8.The Committee is concerned about information regarding the negative consequences of the policy of “Turkmenization” which sets out preference for persons of Turkmen origin and results in discrimination against national and ethnic minorities, especially in the field of education and employment. The Committee is in particular concerned about reports that “third generation tests” are imposed on persons wishing to access higher education and public sector employment. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to address discrimination against national and ethnic minorities resulting from the State party’s policy o f “Turkmeni z ation” . The Co mmittee also recommends that the State party undertake a n assessment of the implementation of relevant legislative provisions with respect to non-discrimi nation and col lect comparative and disaggregated data on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights by national and ethnic minorities. The Committee furthermore urges the State party en sure that “third-generation tests”, particularly in employment or education sectors are not applied . 9.The Committee is concerned that the existing residence registration system (propiska) creates obstacles in accessing employment and a number of social services for those who live in another place than where they are registered. The Committee urges the State party to take all necess ary measures to ensure that its system of residence registration does not impede the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights by all citizens without discrimination, irrespective of the place of registration. 10.The Committee is concerned about strong negative traditional attitudes or practices and deep-rooted stereotypes which discriminate against women and are root causes for the disadvantaged position of women in a number of areas affecting their enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, including in the labour market, in public life, and in higher education as well. The Committee recommends that the State party continue and expand its awareness-raising activities targeting direct and indirect discrimination against women with a view to counter ing negative traditional attitudes and stereotypes about the roles of women. The Committee furthermore urges the State party to adopt all necessary measures, including temporary special measures, in a number of areas affecting the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights of women , including in the labour market and higher education. 11.The Committee is concerned at the high level of unemployment in the State party. The Committee also notes with concern that members of ethnic or national minorities face restrictions with respect to training and employment in both the private and public sectors for reasons of their “non-Turkmen background”. The Committee urges the State party to take all appropriate measures to enhance the access to employment and to address the high rate of unemployment. The Committee calls upon the State party to ensure protection against direct and indirect discrimination in employment and occupation, including with regard to social services such as unemployment benefits and pensions . The Committee furthermore recommends that the State party collect data, disaggregated by national or ethnic origin, with respect to the situation of unemploym ent in the country. 12.The Committee is concerned that certain professions are not accessible to women on the ground of protecting their physical wellbeing. The Committee is also concerned that relevant statistics provided by the State party were not disaggregated by sex. The Committee is furthermore concerned about the lack of equality of opportunity and about the treatment of women and men with respect to their participation in employment and occupation. The Committee recommends that the State party review all current obstacles for women in employment and that it adopt temporary special measures to promote the access of women to all types of employment and occupation . The Committee requests that the State include, in its next periodic report, statistics, disaggregated by sex, on participation in the labour market and on the average actual earnings broken down by occupation, branch of activity, and level of qualifications, with respect to both the public and private sector. The Committee furthermore urges the State party to ensure that criteria used to determine the rates of remuneration, including those established in collective agreements and in minimum wage agreements, are determined in accordance with the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value. The Committee also recommends that the State party collect adequate data in order to ensure that the minimum wage allows for the provision of all basic services. 13.The Committee is concerned that the National Trade Union Centre is the only trade union in the State party, that it is controlled by the Government of Turkmenistan, and that the absence of independent trade unions may lead to various violations of workers’ rights. The Committee is furthermore concerned at the absence of specific legislation with regard to the right to strike. The Committee recommends that the S tate party remove all impediments for creating trade union organi z ations outside of the National Trade Union Centre and consider adopting a specific law outlining the modalities of the right to organi z e strike action. 14.The Committee is concerned about the absence of comparable and disaggregated data with respect to the enjoyment of social security benefits such as unemployment benefits, as well as disability and retirement pensions. In this regard, the Committee is particularly concerned about the situation of individuals working in the informal sector. The Committee recommends that the State party periodically review the amounts of both pensions and unemployment benefits to bring them in line with the cost of living. The Committee furthermore recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to ensure that the social security system offers workers adequate coverage and minimum pensions, including for those working in the informal sector. 15.The Committee is concerned that the provision of social assistance and welfare benefits for persons with disabilities is inadequate.