CMNT_TITLE

1. The Committee wishes to refer to its observation and further requests the Government to provide clarification on the following point:

Part II (Invalidity benefit), Article 12 of the Convention (in conjunction with Article 32(f)). The Government indicates in its report that, under the Pensions Acts applicable to workers in the public sector and to seafarers (VEL, KVTEL and MEL Acts), invalidity benefits may be refused or reduced, inter alia, if the beneficiary has caused the invalidity through gross negligence. Such benefits may also be refused or reduced on those grounds under the National Pensions Act (KEL), but only until the beneficiary reaches the normal age of retirement, namely 65 years. The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report a few examples illustrating the practical application of the relevant provisions of the above-mentioned legislation.

2. Furthermore, the Committee notes the Government's statement to the effect that a general reform of the survivors' pension scheme is being considered, but that the relevant Bill has not yet been introduced to Parliament. The Committee hopes that the Government will not fail to take account, in carrying out that reform, of the provisions of Part IV of the Convention and of the corresponding provisions of Parts V and VI.