- 29 - existence of a non-contributory social security system in parallel with the general system; and the measures taken to regularize the situation of clandestine immigrant workers. 90. The Committee welcomes the decision of the Portuguese Government to ratify ILO Convention No. 138 (1973) concerning minimum age for admission to employment. It also notes with interest the raising of the minimum age for access to employment in 1992, the recent decision to increase the duration of compulsory schooling to nine years, and the various measures taken to combat child labour. 91. The Committee notes with satisfaction the campaigns conducted against intolerance and racial discrimination, in favour of equality between the sexes and against child labour. The Committee notes with interest the training courses on human rights given to law enforcement and judicial personnel, and also the information campaign on the Covenant and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 92. The Committee appreciates the efforts being made by the Portuguese Government to secure from the Government of the People’s Republic of China all possible guarantees regarding respect for the provisions of the Covenant in the territory of Macau after 1999. C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant 93. The Committee notes that Portugal is in a situation of economic transition and, in certain respects, still has the characteristics of a developing country, particularly an illiteracy rate which remains fairly high and an appreciable proportion of the population living below the poverty line. D. Principal subjects of concern 94. The Committee notes with concern that, despite the existing legislative provisions and the efforts of the Commission on Equality in Employment, there is still de facto discrimination against women with regard to the right to equal treatment at work and the right to equal remuneration. 95. The Committee notes that the increase in the minimum wage has not kept pace with economic growth in recent years and is concerned about a tendency for the minimum wage to depreciate. 96. The Committee is also disturbed by the fact that secondary and higher education enrolment rates are still relatively low compared to countries with a stage of development comparable to that of Portugal. Drop-out and failure rates at the secondary and higher levels also remain high. E. Suggestions and recommendations 97. The Committee recommends that the Portuguese authorities should continue their efforts with a view to ensuring de facto equality between men and women, particularly in the fields of access to employment and equal pay for equal work.