E/C.12/1993/16 page 2 B. Positive aspects 3. The Committee welcomes the efforts made by the State party to carry out a number of programmes and reforms designed to solve the serious economic, social or cultural problems being encountered by the country. It notes the many activities being carried out by the Mexican Human Rights Commission. 4. The Committee notes the adoption of the National Development Plan 1989-1994 (NDP) which aims inter alia at facilitating progress in the solution of the country’s unemployment problem as well as the Solidarity Programme (PRONASOL), the objective of which is to enhance the opportunities of the socially deprived for earning a livelihood. The Committee also welcomes the statement of the Government that the efforts are being made in assisting agricultural workers to organize with the assistance of the Agricultural Attorney’s Office. C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant 5. The Committee notes that the Government should continue to tackle the economic and social difficulties that are ingrained in the country and characterized by considerable foreign indebtedness, the inadequacy of budgetary resources earmarked for essential social services and the unequal distribution of national wealth. These difficulties severely affect the most vulnerable segments of society, and in particular children, persons living below the poverty threshold and those belonging to minority groups, such as the many indigenous peoples; they are relevant to the departure of many Mexican migrant workers abroad. D. Principal subjects of concern 6. The Committee finds it disturbing that a particularly large number of persons live in extreme poverty. In this connection it notes with concern the decline in the purchasing power of the minimum wage during recent years since it is no longer adequate to enable people to live above the poverty line. 7. Another source of concern is the situation of many children, namely, abandoned children, street children or children in extremely difficult circumstances, who are unable to enjoy the economic, social and cultural rights set out in the Covenant and who are particularly vulnerable to criminality, drug addiction and sexual exploitation. A very large percentage of children (34 per cent), concentrated in particular in areas with a large Indian population, appear to have left school without even having been able to complete their primary education and are therefore in a situation that is extremely conducive to various forms of exploitation. 8. The Committee notes with concern the economic, social and cultural situation of many indigenous groups who suffer from the difficult conditions brought about by the economic situation and by the imbalance of wealth in the country. It notes the difficulties being experienced by these groups in