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Article 3(c) of the Convention. In reply to the Committee's previous comments, the Government indicates that, owing to the serious economic crisis prevailing in the country and, in particular, to the precarious financial situation of the Social Insurance Fund, it is not possible for the time being to envisage a reform of the Act respecting the Social Insurance Fund or to use public funds in order to extend maternity benefits, as required by Article 3(c) of the Convention.

The Committee takes note of this information. While appreciating fully the problems, particularly the economic difficulties, facing the country, the Committee expresses the hope that the Government will do its utmost to examine the means of providing maternity cash benefits or any other financial assistance to women employees who do not fulfil the conditions prescribed by the insurance with regard to the qualifying period, in accordance with this provision of the Convention. It wishes to remind the Government that this objective could be attained by compensating the above employees, for example through an assistance scheme. It asks the Government to indicate the progress made in this respect in its next report.