Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102) - Mauritania (Ratification: 1968)

The Committee notes that new comments have been received from the Free Confederation of Mauritanian Workers (CLTM) reporting the same inadequacies in the social security scheme as those identified earlier, namely: very limited coverage of the system, low rate of benefits, outdated legislative framework, administrative obstacles to the compilation of benefits files, delay in implementing the findings of the actuarial studies conducted to put the social security finances in order, joint management scheme compromised by unilateral action on the part of the Executive. The Committee recalls that in 2011, the General Confederation of Workers of Mauritania (CGTM) and the association of retired members of the National Social Security Fund already objected that the Government appoints most members of the Fund deliberative body, enabling it to determine policy without leaving the workers so much as a blocking minority; that it appropriates the assets of the pension funds in order to cover its needs; that social fraud is practised by most employers and workers are hired through shell companies; that the services to supervise the social welfare institutions are inoperative; and that old-age pension entitlements determined before 2005 are low, not having been adequately adjusted. The CGTM accordingly asked the Government promptly to convene a meeting with the social partners and undertake a complete overhaul of the National Social Security Fund without delay so as to ensure participatory management, protection of social security funds from mismanagement and sustainable funding for social security.

The Committee is deeply concerned at the many communications from trade unions reporting a lack of sound governance of Mauritania’s social protection system. The Committee regrets that the Government has not sent its report responding to these allegations, or to the Committee’s previous comments. In these circumstances, the Committee is bound to remind the Government of its overall and primary responsibility, under Articles 71 and 72 of the Convention, to ensure the sustainability of the social security system, inter alia, through joint management that is transparent and based on reliable actuarial data, as well as an inspection system and sufficiently dissuasive sanctions. The Committee accordingly asks the Government to report without delay on the action it intends to take on the requests made by the abovementioned organizations.