Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Tajikistan (Ratification: 1993)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

The Committee takes note of the supplementary information provided by the Government in light of the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 338th session (June 2020). The Committee proceeded with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information contained in Government’s report received in August 2020.

COVID-19 pandemic. Socioeconomic impacts. Response and recovery measures. The Committee notes from the ILO monitor on country policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic the measures taken by the Government to mitigate the impact of the pandemic with regard to social protection, employment retention, assistance to businesses and business continuity. The Committee notes, among others measures, the provision of one-time assistance equivalent to the minimum wage to groups of the population in vulnerable situation (such as persons with disabilities and low-income families); the provision of financial support, skills development and entrepreneurship training to returning migrant women and their families; the provision of support to returning migrants in rural areas. In addition, tax exemptions have been established for certain enterprises, and regulatory measures have been implemented to ensure the liquidity of financial institutions and create favourable conditions for access to credit. The Committee recalls the comprehensive guidance provided by international labour standards. In this regard, the Committee wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation, 2017 (No. 205), which provides guidelines for developing and implementing effective, consensus-based and inclusive responses to the profound socio-economic impacts of the pandemic.The Committee invites the Government to provide updated information in its next report on the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to address it on the implementation of the programs and measures aimed at ensuring the objectives of the Convention.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the impact of the employment programmes and measures adopted, including the ones targeting women and youth. The Government was also requested to provide information on the progress made in terms of poverty reduction, particularly in rural areas, and on the measures taken to reduce the regional disparities in economic growth and employment. The Committee notes the adoption in December 2019 of the Employment Promotion Programme 2020-22, which includes measures aiming at promoting women and youth employment. The Programme aims to bring 135,900 women into employment. The Government refers to the rapidly increasing rate of young persons in the country (at an annual average rate of 2 per cent). It further indicates that the population growth is outstripping the number of job opportunities in a labour market with 2.3 million workers and an economically active population that is almost 2.5 times bigger. The Government indicates that even if it creates up to 100,000 job opportunities every year, this is not enough. Therefore, part of the population is forced to migrate abroad. Furthermore, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report submitted to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESC) in March 2020 concerning different employment measures implemented and their impact (document E/C.12/TJK/4). In particular, the Government reports that in 2019, 142,221 citizens sought assistance from the Labour and Employment Agency; of these, 106,542 were registered as jobseekers and 60,045 were officially declared unemployed. It indicates that, overall, 76,374 persons found work. The Government also refers to the different job fairs organized in 2019 by the Labour and Employment Agency and to the adoption of the Short-Term Development Programme of Tajikistan for the period 2016–2020 implementing the first phase of the National Development Strategy of Tajikistan for the period up to 2030, (document E/C.12/TJK/4, paragraphs 61 to 64 and 67). Lastly, the Committee notes with interest the signature of the Decent Work Country Programme for 2020-24 (DWCP) on 15 September 2020 between the Government, the workers’ and employers’ organizations, and the ILO, which contemplates the adoption of measures to ensure inclusive economic growth by creating decent jobs and strengthening labour market institutions; improve working conditions and enhance the coverage of social protection; and build the capacities of tripartite constituents and social dialogue institutions to address priority labour issues.The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed updated information on the impact of the measures adopted in the framework of the Employment Promotion Programme 2020-22 and the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for 2020-24 as well as the National Development Strategy of Tajikistan and its accompanying short-term development programmes. In particular, it requests the Government to provide detailed information on the manner and extent to which the measures implemented have enabled the beneficiaries to obtain full, productive and sustainable employment. The Committee also requests the Government to provide updated statistical information on trends in the labour market, especially in relation to the economically active population, employment and unemployment, disaggregated by sex and age. The Committee reiterates its requests to the Government to provide detailed updated information on the progress made in terms of poverty reduction, particularly in rural areas, and on the measures taken to reduce the regional disparities in economic growth and employment.

Collection and use of employment data. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that the Labour and Employment Agency under the Ministry for Labour, Migration and Employment analyses the situation in the labour market, including the number and composition of the unemployed population. The Government reports that, at the end of June 2020, 51,500 persons (481 per cent were women) were registered as unemployed at the Labour and Employment Agency. The Committee also notes that, according to the information provided by the Government in its 2020 report submitted to the CESC, a labour force survey was conducted in July and August 2016 with the support of the World Bank in the framework of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics for the period 2015–18. The Statistics Agency regularly conducts analyses and publishes reports on the state of the labour market, which are posted on the Agency’s website (document E/C.12/TJK/4, paragraph 57). The Committee notes, nonetheless, that the Government does not indicate the manner in which the labour market data is used to determine and review employment policy measures.The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the results of the analysis of the state of the labour market. The Committee reiterates its requests to the Government to indicate the manner in which labour market data is used to determine and review employment policy measures.

Coordination of education and training policy with employment policy. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that most jobs seekers jobs registered officially with the Labour and Employment Agency do not have the required skills for the jobs offered. The Government reports that, from January to June 2020, the employment services placed 7,400 registered unemployed people in vocational training, some 43 per cent fewer than in the corresponding period in 2019. A total of 3,500 people completed vocational training, 53.1 per cent fewer than in the corresponding period in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The Committee refers to its comments on the application of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), and requests the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of the measures taken to improve workers’ skills and qualifications and to coordinate education and training policies with employment opportunities.

Women’s employment. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its 2020 report submitted to CESC in relation to the measures adopted to promote women’s access to the labour market. Among other measures, the Government indicates that, in the framework of the Government Decision No. 645 of 2 November 2015 on the establishment and allocation of presidential grants to support and develop women’s entrepreneurship over the period 2016–20, grants were allocated to support 80 projects by women entrepreneurs in 2019. In addition, 48,600 women and girls underwent vocational training with the assistance of the Labour and Employment Agency. Short training courses in folk crafts were also organized at the Ministry’s initial vocational training institutions, and 9,134 persons, including 2,691 women, completed courses in 36 different trades (document E/C.12/TJK/4, paragraphs 70 and 71). The Committee notes, however, that in its 2018 concluding observations, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) expressed concerns about: (a) the persistent gender pay gap and vertical and horizontal occupational segregation in the labour market; (b) the concentration of women in the informal sector and in low-paying jobs in the health-care, education and agriculture sectors; (c) the low level of labour participation among women (32.6 per cent) and the low employment rate among women (40.5 per cent), compared with men (59.5 per cent); (d) the absence of social security coverage, the shortage of preschool facilities and conflicting family responsibilities, which make women particularly prone to unemployment; (e) the persistent restriction on the employment of women in hard, underground, heavy and hazardous work, work in harmful conditions and involving manual lifting (articles 160, 161 and 216 of the Labour Code) and the adoption of the list of occupations for which the employment of women is prohibited, in 2017; (f) the lack of access to employment for women with a reduced capacity for competitiveness, such as women with disabilities, mothers with several children, women heads of single-parent families, pregnant women and women who have been left behind by male migrants (document CEDAW/C/TJK/CO/6, 14 November 2018, paragraph 37).In light of the observations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the nature and impact of measures adopted or envisaged to promote the participation of women in the labour market, including statistical data disaggregated by sex, age and economic sector.

Informal employment. The Committee notes that the Government refers to the implementation of the Programme to Reduce Unregistered (Informal) Employment in Tajikistan covering the period 2019-23, which was approved by Government Decision No. 466 of 31 August 2019.The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the nature and impact of measures taken or envisaged in the framework of the Programme to Reduce Unregistered (Informal) Employment in Tajikistan covering the period 2019-23 to integrate informal economy workers into the formal labour market.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the social partners are working together with the Government to implement employment programmes. In this regard, it indicates that the workers’ organizations have contributed to the implementation of the government’s labour market strategy for the period until 2020. On 11 April 2020, a tripartite meeting was held on the status of implementation of the General Agreement between the Government, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions, and the National Employers Association. The Government adds that, in this context, measures were taken to further strengthening and developing social partnerships in areas such as employment, labour relations and the creation of productive job opportunities, including the establishment of an inter-agency group to work on new projects under the General Agreement, focusing on the promotion of decent work in the short-term.The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed updated information on the content and the nature of the consultations held with the social partners concerning the formulation, implementation and evaluation of active employment policies. In addition, it reiterates its request that the Government provide information on the consultations held with groups of population in vulnerable situations, in particular with the representatives of workers in rural areas and in the informal economy.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee takes note of the supplementary information provided by the Government in light of the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 338th session (June 2020). The Committee proceeded with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information contained in Government’s report received in August 2020.

COVID-19 pandemic. Socioeconomic impacts. Response and recovery measures. The Committee notes from the ILO monitor on country policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic the measures taken by the Government to mitigate the impact of the pandemic with regard to social protection, employment retention, assistance to businesses and business continuity. The Committee notes, among others measures, the provision of one-time assistance equivalent to the minimum wage to groups of the population in vulnerable situation (such as persons with disabilities and low-income families); the provision of financial support, skills development and entrepreneurship training to returning migrant women and their families; the provision of support to returning migrants in rural areas. In addition, tax exemptions have been established for certain enterprises, and regulatory measures have been implemented to ensure the liquidity of financial institutions and create favourable conditions for access to credit. The Committee recalls the comprehensive guidance provided by international labour standards. In this regard, the Committee wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation, 2017 (No. 205), which provides guidelines for developing and implementing effective, consensus-based and inclusive responses to the profound socio-economic impacts of the pandemic. The Committee invites the Government to provide updated information in its next report on the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to address it on the implementation of the programs and measures aimed at ensuring the objectives of the Convention.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the impact of the employment programmes and measures adopted, including the ones targeting women and youth. The Government was also requested to provide information on the progress made in terms of poverty reduction, particularly in rural areas, and on the measures taken to reduce the regional disparities in economic growth and employment. The Committee notes the adoption in December 2019 of the Employment Promotion Programme 2020-22, which includes measures aiming at promoting women and youth employment. The Programme aims to bring 135,900 women into employment. The Government refers to the rapidly increasing rate of young persons in the country (at an annual average rate of 2 per cent). It further indicates that the population growth is outstripping the number of job opportunities in a labour market with 2.3 million workers and an economically active population that is almost 2.5 times bigger. The Government indicates that even if it creates up to 100,000 job opportunities every year, this is not enough. Therefore, part of the population is forced to migrate abroad. Furthermore, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report submitted to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESC) in March 2020 concerning different employment measures implemented and their impact (document E/C.12/TJK/4). In particular, the Government reports that in 2019, 142,221 citizens sought assistance from the Labour and Employment Agency; of these, 106,542 were registered as jobseekers and 60,045 were officially declared unemployed. It indicates that, overall, 76,374 persons found work. The Government also refers to the different job fairs organized in 2019 by the Labour and Employment Agency and to the adoption of the Short-Term Development Programme of Tajikistan for the period 2016–2020 implementing the first phase of the National Development Strategy of Tajikistan for the period up to 2030, (document E/C.12/TJK/4, paragraphs 61 to 64 and 67). Lastly, the Committee notes with interest the signature of the Decent Work Country Programme for 2020-24 (DWCP) on 15 September 2020 between the Government, the workers’ and employers’ organizations, and the ILO, which contemplates the adoption of measures to ensure inclusive economic growth by creating decent jobs and strengthening labour market institutions; improve working conditions and enhance the coverage of social protection; and build the capacities of tripartite constituents and social dialogue institutions to address priority labour issues. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed updated information on the impact of the measures adopted in the framework of the Employment Promotion Programme 2020-22 and the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for 2020-24 as well as the National Development Strategy of Tajikistan and its accompanying short-term development programmes. In particular, it requests the Government to provide detailed information on the manner and extent to which the measures implemented have enabled the beneficiaries to obtain full, productive and sustainable employment. The Committee also requests the Government to provide updated statistical information on trends in the labour market, especially in relation to the economically active population, employment and unemployment, disaggregated by sex and age. The Committee reiterates its requests to the Government to provide detailed updated information on the progress made in terms of poverty reduction, particularly in rural areas, and on the measures taken to reduce the regional disparities in economic growth and employment.

Collection and use of employment data. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that the Labour and Employment Agency under the Ministry for Labour, Migration and Employment analyses the situation in the labour market, including the number and composition of the unemployed population. The Government reports that, at the end of June 2020, 51,500 persons (481 per cent were women) were registered as unemployed at the Labour and Employment Agency. The Committee also notes that, according to the information provided by the Government in its 2020 report submitted to the CESC, a labour force survey was conducted in July and August 2016 with the support of the World Bank in the framework of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics for the period 2015–18. The Statistics Agency regularly conducts analyses and publishes reports on the state of the labour market, which are posted on the Agency’s website (document E/C.12/TJK/4, paragraph 57). The Committee notes, nonetheless, that the Government does not indicate the manner in which the labour market data is used to determine and review employment policy measures. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the results of the analysis of the state of the labour market. The Committee reiterates its requests to the Government to indicate the manner in which labour market data is used to determine and review employment policy measures.

Coordination of education and training policy with employment policy. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that most jobs seekers jobs registered officially with the Labour and Employment Agency do not have the required skills for the jobs offered. The Government reports that, from January to June 2020, the employment services placed 7,400 registered unemployed people in vocational training, some 43 per cent fewer than in the corresponding period in 2019. A total of 3,500 people completed vocational training, 53.1 per cent fewer than in the corresponding period in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee refers to its comments on the application of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), and requests the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of the measures taken to improve workers’ skills and qualifications and to coordinate education and training policies with employment opportunities.

Women’s employment. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its 2020 report submitted to CESC in relation to the measures adopted to promote women’s access to the labour market. Among other measures, the Government indicates that, in the framework of the Government Decision No. 645 of 2 November 2015 on the establishment and allocation of presidential grants to support and develop women’s entrepreneurship over the period 2016–20, grants were allocated to support 80 projects by women entrepreneurs in 2019. In addition, 48,600 women and girls underwent vocational training with the assistance of the Labour and Employment Agency. Short training courses in folk crafts were also organized at the Ministry’s initial vocational training institutions, and 9,134 persons, including 2,691 women, completed courses in 36 different trades (document E/C.12/TJK/4, paragraphs 70 and 71). The Committee notes, however, that in its 2018 concluding observations, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) expressed concerns about: (a) the persistent gender pay gap and vertical and horizontal occupational segregation in the labour market; (b) the concentration of women in the informal sector and in low-paying jobs in the health-care, education and agriculture sectors; (c) the low level of labour participation among women (32.6 per cent) and the low employment rate among women (40.5 per cent), compared with men (59.5 per cent); (d) the absence of social security coverage, the shortage of preschool facilities and conflicting family responsibilities, which make women particularly prone to unemployment; (e) the persistent restriction on the employment of women in hard, underground, heavy and hazardous work, work in harmful conditions and involving manual lifting (articles 160, 161 and 216 of the Labour Code) and the adoption of the list of occupations for which the employment of women is prohibited, in 2017; (f) the lack of access to employment for women with a reduced capacity for competitiveness, such as women with disabilities, mothers with several children, women heads of single-parent families, pregnant women and women who have been left behind by male migrants (document CEDAW/C/TJK/CO/6, 14 November 2018, paragraph 37). In light of the observations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the nature and impact of measures adopted or envisaged to promote the participation of women in the labour market, including statistical data disaggregated by sex, age and economic sector.

Informal employment. The Committee notes that the Government refers to the implementation of the Programme to Reduce Unregistered (Informal) Employment in Tajikistan covering the period 2019-23, which was approved by Government Decision No. 466 of 31 August 2019. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the nature and impact of measures taken or envisaged in the framework of the Programme to Reduce Unregistered (Informal) Employment in Tajikistan covering the period 2019-23 to integrate informal economy workers into the formal labour market.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the social partners are working together with the Government to implement employment programmes. In this regard, it indicates that the workers’ organizations have contributed to the implementation of the government’s labour market strategy for the period until 2020. On 11 April 2020, a tripartite meeting was held on the status of implementation of the General Agreement between the Government, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions, and the National Employers Association. The Government adds that, in this context, measures were taken to further strengthening and developing social partnerships in areas such as employment, labour relations and the creation of productive job opportunities, including the establishment of an inter-agency group to work on new projects under the General Agreement, focusing on the promotion of decent work in the short-term. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed updated information on the content and the nature of the consultations held with the social partners concerning the formulation, implementation and evaluation of active employment policies. In addition, it reiterates its request that the Government provide information on the consultations held with groups of population in vulnerable situations, in particular with the representatives of workers in rural areas and in the informal economy.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee notes with concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It expects that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Coordination of employment policy with the poverty reduction strategy. The Government indicates in its report that a range of employment laws and programmes were adopted between 2010 and 2015, including the Government Employment Promotion Programme 2014–15 and the Government Labour Market Development Strategy to 2020. It also lists activities carried out by the Labour and Employment Agency of the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment of the Republic of Tajikistan with regard to the labour market and employment. These tasks include the regular analysis and forecasting of the state of the labour market, ensuring the effective use of labour resources and the preparation of proposals to develop and implement Government policy to promote employment. The Committee notes from the report that various employment measures are targeted at women and youth, including promoting their recruitment for existing positions, providing vocational guidance and advice services and supporting initiatives to set up work through small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employment. The Government further indicates that around 60 per cent of jobs created are in the private sector. Taking this into consideration, the Government is proposing to support and develop small and medium-sized enterprises and taking measures to provide financial support for entrepreneurial initiatives by unemployed people. The Committee notes that priority support is given to unemployed people from remote and mountain areas through preferential business development loans. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the employment programmes and measures adopted, including the ones targeting women and youth. It also requests the Government to provide further information on the progress made in terms of poverty reduction, particularly in rural areas, and on the measures taken to reduce the regional disparities in economic growth and employment.

Collection and use of employment data. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide information on the progress made in creating a database which meets the needs of jobseekers. The Government indicates that the Labour and Employment Agency of the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment is undertaking an analysis of the state of the labour market, including the size and makeup of the unemployed population. The Agency is also gathering information on places offering community work. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which labour market data is collected and used to determine and review employment policy measures. Please also provide the results of the analysis of the state of the labour market.

Coordination of education and training policy with employment policy. The Government previously indicated that the difficulties encountered in achieving the objective of full, productive and freely chosen employment were essentially due to gaps in levels of vocational training, given that the majority of jobseekers officially registered with the employment services did not have the qualifications required. The Government also indicated that recommendations had been made to improve the system of vocational training and guidance and to link vocational education to the requirements of the labour market. The Committee refers to its comments on the application of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), and requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken to improve the level of qualifications and to coordinate education and training policies with employment opportunities.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Government indicates that the Promotion of Employment Committee, headed by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, includes representatives of the social partners as its members who contribute to policy development in the area of employment. The Government adds that the social partners are also involved in the consultation process. The Committee requests the Government to provide more specific information on the consultations held with the social partners concerning the formulation and implementation of an active employment policy. In this regard, please provide information on the consultations held in practice, including consultations held with the most vulnerable categories of the population, in particular with the representatives of workers in rural areas and in the informal economy.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments initially made in 2016.

Repetition

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Coordination of employment policy with the poverty reduction strategy. The Government indicates in its report that a range of employment laws and programmes were adopted between 2010 and 2015, including the Government Employment Promotion Programme 2014–15 and the Government Labour Market Development Strategy to 2020. It also lists activities carried out by the Labour and Employment Agency of the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment of the Republic of Tajikistan with regard to the labour market and employment. These tasks include the regular analysis and forecasting of the state of the labour market, ensuring the effective use of labour resources and the preparation of proposals to develop and implement Government policy to promote employment. The Committee notes from the report that various employment measures are targeted at women and youth, including promoting their recruitment for existing positions, providing vocational guidance and advice services and supporting initiatives to set up work through small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employment. The Government further indicates that around 60 per cent of jobs created are in the private sector. Taking this into consideration, the Government is proposing to support and develop small and medium-sized enterprises and taking measures to provide financial support for entrepreneurial initiatives by unemployed people. The Committee notes that priority support is given to unemployed people from remote and mountain areas through preferential business development loans. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the employment programmes and measures adopted, including the ones targeting women and youth. It also requests the Government to provide further information on the progress made in terms of poverty reduction, particularly in rural areas, and on the measures taken to reduce the regional disparities in economic growth and employment.

Collection and use of employment data. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide information on the progress made in creating a database which meets the needs of jobseekers. The Government indicates that the Labour and Employment Agency of the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment is undertaking an analysis of the state of the labour market, including the size and makeup of the unemployed population. The Agency is also gathering information on places offering community work. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which labour market data is collected and used to determine and review employment policy measures. Please also provide the results of the analysis of the state of the labour market.

Coordination of education and training policy with employment policy. The Government previously indicated that the difficulties encountered in achieving the objective of full, productive and freely chosen employment were essentially due to gaps in levels of vocational training, given that the majority of jobseekers officially registered with the employment services did not have the qualifications required. The Government also indicated that recommendations had been made to improve the system of vocational training and guidance and to link vocational education to the requirements of the labour market. The Committee refers to its comments on the application of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), and requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken to improve the level of qualifications and to coordinate education and training policies with employment opportunities.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Government indicates that the Promotion of Employment Committee, headed by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, includes representatives of the social partners as its members who contribute to policy development in the area of employment. The Government adds that the social partners are also involved in the consultation process. The Committee requests the Government to provide more specific information on the consultations held with the social partners concerning the formulation and implementation of an active employment policy. In this regard, please provide information on the consultations held in practice, including consultations held with the most vulnerable categories of the population, in particular with the representatives of workers in rural areas and in the informal economy.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Coordination of employment policy with the poverty reduction strategy. The Government indicates in its report that a range of employment laws and programmes were adopted between 2010 and 2015, including the Government Employment Promotion Programme 2014–15 and the Government Labour Market Development Strategy to 2020. It also lists activities carried out by the Labour and Employment Agency of the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment of the Republic of Tajikistan with regard to the labour market and employment. These tasks include the regular analysis and forecasting of the state of the labour market, ensuring the effective use of labour resources and the preparation of proposals to develop and implement Government policy to promote employment. The Committee notes from the report that various employment measures are targeted at women and youth, including promoting their recruitment for existing positions, providing vocational guidance and advice services and supporting initiatives to set up work through small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employment. The Government further indicates that around 60 per cent of jobs created are in the private sector. Taking this into consideration, the Government is proposing to support and develop small and medium-sized enterprises and taking measures to provide financial support for entrepreneurial initiatives by unemployed people. The Committee notes that priority support is given to unemployed people from remote and mountain areas through preferential business development loans. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the employment programmes and measures adopted, including the ones targeting women and youth. It also requests the Government to provide further information on the progress made in terms of poverty reduction, particularly in rural areas, and on the measures taken to reduce the regional disparities in economic growth and employment.

Collection and use of employment data. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide information on the progress made in creating a database which meets the needs of jobseekers. The Government indicates that the Labour and Employment Agency of the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment is undertaking an analysis of the state of the labour market, including the size and makeup of the unemployed population. The Agency is also gathering information on places offering community work. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which labour market data is collected and used to determine and review employment policy measures. Please also provide the results of the analysis of the state of the labour market.

Coordination of education and training policy with employment policy. The Government previously indicated that the difficulties encountered in achieving the objective of full, productive and freely chosen employment were essentially due to gaps in levels of vocational training, given that the majority of jobseekers officially registered with the employment services did not have the qualifications required. The Government also indicated that recommendations had been made to improve the system of vocational training and guidance and to link vocational education to the requirements of the labour market. The Committee refers to its comments on the application of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), and requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken to improve the level of qualifications and to coordinate education and training policies with employment opportunities.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Government indicates that the Promotion of Employment Committee, headed by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, includes representatives of the social partners as its members who contribute to policy development in the area of employment. The Government adds that the social partners are also involved in the consultation process. The Committee requests the Government to provide more specific information on the consultations held with the social partners concerning the formulation and implementation of an active employment policy. In this regard, please provide information on the consultations held in practice, including consultations held with the most vulnerable categories of the population, in particular with the representatives of workers in rural areas and in the informal economy.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government has not provided any information on the application of the Convention since July 2010. 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 comments.

Repetition

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Government previously indicated that the 2010–11 employment promotion programme aimed to create 238,425 jobs in areas such as the construction of hydroelectric power stations, road work and hospital building works. The programme also aimed to reduce the impact of the financial and economic crisis on the labour market. The Government indicated that a new job creation programme had been adopted for the period 2008–15. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the results achieved in the context of the employment promotion and job creation programmes, 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.

Measures to overcome the economic crisis. The Government indicated in its 2009 report that the economic and political capacities of Tajikistan had been severely affected by the financial crisis and that the country was 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. The Committee requests the Government to provide 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.

Collection and use of employment data. The Government previously indicated that a job vacancy database would be created once the employment services website was operational. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the progress made in creating a database which meets the needs of jobseekers.

Coordination of employment policy with the poverty reduction strategy. The Committee requests the Government to include information on the progress made in terms of the creation of long-term employment and poverty reduction, particularly in rural areas. Please also provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to reduce the regional disparities in economic growth and employment.

Coordination of education and training policy with employment policy. The Government previously indicated that the difficulties encountered in achieving the objective of full, productive and freely chosen employment were essentially due to gaps in levels of vocational training, given that the majority of jobseekers officially registered with the employment services did not have the qualifications required. The Government also indicated that the Scientific Research Institute of Labour and Social Insurance had 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. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the progress made with regard to the provision of training for jobseekers. Please also include information on the impact of the measures taken to improve the level of qualifications and to coordinate education and training policies with employment prospects.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in policy formulation and implementation. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the manner in which the representatives of the social partners are consulted in relation to the formulation of 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 in the informal economy, with a view to taking fully into account their experience and views when developing employment policy programmes and measures.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

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 2010 direct request, which read as follows:

Repetition

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 the2010–11 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.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

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 2010 direct request, which read as follows:

Repetition

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.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

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.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

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.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

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.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

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.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

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.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

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.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

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.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

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.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

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.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

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.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

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.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

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.