cover all the Federal States, the 77 largest cities in Mexico and the 16 political divisions of the Federal District. 30. Other activities for fostering employment are concerned with co-operatives, the registration, promotion and inspection of which are also the responsibility of the Department of Labour. From 1982 to 1987 under this form of social organization 2,686 co-operatives were established with a total of 117,454 members, so that there are now 8,262 active societies providing work for 620,808 persons. 31. In respect of workers' training a feature in addition to the activities deployed by the Department of Public Education is the encouragement given to the establishment of Joint Training Committees, which under the terms of labour legislation are to be set up in every undertaking. During the period mentioned above, the joint training committees registered with the Department of Labour increased in number by over 58,000 to reach a total of 139,730 by December 1987, with 104,029 plans and programmes providing the benefits of training for 5.1 million workers. 32. The protection of wages and basic purchasing power has also been an outstanding feature of the State's efforts in favour of the workers. In view of the impact of inflationary forces on wages and living standards, up till 1987 there were more frequent revisions of the minimum wages, and wage groups and zones were consolidated.E /1986/3/A dd.l3 page 9 33. Particularly outstanding among efforts to promote consumption was the work carried out by the National Company for Supplying Popular Necessities (CONASUPO) and the Fund for Promoting and Guaranteeing the Workers' Livelihood (FONACOT). Between 1983 and 1987 FONACOT granted over a million loans for a total of 133,030 million pesos. That represented a saving for the workers of 43,852 million pesos, benefitting about 5 million persons. In addition there 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing various initiatives and programs implemented by the Mexican government to improve the economic and social conditions of its citizens, with a focus on employment, wages, and consumer protection. It highlights the growth of cooperatives, workers' training, and the provision of loans and benefits to workers. These efforts seem to be aimed at promoting economic development and social welfare.

**Category**
Employment, Economic development