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Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention, in conjunction with Article 2, paragraph 1. Sickness insurance coverage for apprentices. As the legislation stands at present, 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 (Decree No. 85-33 of 9 February 1985 establishing the list of workers deemed equivalent to wage workers for social security purposes, as amended by Executive Decree No. 92-274 of 6 July 1992). 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 Government indicates in its last report that the national legislation has not been amended. Even though the question of extending social security benefits to apprentices regardless of their level of pay is not currently on the agenda, the Government states that it will take the necessary measures in this field as soon as conditions permit.

The Committee therefore requests the Government to keep the Office informed of all progress made on the subject of sickness insurance coverage for apprentices so that they will be entitled to cash payments in the event of incapacity for work, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. Moreover, the Committee repeats its request to 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.