CMNT_TITLE

Repetition

Establishment of a compulsory invalidity insurance scheme. With reference to its observation relating to the Sickness Insurance (Industry) Convention, 1927 (No. 24), the Committee recalls that the national social protection system has been undergoing restructuring for a number of years, which involves the merger of various insurance funds in the interests of more efficient management. In this context, although the social protection system has no specific branch for invalidity benefits, the Government indicates that Act No. 154/AN/02/4ème-L of 31 January 2002 codifying the operation of the Social Protection Institute (OPS) and the general retirement scheme for salaried employees, contains several provisions that authorize workers aged 50 years and over who are affected by a permanent physical or mental impairment to claim an early retirement pension when they have accrued a minimum of 240 contribution months (section 60 ff.). The Committee emphasizes that, even though it is justified in the context of early retirement, the fixing of a minimum age at which a person can receive invalidity benefit, as set forth by Act No. 154, is in breach of Article 4 of Convention No. 37 and the Invalidity Insurance (Agriculture) Convention, 1933 (No. 38). Moreover, the length of the qualifying period for entitlement to invalidity benefit must not, according to Article 5(2) of Conventions Nos 37 and 38, exceed 60 contribution months. In view of the failure of these provisions to give effect to the main requirements of Conventions Nos 37 and 38, the Committee requests the Government to carry out the feasibility studies needed to establish an invalidity insurance scheme.