E/C.12/FRA/CO/3 page 3 multiple forms of discrimination and encounter difficulties in access to employment, social security and social services, housing, health and education. 14. The Committee remains concerned about the high unemployment rates among women, especially those belonging to racial, ethnic and national minorities, the persistent wage differentials between men and women and the low percentage of women in managerial and high-ranking posts in many areas, both in the public and the private sector, in spite of the various legislative and policy measures adopted by the State party to promote equality between men and women, including the Act on Equal Pay for Men and Women of 23 March 2006. 15. The Committee remains concerned that despite the measures adopted by the State party to increase employment opportunities for young persons, the youth unemployment rate – which decreased in 2007 from 22 to 18 per cent – continues to be considerably higher than the average unemployment rate. 16. The Committee notes with concern that de facto discrimination against persons belonging to racial, ethnic and national minorities – especially those coming from the Maghreb, Turkey and black Africa – continues to be widespread, in spite of the measures adopted by the State party to combat discrimination in the field of employment, including the adoption of the Charter of Diversity in the Enterprise and the use of “discrimination testing” as admissible proof of discriminatory behaviour before courts. 17. The Committee notes with concern that as a result of the extensive use of fixed-term, temporary and part-time employment contracts, a large number of employed persons – especially young people, single parents and persons without professional qualification – do not have job security and are paid the statutory minimum wage (SMIC, or salaire minimum interprofessionnel de croissance), which is not sufficient to enable them and their families to enjoy an adequate standard of living. The Committee is particularly concerned about the over-representation of women in temporary, part-time and low-paid jobs. 18. The Committee notes with concern that legislation aimed at improving access to employment for persons with disabilities (Act No. 102/2005 of 11 February 2005) is not effectively implemented, and that the unemployment rate of persons with disabilities is still three times higher than the average unemployment rate. 19. The Committee notes that, although violence against the spouse or partner may constitute an aggravating circumstance for several crimes referred to in the Criminal Code, domestic violence is still not regarded as a specific offence under the criminal legislation of the State party. The Committee also notes that, despite the efforts made by the State party to raise awareness of this phenomenon, underreporting of domestic violence perpetrated by the spouse or partner continues to be a problem. 20. The Committee remains concerned about the extent of poverty in the State party, as well as about the high number of persons living exclusively on social cash transfers.