has been an extension of the range of goods and services so as to finance the purchase of school requisites and uniforms and of perishable goods and free funeral arrangements. An administrative reorganization has also been carried out which is enabling the operation of FONACOT's services to be modernized. 34. Finally, in regard to occupational health and safety and industrial hygiene a prominent feature has been the work carried out by the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and the Institute of Social Security and Social Services for State Employees. Likewise, to protect the health of the workers and prevent accidents in the workplace, encouragement has been given, in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Labour Act, to the establishment of joint standing committees on work safety and hygiene, whose task it is to investigate accidents at work, to propose preventive measures for improving working conditions and to ensure that they are carried out. The Department of Labour and Social Insurance has drawn up a computerized register of these committees. The niomber on the register increased from 31,000 to 74,441 between 1983 and 1987; they serve more than 3.1 million workers. 35. Thus the Federal Government has continued to contribute to improving social welfare, despite facing the most serious economic crisis since 1929. Nevertheless, it is essential to continue the process of structural change designed to re-establish the foundations for balanced and sustained growth that will allow the <3overnment to allot sufficient resources to provide better living conditions for the population.E/1986/3/A dd.l3 page 10 E /1986/3/A dd.l3 page 11 I. ARTICLE 10 A. Protection of the family 36. The family is the basic xmit of Mexican society. The living conditions of the family unit and an environment propitious to the development of its members have a decisive influence on social life. Bearing this in 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the initiatives taken by the Federal Government of Mexico to improve the social welfare of its citizens, including measures related to education, employment, and healthcare. The text also touches upon the economic crisis faced by the country and the need for structural change to promote balanced and sustained growth.

**Category**
Employment, Education, Health