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1. Article 8 of the Convention. In reply to the Committee's earlier comments, the Government states that the draft text to supplement the list of occupational diseases in the schedule to Ordinance No. 66-370 of 29 June 1966, which was prepared by the Social Security Reform Commission, will be submitted to the National Labour Board for examination before being transmitted to the competent authorities for enactment. The Committee takes note of this information. In view of the fact that the Committee has been commenting on the question of amending the list of occupational diseases for 20 years, it hopes that the above draft will be adopted shortly and that the list will contain the following additions: (a) diseases caused by the toxic halogen derivatives of hydrocarbons of the aliphatic series; (b) diseases caused by benzene or its toxic homologues, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.

2. Articles 13, 14 and 18 (in conjunction with Articles 19 and 20). In its report, the Government indicates that the maximum monthly remuneration that is subject to contribution for the pensions and occupational risks branches has increased from 2,000 zaires to 30,000 zaires. It also indicates that the Executive Council is in the process of examining draft legislation on the national employment and wage policy (adopted by the 25th Session of the National Labour Council, held from 17 to 22 July 1989), and that the text will fix a new guaranteed inter-occupational minimum wage which will affect the level of benefits. The Committee notes this information with interest. It also notes the proposals to increase the daily compensation rate for temporary incapacity. It notes, however, that the statistics provided by the Government in its report do not permit an appraisal of how effect is given to the above Articles of the Convention. Consequently, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate in its next report whether it intends to have recourse to Article 19 or to Article 20 in comparing the amount of periodical benefits provided for in the national legislation with the minimum level prescribed by the Convention. It also asks the Government to provide the statistical information required by the report form under Articles 19 or 20 of the Convention. If the Government intends to have recourse to Article 19, it is asked, in particular, to state the maximum amount of periodical benefits payable in the event of temporary incapacity, total permanent incapacity and death of the breadwinner, and the wage of a skilled manual male employee chosen in accordance with paragraph 6 or paragraph 7 of Article 19. If the Government intends to have recourse to Article 20, it is asked to indicate the minimum amount of periodical benefits payable for each of the three contingencies mentioned above, and the amount of the wage of an ordinary adult male labourer chosen in accordance with paragraph 4 or paragraph 5 of Article 20. Please indicate also the amount of family allowance, if any, payable during employment and during the contingency.

3. Articles 23 and 24, paragraph 2. The Committee notes that the strengthening and extension of the regional social security committees responsible for ruling on appeals by insured persons were discussed during the work on social security reform at the 22nd Session of the National Labour Council. It also notes the Government's statement that the enactment of the new Social Security Code should make it possible to improve the operation of the social security system, in general, and of the regional committees. The Committee therefore asks the Government to provide detailed information on any progress made in the practical operation of the social security system and more particularly the regional committees, and to provide copies of the recommendations adopted in this connection by the National Labour Board. Furthermore, in connection with its previous comments, it again asks the Government to indicate whether the two regional committees still to be set up have now been constituted.

4. Article 21. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the application of Article 21 of the Convention and supply the statistics required (under this Article) by the report form adopted by the Governing Body, concerning the readjustment of currently payable periodical benefits in the event of permanent incapacity and death of the breadwinner as a result of occupational injury.

5. Lastly, the Committee hopes that the new Social Security Code to which the Government referred in its report will enable full effect to be given to the Convention once it has been adopted; it asks the Government to provide a copy of it as soon as it has been adopted.