E/C.12/1/Add.65 page 3 14. The Committee expresses its concern about the scale of the arrears in the payment of wages and pensions, depriving the people concerned of the means for survival. 15. The Committee notes with deep concern the high number of accidents owing to inadequate health and safety standards in the workplace and obsolete industrial equipment, particularly in the mining sector, as well as the insufficient efforts of the State party to enforce the existing standards. 16. The Committee is concerned about restrictions on trade union freedoms, including the right of everyone to join a trade union of his/her choice, as well as acts of intimidation by local authorities against independent trade unions and their leaders. 17. The Committee notes with concern that the budgets allocated for education and scientific research have fallen sharply, leading to a deterioration in the quality of education. The Committee is particularly concerned about obsolete teaching materials and equipment in schools and colleges, and the low levels of remuneration for teachers. 18. The Committee is concerned at the deterioration in the health of the most vulnerable groups, especially women and children, and in the quality of health services. The Committee notes with concern the rise in the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and the spread of HIV/AIDS. It is also concerned about the high incidence of alcohol abuse and tobacco use, especially among persons under 18 years. E. Suggestions and recommendations 19. The Committee recommends that the State party evaluate the economic reform policies with respect to their impact on poverty, and make efforts to adjust its programmes in a manner consistent with safeguarding the economic, social and cultural rights of the most vulnerable segments of society. In this regard, it draws the attention of the State party to the Committee’s statement on poverty adopted on 4 May 2001. 20. The Committee recommends that the State party take into account its obligations under the Covenant in all aspects of its negotiations with international financial institutions, thus ensuring that economic, social and cultural rights, particularly of the most vulnerable groups, are duly protected. 21. While welcoming the delegation’s confirmation of the State party’s intention to prepare a human rights plan of action with the assistance of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Committee recommends that the State party elaborate, through an open and consultative process, a comprehensive national plan of action aimed at implementing its obligations under international human rights instruments, including the Covenant. The Committee requests the State party to annex a copy of the national human rights plan of action to its fifth periodic report, and to inform the Committee about the progress made in its implementation.