Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its reports in reply to its previous comments, and to the comments made by the Inter-Union Assembly of Workers - National Convention of Workers (PIT-CNT) concerning the application of the Convention. It wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the following point.

Article 1 of the Convention. The Committee notes, from the comments made by the PIT-CNT that, following the adoption of Act No. 17,556 of 18 September 2002, women workers in the private sector covered by para-public social security institutions no longer benefit from medical coverage in relation to medical care provided during pregnancy and confinement, or cash benefits during maternity leave. The workers’ organization indicates that the women workers concerned are essentially employed in insurance enterprises, administrative companies, savings and credit cooperatives and notarial studies. The Committee notes in this respect the Government’s statement that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security sought information from the Social Insurance Bank concerning the number and category of workers who, following the adoption of the above text, have ceased to be covered by maternity benefits. It also notes the Government’s indication that it requested information from para-public funds on the effect of the above Act on their beneficiaries and that it will inform the Committee as soon as possible of the replies received from these institutions. The Committee would therefore be grateful if the Government would indicate in its next report the situation of women workers covered by para-public funds with regard to all the rights guaranteed by the Convention and, if necessary, indicate the measures envisaged to secure for these workers the maternity protection afforded by the Convention.

The Committee is also raising certain other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.