Equality of Treatment (Social Security) Convention, 1962 (No. 118) - Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (Ratification: 1977)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

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. 

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Articles 2(1)(i) and (2), and 6 of the Convention. Family allowances. Referring to its previous observation, the Committee understands that the reintroduction of a family benefit scheme, in accordance with the abovementioned Articles of the Convention, is still pending. In view of the fact that Bolivia has accepted Part VII (Family benefit) of the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), the Committee will include the analysis of this matter in its future comments concerning Convention No. 102.

Articles 7 and 8. Social security agreements ensuring the maintenance of acquired rights and rights in course of acquisition. As regards the entry into force on 1 May 2011 of the Ibero-American Multilateral Social Security Agreement, the Committee notes the Government’s indications that implementation of the Agreement does not require any amendments to the national legislation. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the operation of the Ibero-American Agreement, indicating in particular the type and amount of benefits which have been transferred abroad by the Bolivian social security system.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Articles 2(1)(i) and (2), and 6 of the Convention. Family allowances. Referring to its previous observation, the Committee notes that the new Political Constitution of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, adopted on 7 February 2009, provides that the social security scheme will include the branch of family allowances and other social benefits. The Government states that it envisages adopting new legislation that will be fully in accordance with all the rights recognized by the new Constitution, including in the area of social security. The Committee hopes that the measures taken by the Government to comply with the new Constitution will enable it to reintroduce a family benefit scheme guaranteeing the granting of family allowances both to its own nationals and to the nationals of any other Member which has accepted the obligations of this Convention for that branch, in respect of children who reside in the territory of any such Member, in accordance with Article 6 of the Convention.

Articles 7 and 8. Social security agreements ensuring the maintenance of acquired rights and rights in course of acquisition. The Committee notes with interest the entry into force on 1 May 2011 of the Multilateral Ibero–American Social Security Convention, signed on 10 November 2007 by 15 countries: Argentina, Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Under Article 2 of this Convention, it applies to any person who is subject or has been subject to the legislation of one or several States parties, as well as to their families and dependants. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the ratification of this Convention and of its implementing agreement required amendments to the national legislation.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Articles 7 and 8 of the Convention. The Committee again asks the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on any bilateral or multilateral social security agreements that the Government may conclude with other States bound by the Convention with a view to ensuring the maintenance of acquired rights and rights in the course of acquisition recognized under their legislation.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation, which read as follows:

Article 2, paragraphs 1(i) and 2, and Article 6 of the Convention. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments relating to section 51 of Supreme Decree No. 22578 of 13 August 1990, the Government indicates that under the terms of the Bolivian legislation, family allowances include the prenatal allowance, the birth allowance, the nursing allowance and the funeral allowance. The Committee notes this information. It is however bound to draw the Government’s attention to the fact that these allowances do not fully respond to the concept of family benefit and family allowances within the meaning of the above Articles of the Convention. It also recalls that, in accordance with Article 40 read in conjunction with Article 1(e) of Convention No. 102, of which Part VII (Family benefit) was accepted by Bolivia when ratifying that Convention, the contingency covered is responsibility for the maintenance of children, with the term “child” meaning a child under school-leaving age or under 15 years of age. In these conditions, the Committee once again expresses the hope that the Government will be able to re-examine the situation with a view to re-establishing a scheme of family benefit which complies with Part VII of Convention No. 102, and that, in doing so, full account will be taken of Convention No. 118, and particular of Article 6, which specifies that each Member, which, like Bolivia, has accepted the obligations of the Convention in respect of family benefit, shall guarantee the grant of family allowances both to its own nationals and to the nationals of any other Member which has accepted the obligations of the Convention for that branch, in respect of children who reside on the territory of any such Member, under conditions and within limits to be agreed upon by the Members concerned. The Committee once again wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the possibility of having recourse to the technical assistance of the Office.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

Articles 7 and 8 of the Convention. The Committee again asks the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on any bilateral or multilateral social security agreements that the Government may conclude with other States bound by the Convention with a view to ensuring the maintenance of acquired rights and rights in the course of acquisition recognized under their legislation.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

Article 2, paragraphs 1(i) and 2, and Article 6 of the Convention. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments relating to section 51 of Supreme Decree No. 22578 of 13 August 1990, the Government indicates that under the terms of the Bolivian legislation, family allowances include the prenatal allowance, the birth allowance, the nursing allowance and the funeral allowance. The Committee notes this information. It is however bound to draw the Government’s attention to the fact that these allowances do not fully respond to the concept of family benefit and family allowances within the meaning of the above Articles of the Convention. It also recalls that, in accordance with Article 40 read in conjunction with Article 1(e) of Convention No. 102, of which Part VII (Family benefit) was accepted by Bolivia when ratifying that Convention, the contingency covered is responsibility for the maintenance of children, with the term "child" meaning a child under school-leaving age or under 15 years of age. In these conditions, the Committee once again expresses the hope that the Government will be able to re-examine the situation with a view to re-establishing a scheme of family benefit which complies with Part VII of Convention No. 102, and that, in doing so, full account will be taken of Convention No. 118, and particularly of Article 6, which specifies that each Member, which, like Bolivia, has accepted the obligations of the Convention in respect of family benefit, shall guarantee the grant of family allowances both to its own nationals and to the nationals of any other Member which  has accepted the obligations of the Convention for that branch, in respect of children who reside on the territory of any such Member, under conditions and within limits to be agreed upon by the Members concerned. The Committee once again wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the possibility of having recourse to the technical assistance of the Office.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Articles 7 and 11 of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply detailed information in its future reports on any bilateral or multilateral social security agreements that the Government may conclude with a view to the maintenance of the acquired rights and rights in course of acquisition recognized under its legislation.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

Article 6 of the Convention (Payment of family allowances in respect of children resident abroad). The Committee notes from the information supplied by the Government in its report as also from section 51 of Supreme Decree No. 22578 of 13 August 1990, that the Bolivian social security scheme no longer provides for the payment of family allowances as contemplated under Article 6 of Convention No. 118 and Article 42 of Convention 102 of which it accepted Part VII (Family benefit) when it ratified the Convention. The Committee therefore expresses the hope that the Government will be able to re-examine the situation with a view to re-establishing a scheme of family benefits which complies with Part VII of Convention No. 102 and that on that occasion full account will be taken of Article 6 of Convention No. 118, which specifies that each Member which like Bolivia has accepted the obligations of the Convention in respect of family benefit shall guarantee the grant of family allowances both to its own nationals and to the nationals of any other Member which has accepted the obligations of the Convention for that branch, in respect of children who reside on the territory of any such Member, under conditions and within limits to be agreed upon by the Members concerned.

The Committee draws the Government's attention to the availability of technical assistance of the Office.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Articles 7 and 11 of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply detailed information in its future reports on any bilateral or multilateral social security agreements that the Government may conclude with a view to the maintenance of the acquired rights and rights in course of acquisition recognized under its legislation.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

Article 6 of the Convention (Payment of family allowances in respect of children resident abroad). The Committee notes from the information supplied by the Government in its report as also from section 51 of Supreme Decree No. 22578 of 13 August 1990, that the Bolivian social security scheme no longer provides for the payment of family allowances as contemplated under Article 6 of Convention No. 118 and Article 42 of Convention 102 of which it accepted Part VII (Family benefit) when it ratified the Convention. The Committee therefore expresses the hope that the Government will be able to re-examine the situation with a view to re-establishing a scheme of family benefits which complies with Part VII of Convention No. 102 and that on that occasion full account will be taken of Article 6 of Convention No. 118, which specifies that each Member which like Bolivia has accepted the obligations of the Convention in respect of family benefit shall guarantee the grant of family allowances both to its own nationals and to the nationals of any other Member which has accepted the obligations of the Convention for that branch, in respect of children who reside on the territory of any such Member, under conditions and within limits to be agreed upon by the Members concerned.

The Committee draws the Government's attention to the availability of technical assistance of the Office.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

Articles 7 and 11 of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply detailed information in its future reports on any bilateral or multilateral social security agreements that the Government may conclude with a view to the maintenance of the acquired rights and rights in course of acquisition recognized under its legislation.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

Article 6 of the Convention (Payment of family allowances in respect of children resident abroad). The Committee notes from the information supplied by the Government in its report as also from section 51 of Supreme Decree No. 22-578 of 13 August 1990, that the Bolivian social security scheme no longer provides for the payment of family allowances as contemplated under Article 6 of Convention No. 118 and Article 42 of Convention 102 of which it accepted Part VII (Family benefit) when it ratified the Convention. The Committee therefore expresses the hope that the Government will be able to re-examine the situation with a view to re-establishing a scheme of family benefits which complies with Part VII of Convention No. 102 and that on that occasion full account will be taken of Article 6 of Convention No. 118, which specifies that each Member which like Bolivia has accepted the obligations of the Convention in respect of family benefit shall guarantee the grant of family allowances both to its own nationals and to the nationals of any other Member which has accepted the obligations of the Convention for that branch, in respect of children who reside on the territory of any such Member, under conditions and within limits to be agreed upon by the Members concerned.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1988, published 75th ILC session (1988)

1. Article 6 of the Convention (grant of family allowances in respect of children resident abroad). The Committee notes with interest that family allowances in respect of children resident abroad are paid by the employer to the father or mother working and residing in Bolivia. The Committee hopes that the Government will give statutory effect to this practice in accordance with the Convention.

2. Articles 7 and 11. The Committee notes that the rights acquired under the Bolivian social security scheme continue to apply even if the worker leaves the country. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any other measures adopted with a view to participating with other Members concerned in a scheme for the maintenance of acquired rights and rights in course of acquisition.

3. The Committee again requests the Government to provide information on the practical effect given to the Convention, in accordance with Point V of the report form adopted by the Governing Body.