopes that the Government will be able to provide detailed statistics in its next report on the level and trends of employment, underemployment and unemployment, and the length of periods of unemployment, both for the country as a whole and by region, in the various sectors of economic activity and for the various categories of the population such as young people, women, older workers and the disabled. Please provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to collect and analyse relevant statistical data (Article 2 of the Convention).

4. The Committee notes with interest that the employment services are concentrating on measures for vocational guidance and retraining for the unemployed. It notes that the retraining, financed largely by the Employment Fund, enabled 50 per cent of the beneficiaries to find employment in the first half of 1992. Please continue to provide information on training activities for jobseekers and the results obtained in terms of the vocational integration of the persons concerned. The Committee appreciates the detailed information on the establishment of a comprehensive system of vocational training adapted to market economy conditions. It asks the Government in its future reports to provide information on the status of its projects in this area, taking account of the provisions of Convention No. 142 and the Committee's comments on the application of that Convention.

5. The Committee notes the principles of cooperation in the promotion of employment and the development of the labour market agreed upon by the Council of Ministers, the employers' associations and the Trade Union Federation, set out in the Agreement of 8 May 1992. It also notes that the Act of 30 May 1991 provides for the participation of trade unions and employers' associations in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of measures to ensure employment, in cooperation with the bodies of the state administration. However, the Committee observes that while section 11 of the above-mentioned Act entitles trade unions to participate in the formulation of employment policy and the relevant legislation, no similar entitlement is expressly established for employers' organizations. Moreover, the participation of employers' organizations in the regular consultations on employment problems is not provided for in the Act. The Committee, in this connection, recalls that under Article 3 of the Convention, representatives of the persons affected and in particular representatives of employers and workers must be consulted concerning employment policies "with a view to taking fully into account their experience and views and securing their full cooperation in formulating and enlisting support for such policies". It would be grateful if in its next report the Government would describe the practical procedures for the consultation of the representatives of all persons affected.

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The Committee notes the Government's report, and particularly the information supplied in reply to its previous direct request. It notes that a new orientation has been given to the Government's employment policy and that an employment service is being established to assist in the creation of a labour market. It also notes the formulation of an employment programme, a Byelorussian SSR Act on employment and regulations on an employment fund. The Government again refers to the principles that will guide its employment policy, namely equality of opportunity in employment, the free choice of employment, the provision of social and legal guarantees to workers affected by restructuring, the participation of occupational organisations in the implementation of the employment policy, and international co-operation in respect of migration for employment. The Government emphasises the close link between employment policy measures, measures for the development of industrial capacity and the geographical and vocational mobility of the labour force. The Government's report indicates that state bodies are establishing the organisation and procedure for the implementation of the new employment system in the Byelorussian SSR, which was to be submitted to Parliament for its formal approval in November 1990.

The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide data in its next report on the situation, level and trends of employment, and information on the new orientation of its employment policy, the above employment programme, the organisation and operation of the employment system, including the organisation and activities of the employment service. It also requests the Government to provide with its next report copies of the texts of the above laws and regulations, and of newly adopted ones, which affect the application of the Convention. The Committee would also be grateful if the Government would supply information on macroeconomic policies in fields such as those set out in the report form under Article 1 of the Convention, as they affect the employment policy. Finally, please supply further information in relation to the previous direct request on the following points.

1. The Committee notes the information on the introduction of the new system of management in a number of enterprises and organisations according to the principles of financial autonomy and responsibility for production, sales and the use of revenue. It requests the Government to continue supplying information on the application of the Law of the USSR of 30 June 1987 on state enterprises (amalgamations), and in particular to describe the impact on employment of measures relating to prices and wages that have already been taken or are planned within the framework of sections 14 and 17 of the above Law. Please also refer to the measures set out in section 14 with a view to the introduction of a measure of employment flexibility (part-time work, home work, working time arrangements).

2. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government concerning vocational guidance, training and retraining, and in particular the measures taken to assist the unemployed, the disabled, persons with a low educational level and women who have been out of the labour market for a long period. It would be grateful if the Government would continue supplying information on the nature of these measures, the number of workers benefiting from them and on any measure that has been taken within the framework of sections 8 and 23 of the Law of the USSR of 30 June 1987 on state enterprises (amalgamations).

3. The Committee notes the information transmitted by the Government concerning the new idea of the organisation of public works as a means of responding to the population's employment needs. It also notes the data on the number of co-operatives, their members and on self-employed workers. With reference to its previous direct requests, it asks the Government to provide further information on the impact of measures that have been taken to create productive jobs.

4. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government concerning the active participation of workers' collectives in the discussions relating to special regulations, legislative texts and draft legislation throughout 1989 and 1990, the account that was taken of their suggestions in the final texts and the activities of trade unions, particularly in the field of training. It would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information on the role of representatives of the persons affected, and in particular the representatives of employers and workers, in the formulation and implementation of employment policies (Article 3 of the Convention).

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The Committee takes note of the Government's report and the detailed statistical information provided in reply to its previous direct request. It notes, in particular, the various measures set forth in the Order of 5 February 1988 to ensure "effective" employment, improve the employment services and the placement system, and strengthen social guarantees for the workers. It would be grateful if, in its next report, the Government would continue to provide data on the situation, level and trends of employment, and information on the implementation of the new economic and employment policy measures. Please refer, in particular, to the following areas.

1. Please describe the effect on employment of the prices and incomes measures taken or contemplated within the framework of section 14 of the Law of the USSR of 30 June 1987 on state enterprises (amalgamations). Please refer also to the measures set forth in the same section to introduce certain flexibility of employment (part-time work, home work, working time arrangements).

2. The Committee takes note of the provisions of sections 8 and 23 of the Law of the USSR of 30 June 1987 on state enterprises (amalgamations) concerning vocational training and retraining. It would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the nature of these activities, the number of workers involved and the characteristics of the retraining courses for redundant workers.

3. In its report, the Government refers to several methods of promoting full employment: the creation of new jobs in certain sectors, the organisation of shift work, the creation of co-operatives and the promotion of individual occupations. The Committee requests the Government to state whether any particular difficulties have been encountered in implementing these measures and to indicate their effect on the creation of productive jobs.

4. The Committee notes the information on the activities of trade unions in the field of training. Please continue to provide information on this subject and, more generally, on the role of the trade unions and persons concerned in implementing the new employment policy measures, particularly those concerning social guarantees (Article 3 of the Convention).