In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of the ratified Conventions on social security, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 19, 102, 118, 121, 128 and 130 together.

Article 1(2) of Convention No. 19 and Articles 7 and 8 of Convention No. 118. Payment of benefits abroad and social security agreements. The Committee notes the information on the implementation of the Ibero-American Multilateral Agreement on Social Security.

Article 10(1) of Convention No. 118. Equality of treatment for refugees and stateless persons. The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s indications, there is no relevant legislation ensuring the principle of equality of treatment for refugees and stateless persons. In this context, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted to ensure that the provisions of the Convention are applicable to refugees and stateless persons without any condition of reciprocity, as required by Article 10(1).

Temporary exceptions specified when ratifying Conventions Nos 102, 121, 128 and 130 in 1977. The Committee notes that the Government availed itself, at the time of ratification, of the possibility envisaged in these instruments of temporarily restricting the scope of the persons protected and their entitlement to benefits. The Committee recalls that these exceptions are envisaged for countries whose economy and medical facilities are insufficiently developed and that, in light of their temporary nature, they require a periodic assessment of the reasons that justify such exceptions. Considering the time that has elapsed since the ratification of these Conventions, the Committee requests the Government to provide information, for each temporary exception, on the reason that justifies its maintenance or the intention of renouncing it as from a specific data.

Conventions Nos 102, 121, 128 and 130. Scope of coverage and level of benefits. The Committee recalls that the fact that the Government has availed itself of the temporary exceptions referred to above does not affect its obligation to provide information on compliance with the provisions of these instruments. With a view to being able to assess correctly the level of compliance in relation to coverage and the level of benefits, the Committee requests the Government to provide, for each of the following Articles, the statistical data in the format required by the report form for each instrument:

Convention No. 102.

Part II. Medical care. Article 9 (in conjunction with Article 76). Persons protected.

Part VII. Family benefit. Articles 41 (in conjunction with Article 76), 42 and 44. Persons protected and total value of the benefits granted.

Convention No. 121.

Articles 4, 14 and 18 (in conjunction with Article 19 or 20). Persons protected and rate of the benefit.

Convention No. 128.

Articles 9, 10, 16, 17, 22 and 23 (in conjunction with Article 26, 27 or 28). Persons protected and rate of the benefit.

Convention No. 130.

Articles 19 and 21 (in conjunction with Article 22 or 23). Persons protected and rate of the benefit.

The Committee reminds the Government that it can have recourse to the technical assistance of the Office in relation to coverage and the rate of benefits for each of the contingencies covered.