In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of ratified Conventions on social security, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 19 (equality of treatment), 102 (minimum standards) and 121 (employment injury benefits) together.

Article 1(2) of Convention No. 19. Payment of compensation abroad. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to bring its national legislation and practice into full compliance with the regime of automatic reciprocity in granting equality of treatment to foreign workers and their dependants in case of residence abroad. In its reply, the Government indicates that the regime of automatic reciprocity requires the conclusion of bilateral social security agreements and administrative arrangements. The Committee notes in this regard that such bilateral agreements have been concluded with Mali, Mauritania and France. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether any bilateral social security agreements or administrative arrangements giving effect to Article 1(2) of the Convention have been concluded with other Members, which have ratified the Convention, and particularly with Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau and Morocco.

Part VII (Family benefit). Article 44 of Convention No. 102. Total value of family benefits. The Committee requests the Government to provide statistical data on total value of family benefits.

Part XIII (Common provisions). Article 72. General responsibility of the Member for the proper administration of social security institutions and services. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to indicate any measures taken or envisaged to curb contribution evasion and fraud in social security. The Committee takes note of various measures indicated by the Government, which aim at the reduction of the social security evasion rate in the Social Insurance Institute, which is still estimated at 50 per cent. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the social security evasion rate and on the measures taken or considered to tackle the issue of social security evasion and fraud.

Article 4 of Convention No. 121. Persons protected. With respect to the persons protected by the employment injury system, the Government indicates that employees are covered when their employers are registered in the employment injury system and social insurance contributions are paid. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether employment injury benefits are paid by the Social Security Fund to injured workers despite failure by their employers to register them or to pay contributions.

Article 13. Replacement rate of cash benefits in case of temporary incapacity for work. The Committee requests the Government to provide statistical data on the replacement rate of cash benefits in case of temporary incapacity for work in accordance with Titles I–V of the report form for the Convention.

Article 21. Adjustment of benefits. The Committee requests the Government to provide statistical data on adjustment of benefits in accordance with the report form for the Convention.