CMNT_TITLE

The Committee takes note of the Government's report, which is identical to the previous report, for the period ending 1 September 1997. It therefore feels compelled to reiterate its previous observation, which read as follows:

The Committee recalls that it is ensuring the follow-up to the recommendations made in 1991 by the Committee established to examine the representation made by the National Confederation of Workers of Senegal (CNTS), under article 24 of the ILO Constitution, alleging failure to apply the Convention, in particular to black Mauritanian workers of Senegalese origin whose employment was adversely affected following the conflict with Senegal in 1989. The Committee is therefore monitoring whether appropriate measures are implemented to compensate for the harm done to the Mauritanian nationals who were subjected to discrimination, by reintegrating such persons into their employment and re-establishing their rights in this area. The Committee is also kept informed of the progress made in the implementation of the decisions adopted in 1993 by the Joint Mauritanian-Senegalese Committee in respect of retirement pensions and wage arrears. The Committee notes with interest that a number of the workers affected by the events of 1989 have recovered their rights in respect of retirement pensions. Since the Government has not replied to the other points raised in its previous observation, the Committee reiterates that it would like the Government to provide: (a) statistics on the number of workers, in particular public servants and state employees, who have been reinstated in their jobs as part of the government programme for the occupational reintegration of the workers who fell victim to the events of 1989; (b) information on any payments of wage arrears made to these workers; and (c) information on the administrative and legal appeals lodged by workers who consider that they suffered prejudice in these areas and, where appropriate, copies of the decisions taken.

The Committee is addressing a direct request to the Government on other points.