E/C.12/1/Add.8 page 3 C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant 9. The Committee notes that the economic recession facing Finland and the policies adopted to meet the convergence criteria for participating in the European Economic and Monetary Union have had significant consequences for the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights by the Finnish population as a whole, and by vulnerable social groups in particular. In this regard, the Committee notes that the recent budgetary cuts in social expenditure, as well as economic restructuring and the decentralization of social service arrangements are factors which may affect the full implementation of the provisions of the Covenant. However, the Committee notes the Government’s view that European Union membership has been a useful instrument towards fulfilling its economic policy goals, including those aimed at fighting unemployment. D. Principal subjects of concern 10. The Committee notes that, although the provisions of the Covenant may be directly invoked before the courts or referred to by the courts, this has not yet been the case. In this respect, the Committee expresses concern that lawyers and judges may not be sufficiently aware of the rights enshrined in the Covenant. 11. The Committee is concerned that, although equality between men and women is established in the law, it is not fully achieved in practice, in particular in the field of equal remuneration, and that, in general, women continue to encounter more obstacles than men in advancing to higher professional positions. 12. While it notes with satisfaction the recent decrease in the percentage of the population who are unemployed, the Committee is still concerned that the level of unemployment remains high, especially among young people, immigrants and refugees. 13. Although it notes that collective agreements in some sectors of professional activity contain provisions for the determination of minimum wages, the Committee is concerned that no minimum wage is guaranteed by law.