A/HRC/15/18 that this data is used to formulate Government policy. Data disaggregated by race, age, etc. is collected, inter alia, from employers and schools and made available to the public, different Government departments, universities and scholars. The data indicates that currently 13.9 per cent of employees are of African descent. About 3.3 per cent of African descendent employees are in managerial positions, 7.6 per cent are in middle management and 7.7 per cent are in professional positions. African descendents are statistically overrepresented in labouring and clerical positions. 66. In a meeting with the United States Census Bureau, the members were informed that the Census Bureau does not develop policy; it just collects data to be used by other Government dependencies to formulate policy. The Census Bureau has several areas that collect data on people of African descent as well as an advisory committee on people of African descent (the African American Committee). The American Community Survey is an ongoing survey that provides information on social factors relating to a sample 2.5 per cent of the population. The results of the survey are released yearly. The Decennial Census is far more basic but covers the country’s entire population. The surveys allow the person providing information to self-identify his or her race or ethnicity and have a wide list of categories to select from. Also, multiple race reporting is allowed. 67. According to statistical information for 2009 provided in the Working Group’s meeting with the Department of Labor, people of African descent were more likely than other groups to experience labour market problems. While they made up 11 per cent of the labour force in 2009, they represented 18 per cent of the unemployed and 25 per cent of the long-term unemployed (persons unemployed for 27 weeks or longer). They also made up 25 per cent of the marginally attached (persons who were available for work and had searched for work during the prior 12 months but who were not currently looking for work). Also, at 62.4 per cent, people of African descent are less likely to participate in the labour force (persons 16 years and over who are working or looking for work) than whites (65.8 per cent), Asians (66 per cent) or Hispanics (68 per cent). The unemployment rate for people of African descent 16 years and over has generally been about twice or more that of whites. It was also indicated that people of African descent are unemployed longer than whites, Asians or Hispanics, with African Americans comprising 23 per cent of long-term unemployed workers in 2009. About 16.5 per cent of teenagers (16 to 19 years old) of African descent and 15.3 per cent of Asian teenagers were employed, compared to about 24 per cent of Hispanics and 32 per cent of white teens. Notably, nearly 40 per cent of teenagers of African descent were unemployed in 2009 compared to 30 per cent for Hispanics, 21 per cent for whites and 26 per cent for Asian teenagers. 68. Regarding occupational categories, the information provided indicated that people of African descent and Hispanics were less likely to be employed in management, professional and related occupations than their white or Asian counterparts and that they were more likely to work in service occupations. Median weekly earnings for wage and salary workers who usually work full time were considerably higher for Asians and whites than for people of African descent and Hispanics. Mothers of African descent with children under 18 were more likely to be in the labour force than white, Asian or Hispanic mothers, a trend that has been an historical constant. D. Gender perspective 69. During their meetings, the members identified several issues which were of particular concern to women of African descent, particularly challenges related to health and employment. As mentioned above, in their meeting with the Department of Health and Human Services, the members were informed that there are certain health issues that particularly affect women of African descent, including infant mortality, HIV/AIDS and 17