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The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain any reply to the points raised in its previous comments. It therefore hopes that the Government will supply detailed information with its next report with regard to the following point.

Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention, in conjunction with Article 2, paragraph 1. Sickness insurance coverage for apprentices. Under the terms of Decree No. 85-33 of 9 February 1985 establishing the list of workers deemed equivalent to wage earners for the purposes of social security, as amended by Executive Decree No. 92-274 of 6 July 1992, apprentices receiving monthly pay which is equal to or greater than half of the guaranteed national minimum wage now form part of the list of workers deemed equivalent to wage workers in terms of social security and are thus entitled to all social security benefits. However, those receiving monthly pay which is less than half of the guaranteed minimum wage are not entitled to cash payments guaranteed by the social security system in the event of incapacity for work. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to reconsider this matter in the future and that it will take the necessary steps to enable all apprentices – given that they are paid, and whatever the level of such pay – to be entitled to cash payments in the event of incapacity for work, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. It requests the Government to supply information on all progress made in this respect.

The Committee also requests the Government to supply information on the practical application of the Convention, particularly the statistics required under Part IV of the report form, including the total number of apprentices in relation to those deemed equivalent to wage workers for the purposes of social security coverage.