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1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the Government’s reports received in September 2009 and July 2010. It notes that an employment promotion programme is adopted every two years to promote employment, reduce unemployment and underemployment and support disadvantaged groups in their search for employment. The Government indicates that the implementation of the employment promotion programme for the period 2008–09, which provided for the creation of around 185,900 jobs, resulted in the placement of 45,051 persons in 2009, including 1,356 jobseekers belonging to vulnerable categories, such as disabled persons, young persons and women with dependent children. Furthermore, 3,052 jobseekers obtained loans on favourable terms to embark on an entrepreneurial activity, 2,252 received unemployment benefits, 8,815 benefited from vocational training and 7,396 were involved in public works. In total, 185,041 new jobs were created. The Government indicates that the
2010–11 programme aims to create 238,425 jobs in areas such as the construction of hydroelectric power stations, road work and hospital building works. The programme also aims to reduce the impact of the financial and economic crisis on the labour market. It is based on an analysis of labour market indicators at the regional and sectoral levels and on the quality of the workforce. The Government indicates that a new job creation programme has been adopted for the period 2008–15. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report concerning the results achieved in the context of the employment promotion programme for 2010–11, disaggregated by category, particularly concerning vulnerable categories of jobseekers such as young persons and women. It also requests the Government to indicate the manner in which labour market data is collected and used to determine and review employment policy measures.

2. Measures to overcome the economic crisis. The Government indicates in its report received in September 2009 that the economic and political capacities of Tajikistan have been severely affected by the financial crisis and that the country is facing a decline in its industrial production, a rise in unemployment, an increase in wages and pension debt, a drop in foreign trade and a budget deficit. Most social indicators are showing a reduction in the funding of social programmes. According to the survey conducted by the Employment Department, only 39.5 per cent of jobseekers have found employment. In its General Survey of 2010 on employment instruments, the Committee emphasizes that the employment Conventions and Recommendations taken together provide a framework to: realize the human right to work and to education for all; confront and mitigate the effects of the global economic crisis; and ensure continuing and genuine tripartite consultations (see paragraph 788 of the General Survey of 2010). The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the repercussions of the economic crisis on employment and the measures taken to revive an active policy promoting full, productive and freely chosen employment.

3. Collection and use of employment data. The Government indicates that a job vacancy database will be created once the employment services website is operational. The Committee requests the Government to provide any information available on the progress made in creating a database which meets the needs of jobseekers effectively.

4. Coordination of employment policy with the poverty reduction strategy. According to the information contained in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper 2007–09 (PRSP), the poverty rate is constantly on the decline and fell from 83 per cent in 1999 to 64 per cent in 2003 and 57 per cent in 2004, but there is still a gap in growth between urban and rural areas, with the rural population living on less than US$2.15 per day. According to the PRSP, although the unemployment rate fell slightly by 1.9 percentage points between 2000 and 2004, when it was reported at 7.4 per cent, growth in employment was lagging behind growth in the labour force. This is explained by the fact that the surplus in the labour market is the result of persons who are not reported as unemployed or persons working in the informal economy or abroad. The PRSP also emphasizes the regional disparities in employment patterns and the high concentration of the workforce in urban areas, such as in the city of Dushanbe. The Committee requests the Government to include information in its next report concerning the progress made in terms of the creation of long-term employment and poverty reduction, particularly in rural areas, following the implementation of the poverty reduction strategy. Please also provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to reduce the regional disparities in economic growth and employment.

5. Coordination of education and training policy with employment policy. The Government indicates that the difficulties encountered in achieving the objective of full, productive and freely chosen employment are essentially due to gaps in levels of vocational training, given that the majority of jobseekers officially registered with the employment services do not have the qualifications required and, of the 15,800 persons registered with the employment services in 2009, 43.7 per cent were young persons aged between 15 and 19 years and 48 per cent had no qualifications, while 64.6 per cent had only a secondary school diploma. In this regard, the Government adopted Decision No. 115 of 5 March 2008 establishing a National Adult Training Centre to provide vocational training and guidance to all jobseekers. In 2009, 2,308 jobseekers received training in the centre. The Government indicates in its report concerning the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), that the Scientific Research Institute of Labour and Social Insurance has made a number of recommendations to improve the system of vocational training and guidance and to link vocational education to the requirements of the labour market. Referring to its direct request of 2010 concerning the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), the Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the progress made with regard to the provision of training for jobseekers, following the establishment of the National Adult Training Centre. It would also like to be able to examine the results of the measures taken to improve the level of qualifications and to coordinate education and training policies with employment prospects.

6. Article 3. Participation of the social partners in policy preparation and implementation. The Government indicates that, in view of the difficulties encountered by the population in accessing the labour market, the Association of Employers of Tajikistan is undertaking work involving consultation and the provision of information to promote self-employment. Assistance is given to employers to encourage the development of self-employed work, such as home work in regions with a large workforce and to create a flexible labour market capable of providing part-time jobs. The Government indicates that the
2009–11 general agreement concluded with the social partners mentions employment promotion and the protection of the rights of migrant workers among the priority measures to be implemented to solve the problems in the labour market. The Government also indicates that the trade union organizations oversee the implementation of the general agreement and that all issues are reviewed annually by the highest trade union bodies, a tripartite committee and other supervisory bodies. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the manner in which the representatives of the social partners are consulted in the context of the general agreements concerning employment policies. It also requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to hold consultations with the most vulnerable categories of the population, in particular with the representatives of workers in rural areas and the informal economy, to obtain their help in developing and implementing employment policy programmes and measures.

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The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its 2006 observation, which read as follows:

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes from the letter received on 19 October 2005 containing the Government’s general report that a number of legal developments relevant to the application of the Convention have taken place since the Government submitted the last report in November 1996. The Committee refers to its 2003 observation and notes in particular the approval of a State Employment Programme in March 2002. However, to evaluate the application of this Convention, the Committee considers it necessary to refer to the Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper: Second Progress Report (PRSP Report), which indicates that despite an increase in the number of employed persons in 2004 (more than 100,000), the overall employment policy remained undeveloped. The Committee recalls the Government’s goal set out in the PRSP prepared in 2002 of reaching 59 per cent employment by the year 2006. It requests the Government to indicate in its next report whether special difficulties have been encountered in attaining the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment. It also asks for information on other measures, such as programmes or activities designed to promote employment, and the manner in which these initiatives are kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

2. Regional inequality. The Committee notes from the PRSP report that significant regional employment differences remain, with high concentrations of labour resources in the densely populated oblasts of Soghd and Khatlon. It hopes the Government will provide details in its next report on how it intends to ensure balanced regional development with particular attention paid to reducing regional employment inequalities.

3. Employment services. The PRSP report further indicates that the State Employment Service (SEC) held 193 job fairs across the country in 2004 involving 2,311 agencies and private companies. As a result of these fairs, 3,701 people received offers of employment, 2,951 joined paid public works programmes and 1,435 enrolled in vocational training. The work of the SEC is supplemented by the efforts of non-governmental and informal employment agencies, with local authorities establishing volunteer employment coordination committees. Yet, the PRSP report points out that the SEC by and large lacks the capacity to reach out to all unemployed people. The Government is therefore asked to provide information in its next report on how it intends to strengthen the SEC in order to meet the needs of all unemployed persons, including vulnerable categories of workers such as women, young people, older workers and workers with disabilities.

4. Collection and use of employment data. The Committee notes from the PRSP Report that the structure and dynamics of the labour market are not well understood and that the collection of unemployment data, for example, is difficult because not all unemployed persons register with the SEC. In view of the high estimated number of informal workers in Tajikistan, the Government is asked to provide information in its next report on the efforts made to improve its capacity to assess the situation of and trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment, both in the formal and informal economy.

5. Article 3. Participation of the social partners in policy preparation and implementation. The Committee would be grateful to receive information in the next report on the consultations held with representatives of the social partners and on the implementation of employment policies, and in particular with representatives of the rural sector and the informal economy on the matters covered by the Convention.

6. The Committee once again points out that the assistance of the Office is available to help the Government meet the reporting obligations and for the technical implementation of an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention.

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its 2006 observation which read as follows:

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes from the letter received on 19 October 2005 containing the Government’s general report that a number of legal developments relevant to the application of the Convention have taken place since the Government submitted the last report in November 1996. The Committee refers to its 2003 observation and notes in particular the approval of a State Employment Programme in March 2002. However, to evaluate the application of this Convention, the Committee considers it necessary to refer to the Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper: Second Progress Report (PRSP Report), which indicates that despite an increase in the number of employed persons in 2004 (more than 100,000), the overall employment policy remained undeveloped. The Committee recalls the Government’s goal set out in the PRSP prepared in 2002 of reaching 59 per cent employment by the year 2006. It requests the Government to indicate in its next report whether special difficulties have been encountered in attaining the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment. It also asks for information on other measures, such as programmes or activities designed to promote employment, and the manner in which these initiatives are kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

2. Regional inequality. The Committee notes from the PRSP report that significant regional employment differences remain, with high concentrations of labour resources in the densely populated oblasts of Soghd and Khatlon. It hopes the Government will provide details in its next report on how it intends to ensure balanced regional development with particular attention paid to reducing regional employment inequalities.

3. Employment services. The PRSP report further indicates that the State Employment Service (SEC) held 193 job fairs across the country in 2004 involving 2,311 agencies and private companies. As a result of these fairs, 3,701 people received offers of employment, 2,951 joined paid public works programmes and 1,435 enrolled in vocational training. The work of the SEC is supplemented by the efforts of non-governmental and informal employment agencies, with local authorities establishing volunteer employment coordination committees. Yet, the PRSP report points out that the SEC by and large lacks the capacity to reach out to all unemployed people. The Government is therefore asked to provide information in its next report on how it intends to strengthen the SEC in order to meet the needs of all unemployed persons, including vulnerable categories of workers such as women, young people, older workers and workers with disabilities.

4. Collection and use of employment data. The Committee notes from the PRSP Report that the structure and dynamics of the labour market are not well understood and that the collection of unemployment data, for example, is difficult because not all unemployed persons register with the SEC. In view of the high estimated number of informal workers in Tajikistan, the Government is asked to provide information in its next report on the efforts made to improve its capacity to assess the situation of and trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment, both in the formal and informal economy.

5. Article 3. Participation of the social partners in policy preparation and implementation. The Committee would be grateful to receive information in the next report on the consultations held with representatives of the social partners and on the implementation of employment policies, and in particular with representatives of the rural sector and the informal economy on the matters covered by the Convention.

6. The Committee once again points out that the assistance of the Office is available to help the Government meet the reporting obligations and for the technical implementation of an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention.

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1. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes from the letter received on 19 October 2005 containing the Government’s general report that a number of legal developments relevant to the application of the Convention have taken place since the Government submitted the last report in November 1996. The Committee refers to its 2003 observation and notes in particular the approval of a State Employment Programme in March 2002. However, to evaluate the application of this Convention, the Committee considers it necessary to refer to the Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper: Second Progress Report (PRSP Report), which indicates that despite an increase in the number of employed persons in 2004 (more than 100,000), the overall employment policy remained undeveloped. The Committee recalls the Government’s goal set out in the PRSP prepared in 2002 of reaching 59 per cent employment by the year 2006. It requests the Government to indicate in its next report whether special difficulties have been encountered in attaining the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment. It also asks for information on other measures, such as programmes or activities designed to promote employment, and the manner in which these initiatives are kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention).

2. Regional inequality. The Committee notes from the PRSP Report that significant regional employment differences remain, with high concentrations of labour resources in the densely populated oblasts of Soghd and Khatlon. It hopes the Government will provide details in its next report on how it intends to ensure balanced regional development with particular attention paid to reducing regional employment inequalities.

3. Employment services. The PRSP Report further indicates that the State Employment Service (SEC) held 193 job fairs across the country in 2004 involving 2,311 agencies and private companies. As a result of these fairs, 3,701 people received offers of employment, 2,951 joined paid public works programmes and 1,435 enrolled in vocational training. The work of the SEC is supplemented by the efforts of non-governmental and informal employment agencies, with local authorities establishing volunteer employment coordination committees. Yet, the PRSP Report points out that the SEC by and large lacks the capacity to reach out to all unemployed people. The Government is therefore asked to provide information in its next report on how it intends to strengthen the SEC in order to meet the needs of all unemployed persons, including vulnerable categories of workers such as women, young people, older workers and workers with disabilities.

4. Collection and use of employment data. The Committee notes from the PRSP Report that the structure and dynamics of the labour market are not well understood and that the collection of unemployment data, for example, is difficult because not all unemployed persons register with the SEC. In view of the high estimated number of informal workers in Tajikistan, the Government is asked to provide information in its next report on the efforts made to improve its capacity to assess the situation of and trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment, both in the formal and informal economy (Article 2).

5. Participation of the social partners in policy preparation and implementation. The Committee would be grateful to receive information in the next report on the consultations held with representatives of the social partners and on the implementation of employment policies, and in particular with representatives of the rural sector and the informal economy on the matters covered by the Convention (Article 3).

6. The Committee once again points out that the assistance of the Office is available to help the Government meet the reporting obligations and for the technical implementation of an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention.

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1. The Committee notes with regret that a government report has not been received since November 1996. It observes that by resolution No. 666 of 19 June 2002 the Supreme Council (Majlisi Oli) approved the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and asked the Government to implement it. In this paper, it is reported that unemployment affects around one-third of the labour force and that rising unemployment figures have contributed to the increase in poverty. The Government intends to encourage an accelerated, socially fair and labour-intensive economic growth with emphasis on export, efficient and fair provisions of basic social services and targeted support to the poorest groups of the population, with the goal of attaining an employment rate of 59 per cent by 2006 (56 per cent in 2001). The Committee notes that to create employment opportunities, the Government intends to focus on three areas, apart from promoting agricultural development: creating a favourable environment for private enterprise, including in the informal economy; ensuring a well-functioning labour market; and privatization of state enterprises. Labour market policies will aim at creating a more flexible labour market through training and retraining of workers, employment counselling and providing help in seeking jobs. Central to the Government’s success in reducing poverty will be the growth in private sector output and creating jobs. Removing obstacles to the emergence of small and medium-sized enterprises and to activity in the informal economy, and generally creating a positive environment for private initiative, will be a central element in the fight against poverty.

2. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate in its next report whether any particular difficulties have been encountered in achieving the employment objectives established, as part of a coordinated economic and social policy, in consultation with representatives of those concerned, in accordance with Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. It also recalls the relevance of other Conventions ratified by Tajikistan, in particular the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111), the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), and the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159), whose full application will certainly contribute to the attainment of the objectives of employment creation established by the PRSP. With regard to employment creation by the private sector, the Government could also refer to the Job Creation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Recommendation, 1998 (No. 189).

3. Article 3. The Committee points out that this important provision of the Convention requires the involvement in consultations of government authorities and of representatives of the persons affected by the employment policy measures to be taken. The aim of the consultations is to take fully into account their experience and views and secure their full cooperation in formulating and implementing the employment policy. Representatives of the persons affected must include representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations and also representatives of sectors of the economically active population such as the rural sector and the informal economy. The Committee would appreciate receiving in the next report information on the consultations held with representatives of the persons affected in the implementation of the PRSP, and in particular with representatives of the rural sector and the informal economy on the matters covered by the Convention.

4. Finally, the Committee recalls that in its direct request of 1997, it asked the Government to report on:

-  progress in making available as precise as possible an assessment of the situation of and trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment;

-  measures taken to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, citing specific examples of policies and programmes;

-  information on how such policies and programmes are kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy, pursuant to the law on the employment of the population of 27 December 1993;

-  the impact of the budgetary and monetary policies implemented in agreement with the International Monetary Fund;

-  the functioning of the public employment service.

5. The preparation of a detailed report, including the indications asked in this observation, will certainly provide the Government and social partners with an opportunity to evaluate progress towards the achievement of the objectives of full and productive employment of the Convention. The Committee points out that the assistance of the Office is available to the Government to assist it in meeting the reporting obligations and for the technical implementation of an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention.

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The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 1999 direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes that, despite efforts to collect labour market statistics, such statistics are still not available. It requests the Government to describe in its next report any progress in making available as precise as possible an assessment of the situation of and trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment.

The Committee would appreciate if the Government would specify any measures taken to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, citing specific examples of policies and programmes. It would also appreciate more information on how such policies and programmes are kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy, pursuant to the Law on the Employment of the Population of 27 December 1993, as specified under Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. In particular, the Committee requests information on the employment aims of the five-year plan designed to establish market economy conditions, on the impact of the budgetary and monetary policies implemented in agreement with the International Monetary Fund, and on the impact on employment of the various programmes undertaken with financial assistance from the World Bank.

The Committee requests information on the implementation in practice of the Law on the Employment of the Population; on the functioning of the employment service; on the organization of public works; on the contribution of the privatization programme, agricultural reforms, and the introduction of a social safety net to objectives of the Convention; and on the education, training and retraining for the unemployed.

The Committee also asks the Government to supply full information in its next report on the provision made to ensure that employers’ and workers’ representatives are consulted on an equal footing at all stages in the preparation and application of employment policies, and that such consultations include representatives of other sectors of the labour force, in accordance with Article 3.

The Committee would also appreciate if the Government would indicate if it has undertaken any ILO technical cooperation projects relating to employment promotion, as requested under Part V of the report form.

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The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes that the Government’s report contains no new information. It hopes that a report containing full information on the following points previously raised will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session.

The Committee notes that, despite efforts to collect labour market statistics, such statistics are still not available. It requests the Government to describe in its next report any progress in making available as precise as possible an assessment of the situation of and trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment.

The Committee would appreciate if the Government would specify any measures taken to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, citing specific examples of policies and programmes. It would also appreciate more information on how such policies and programmes are kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy, pursuant to the Law on the Employment of the Population of 27 December 1993, as specified under Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. In particular, the Committee requests information on the employment aims of the five-year plan designed to establish market economy conditions, on the impact of the budgetary and monetary policies implemented in agreement with the International Monetary Fund, and on the impact on employment of the various programmes undertaken with financial assistance from the World Bank.

The Committee requests information on the implementation in practice of the Law on the Employment of the Population; on the functioning of the employment service; on the organization of public works; on the contribution of the privatisation programme, agricultural reforms, and the introduction of a social safety net to objectives of the Convention; and on the education, training and retraining for the unemployed.

The Committee also asks the Government to supply full information in its next report on the provision made to ensure that employers’ and workers’ representatives are consulted on an equal footing at all stages in the preparation and application of employment policies, and that such consultations include representatives of other sectors of the labour force, in accordance with Article 3.

The Committee would also appreciate if the Government would indicate if it has undertaken any ILO technical cooperation projects relating to employment promotion, as requested under Part V of the report form.

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which reads as follows:

The Committee notes that the Government’s report contains no new information. It hopes that a report containing full information on the following points previously raised will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session.

The Committee notes that, despite efforts to collect labour market statistics, such statistics are still not available. It requests the Government to describe in its next report any progress in making available as precise as possible an assessment of the situation of and trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment.

The Committee would appreciate if the Government would specify any measures taken to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, citing specific examples of policies and programmes. It would also appreciate more information on how such policies and programmes are kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy, pursuant to the Law on the Employment of the Population of 27 December 1993, as specified under Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. In particular, the Committee requests information on the employment aims of the five-year plan designed to establish market economy conditions, on the impact of the budgetary and monetary policies implemented in agreement with the International Monetary Fund, and on the impact on employment of the various programmes undertaken with financial assistance from the World Bank.

The Committee requests information on the implementation in practice of the Law on the Employment of the Population; on the functioning of the employment service; on the organization of public works; on the contribution of the privatisation programme, agricultural reforms, and the introduction of a social safety net to objectives of the Convention; and on the education, training and retraining for the unemployed.

The Committee also asks the Government to supply full information in its next report on the provision made to ensure that employers’ and workers’ representatives are consulted on an equal footing at all stages in the preparation and application of employment policies, and that such consultations include representatives of other sectors of the labour force, in accordance with Article 3.

The Committee would also appreciate if the Government would indicate if it has undertaken any ILO technical cooperation projects relating to employment promotion, as requested under Part V of the report form.

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The Committee notes that the Government's report contains no new information. It hopes that a report containing full information on the following points previously raised will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session.

The Committee notes that, despite efforts to collect labour market statistics, such statistics are still not available. It requests the Government to describe in its next report any progress in making available as precise as possible an assessment of the situation of and trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment.

The Committee would appreciate if the Government would specify any measures taken to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, citing specific examples of policies and programmes. It would also appreciate more information on how such policies and programmes are kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy, pursuant to the Law on the Employment of the Population of 27 December 1993, as specified under Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. In particular, the Committee requests information on the employment aims of the five-year plan designed to establish market economy conditions, on the impact of the budgetary and monetary policies implemented in agreement with the International Monetary Fund, and on the impact on employment of the various programmes undertaken with financial assistance from the World Bank.

The Committee requests information on the implementation in practice of the Law on the Employment of the Population; on the functioning of the employment service; on the organization of public works; on the contribution of the privatisation programme, agricultural reforms, and the introduction of a social safety net to objectives of the Convention; and on the education, training and retraining for the unemployed.

The Committee also asks the Government to supply full information in its next report on the provision made to ensure that employers' and workers' representatives are consulted on an equal footing at all stages in the preparation and application of employment policies, and that such consultations include representatives of other sectors of the labour force, in accordance with Article 3.

The Committee would also appreciate if the Government would indicate if it has undertaken any ILO technical cooperation projects relating to employment promotion, as requested under Part V of the report form.

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The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee took note of the Government's report and of the brief information which it contains in response to its previous request. It recognizes the difficulties being encountered and hopes that the Government will soon be able to provide a more detailed report on the application of the Convention including the information required in the report form. In addition, the Committee reiterates its particular interest in obtaining information on the following points:

1. The Committee notes that, despite the efforts made to collect labour market statistics, such statistics are still not available. It observes that the Government considers it necessary to undertake investigations to determine the scope of hidden unemployment, and requests the Government to describe, in its next report, any progress made with a view to making available as precise as possible an assessment of the situation of and trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment.

2. The Committee invites the Government to indicate the manner in which the measures to be taken with a view to promoting full, productive and freely chosen employment are decided and kept under review "within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy", pursuant to the Law on the Employment of the Population of 27 December 1993 and in accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Please specify, in particular, the employment aims of the five-year plan designed to establish market economy conditions in the year 2000. Please indicate the perceived or anticipated effect on employment of the budgetary and monetary policies implemented in agreement with the International Monetary Fund. Please provide information on the contribution to the pursuit of employment aims made by the privatization programme, agricultural reform and the introduction of a social safety net with the financial support of the World Bank.

3. Please provide information on the implementation in practice of the Law on the Employment of the Population; on the employment services, the organization of public works, and as to training and vocational retraining of the unemployed. Please indicate whether measures have been adopted in response to the needs of particular categories of the population such as women, young people or handicapped workers.

4. Article 3. The Committee observes that section 20 of the Law on the Employment of the Population to which the Government refers deals only with the obligations of employers in implementing employment policy. It again requests the Government to indicate the provisions made to ensure that employers' representatives are consulted, on an equal footing with workers' unions, at all stages in the preparation and application of employment policy, in accordance with this essential provision of the Convention. Please indicate the measures taken or envisaged also to ensure consultation on employment policy measures with representatives of other sectors of the labour force, such as representatives of those employed in the rural or informal sectors. Please describe the practical methods of consultation with the representatives of all persons affected.

5. Point V of the report form. Please indicate whether ILO technical cooperation projects relating to employment promotion are being implemented or are envisaged.

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The Committee took note of the Government's report and of the brief information which it contains in response to its previous request. It recognizes the difficulties being encountered and hopes that the Government will soon be able to provide a more detailed report on the application of the Convention including the information required in the report form. In addition, the Committee reiterates its particular interest in obtaining information on the following points:

1. The Committee notes that, despite the efforts made to collect labour market statistics, such statistics are still not available. It observes that the Government considers it necessary to undertake investigations to determine the scope of hidden unemployment, and requests the Government to describe, in its next report, any progress made with a view to making available as precise as possible an assessment of the situation of and trends in employment, unemployment and underemployment.

2. The Committee invites the Government to indicate the manner in which the measures to be taken with a view to promoting full, productive and freely chosen employment are decided and kept under review "within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy", pursuant to the Law on the Employment of the Population of 27 December 1993 and in accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Please specify, in particular, the employment aims of the five-year plan designed to establish market economy conditions in the year 2000. Please indicate the perceived or anticipated effect on employment of the budgetary and monetary policies implemented in agreement with the International Monetary Fund. Please provide information on the contribution to the pursuit of employment aims made by the privatization programme, agricultural reform and the introduction of a social safety net with the financial support of the World Bank.

3. Please provide information on the implementation in practice of the Law on the Employment of the Population; on the employment services, the organization of public works, and as to training and vocational retraining of the unemployed. Please indicate whether measures have been adopted in response to the needs of particular categories of the population such as women, young people or handicapped workers.

4. Article 3. The Committee observes that section 20 of the Law on the Employment of the Population to which the Government refers deals only with the obligations of employers in implementing employment policy. It again requests the Government to indicate the provisions made to ensure that employers' representatives are consulted, on an equal footing with workers' unions, at all stages in the preparation and application of employment policy, in accordance with this essential provision of the Convention. Please indicate the measures taken or envisaged also to ensure consultation on employment policy measures with representatives of other sectors of the labour force, such as representatives of those employed in the rural or informal sectors. Please describe the practical methods of consultation with the representatives of all persons affected.

5. Point V of the report form. Please indicate whether ILO technical cooperation projects relating to employment promotion are being implemented or are envisaged.

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The Committee notes with interest the Government's report which contains valuable indications on the spirit in which the Convention continues to be applied in Tajikistan. It notes in particular that the 1994 Constitution enshrines the right to work and to choose one's profession or job freely while under the Law on Employment of Population of 27 December 1993 it is the State's responsibility to pursue a policy of promoting full, productive and freely chosen employment. To enable it to make a better assessment of the effect given in practice to each provision of the Convention, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply in its next report supplementary information in reply to the questions on the report form on each of the following points.

1. The Committee notes the data on the active population attached to the report. It hopes that the Government will be able to supply in its next report more detailed statistical information on the situation and changes in the active population, employment, underemployment and unemployment for the whole country and in the various regions, by employment sector, gender and age. In this regard, the Committee notes that the Law on Employment of Population, section 13(3), provides for the compilation of statistics on the labour market and employment problems. Please indicate the measures taken or envisaged under this provision in order to compile and analyse data relating to the nature and trends of labour supply and demand which are needed for implementation of an active employment policy.

2. The Committee notes that among the principles which guide the government's action, the Law on Employment of Population lays down that the employment policy must be coordinated with the other economic and social policies. Please indicate how under this provision the measures to be adopted with a view to achieving the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment are determined and reviewed regularly "within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy", in accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. In particular, please indicate how the measures taken in such fields as investment policy, monetary and budgetary policies, price, income and wages policies are contributing to the promotion of employment. Please indicate measures taken or envisaged in order to encourage balanced regional development.

3. The Committee notes that the Law on Employment of Population also provides that employment programmes should contribute to restructuring the economy, in particular through guidance and placement of workers in the expanding sectors of the national economy; their training and retraining for this purpose, whilst special attention must be paid to the employment of certain particular categories of the population such as women, young persons, older workers or the disabled. Please supply detailed information on the establishment of employment services and their activities, occupational training and retraining policies and the measures designed to satisfy the needs of groups subject to special difficulties on the labour market.

4. The Committee notes that section 4 of the Law on Employment of the Population enshrines the fundamental principle of participation by trade unions and employers' organizations in formulating and implementing employment policy measures. It observes, moreover, that while section 21 of the Law gives trade unions the right to participate in formulating employment policy and legislation, a similar right is not expressly given to employers' organizations. The Committee recalls in this context Article 3 of the Convention under which representatives of the persons affected, and in particular representatives of employers and workers, shall 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". In addition, in view of their importance in the active population, it may seem appropriate also to include workers from the rural sector and informal sector in these consultations. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would describe in its next report the practical means of consulting representatives of all the persons affected.