E/C.12/PRT/CO/4 the Social Emergency Programme implemented since 2011, and any other subsequent post-crisis economic and financial reforms, with a view to ensuring that austerity measures are progressively waived and the effective protection of the rights under the Covenant is enhanced in line with the progress achieved in the post-crisis economic recovery. Discrimination against Roma 7. The Committee is concerned that, despite various steps taken by the State Party and the progress achieved so far, Roma continue to experience social exclusion and discrimination in the enjoyment of their rights under the Covenant, in particular in the areas of education, employment, health care and housing. While welcoming the adoption in 2013 of the National Strategy for the Integration of Roma Communities for the period 2013-2020, the Committee notes that the lack of accurate and updated data and information on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights by Roma represents a significant obstacle for the effective implementation of the National Strategy (art. 2, para. 2). The Committee recommends that the State party step up its efforts to combat discrimination against Roma with a view to giving full effect to their economic, social and cultural rights in practice and, to that end, to: (a) Collect statistical data on the number of Roma living in the country, on the basis of voluntary self-identification; (b) Carry out a study on the situation of economic, social and cultural rights of Roma, as foreseen in the National Strategy for the Integration of Roma Communities for the period 2013–2020, with a view to effectively implementing and monitoring the current Strategy; (c) Provide adequate earmarked resources, including from the public budget, for the effective implementation of the National Strategy, and assess, on a regular basis, the effectiveness of measures taken; (d) Step up efforts aimed at the elimination of stereotypes and negative prejudices against Roma, including by increasing awareness-raising campaigns that promote tolerance and respect for ethnic diversity. Unemployment 8. The Committee is concerned that the unemployment rate remains exceptionally high, affecting disproportionately young people under the age of 24, whose unemployment rate has more than doubled since 2008. The Committee also notes that long-term unemployment has increased from 48.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2008 to 56 per cent in the second quarter of 2013 (art. 6). The Committee recommends that the State party step up its efforts to reduce unemployment, in particular unemployment among young persons, with a view to moving progressively towards the full realization of the right to work, inter alia, by: (a) Strengthening the programmes and strategies aimed at reducing unemployment rates and ensuring that policies to promote employment effectively target groups disproportionately affected by unemployment; (b) Addressing the causes of youth unemployment, creating employment opportunities for young people and enhancing the quality of technical and vocational training and education, taking into account labour market opportunities, including by implementing the Portuguese Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan, which entered into force in January 2014, and other active labour market measures; 3