E/C.12/1/Add.25 page 2 B. Positive aspects 3. The Committee recognizes the State party's long tradition of respect for human rights and that the various initiatives it has taken to guarantee these rights more surely have been included as part of this tradition. 4. The Committee notes that the Netherlands has to a considerable extent met its obligations with respect to the protection of the rights set out in the Covenant. 5. The Committee welcomes the programmes and measures adopted in the education system to eliminate discrimination against women and to address social stereotypes of women in the media. 6. The Committee welcomes very warmly the success of the campaign against racial discrimination which can be seen in particular in the fact that incidents of racial violence have disappeared. 7. The Committee also welcomes the Government's programmes to create new jobs and help the unemployed, particularly ethnic minorities, young people and persons over 50 years of age, to become part of or to become reintegrated into the labour force. 8. The Committee welcomes the Government's intention to withdraw the reservation it entered in the Covenant concerning the right to strike. 9. The Committee considers that the Government's policy of providing subsidies for the construction of places of worship for the various religions practised in the Netherlands is of considerable importance both in helping to combat discrimination and in contributing to the realization of the right to take part in cultural life. C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant 10. The Committee notes that the structural adjustment policy adopted by the Government has lowered the standard of living of the lowest income groups. The reduction in services and subsidies previously provided by the State has had adverse effects on wages, health, social security and education. This policy has not undergone any change despite the economic growth recorded over the last four years, but the Committee notes the Government's assertion that it will continue its efforts to alleviate the damage which the policy has caused or may cause to the most vulnerable sectors of society. D. Principal subjects of concern 11. In line with its General Comment 3, the Committee considers that, at a minimum, certain provisions of the Covenant are potentially able to be directly applied both in law and in policy. It therefore cannot accept the assertion by the representative of the State party that “for essentially technical reasons the Covenant ... is not directly applicable”.