CMNT_TITLE

The Committee takes note of the Government's report. It notes with regret that the Government merely states that the observations of the Committee of Experts do not require any amendment to the legislation in force. The Committee recalls that since 1982 it has been drawing the Government's attention to the need to provide information on the way in which effect is given to Part V, Article 29, of the Convention (Review of cash benefits currently payable) which lays down that the rates of cash benefits currently payable pursuant to Article 10 (invalidity benefit), Article 17 (old-age benefit) and Article 23 (survivors' benefit) shall be reviewed following substantial changes in the general level of earnings or substantial changes in the cost of living. In this connection, the Committee also refers to the general observations that it made in 1989, concerning Conventions Nos. 102 and 128, in which it considered that, given the effects of inflation on the general level of earnings and increases in the cost of living, revision of the amount of long-term benefits should receive the Government's particular attention, in particular as concerns the general economic climate of today. The Committee therefore asks the Government to take all possible steps to ensure the application of Article 29 and to supply the statistical data requested under this Article of the Convention in the report form adopted by the Governing Body.

The Committee trusts that the Government's next report will also contain a detailed reply to the questions that it has been raising for many years and to which it refers in a request addressed directly to the Government.

The Committee would suggest that the Government might wish to request technical assistance from the ILO.