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With reference to the comments which it has been making for a number of years, the Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received for the fourth consecutive time. It recalls that the Government's last report did not contain the information which has been requested on several occasions on the manner in which effect is given to Part V, Article 29 of the Convention (Review of cash benefits currently payable), which provides 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 respect, the Committee recalls its general observations made in 1989 with respect to Conventions Nos. 102 and 128, in which it considered, in particular, that, given the effects of inflation on the general level of earnings and increases in the cost of living, the revision of the level of long-term benefits should receive the Government's particular attention. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to make every effort to ensure the application of Article 29 and to supply the statistics called for under this Article of the Convention in the report form adopted by the Governing Body.

The Committee hopes that the Government's next report will also contain a detailed reply to the questions which it has been raising for many years and which it is recalling in a request addressed directly to the Government. The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.