adequate housing, healthcare, social protection (social insurance and social benefits), social welfare services, education and employment (including inclusion in the labour market with both public and private employers, and access to business and other self-employment opportunities).94 In this context, States should ensure that everyone, regardless of ethnic origin, enjoys equal opportunities to participate in and contribute to the economy and benefit from the resources and shared wealth of the country. In particular, States should: − Effectively combat discrimination and promote equal opportunities and equal treatment for minorities with regard to employment in the private and public sectors for the full range of the employment cycle by putting legislation, institutions and policies in place; − Ensure that equal access to education, healthcare, housing and public goods and services is not hampered in law and in fact due to ethnic or national origin, language, religion or belief; − Implement strategies and targeted policies to promote labour-market inclusion of minority groups with disproportionally low participation. Such policies should be evidence-based, with an assessment of the economic needs and interests of different communities, including minorities, in the context of wider labourmarket dynamics. Strategies and policies should be designed, implemented and monitored for effectiveness in regular consultation with the representatives of the persons or groups concerned. Where needed, specific but not exclusive measures to overcome barriers to employment should be put in place for particularly disadvantaged groups.95 Examples of such measures include onthe-job training programmes or workplace-based language instruction. While targeting underrepresented minorities, such measures should not be limited to participation by specific groups but be open to all who may need such support; − Introduce specific measures, where appropriate, including specialized training, to better prepare the staff of public services and welfare institutions to provide adequate responses to the needs of persons belonging to minorities;96 − Remove undue obstacles and excessive regulations hindering economic activities specific to certain minority groups and take appropriate measures, where relevant, to create conditions to sustain traditional occupations under threat, taking traditional technologies, culture and lifestyles into account; 94 95 96 As provided, inter alia, by the Council of Europe’s European Social Charter, 1961; the Revised European Social Charter, 1996; and Commentary on Participation, paragraph 24. Also see Commentary on Participation, paragraphs 47–49. Commentary on Participation, paragraph 38. 48 Guidelines on Integration of Diverse Societies