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1. Article 5 of the Convention. In reply to the Committee's previous comments, the Government indicates that the provision of invalidity and old-age benefits and pensions in respect of employment accidents and occupational diseases, as well as death allowances are provided automatically without any restrictions, even in the absence of bilateral agreements, both to nationals of Zaire and nationals of other States Members in the event of beneficiaries being resident abroad. However, regarding the transfer of benefits paid into an account in Zaire, two different cases should be distinguished: (a) when the beneficiary, who is resident abroad, benefited from the transfer of remuneration during his period of employment in Zaire; benefits awarded to such persons will also be transferred abroad upon simple request by the National Bank of Zaire; (b) when the remuneration of the beneficiary was not transferrable abroad during the period of employment in Zaire; in these cases, the Bank of Zaire may, after a special request has been made by the beneficiary or a delegate of the beneficiary, or by the bank in which the account has been opened, give special authorisation for the transfer of benefits.

The Committee takes note with interest of this information and of the circular concerning the procedures for the application of the currency arrangement concluded between the central banks of the member States of the Economic Community of the Countries of the Great Lakes (CEPGL). It requests the Government to supply statistical information on any payment of benefits abroad and, where appropriate, of any law or regulation that is in force regarding the exchange and transfer of funds abroad.

2. Articles 7 and 8. The Committee notes that no new social security agreements have been concluded with other States parties to the Convention. It requests the Government to continue supplying information on any new agreement concluded with States parties to the Convention in order to guarantee the maintenance of acquired rights and rights in course of acquisition as provided for in the Convention.

3. The Committee notes the information on the number of foreign workers employed in private and semi-state-owned enterprises in Zaire. It also notes with interest that the Government will be able to supply in its next report more detailed data on the number and nationality of foreign workers employed in Zaire following the evaluation of the data compiled by the President's Study Service.