Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

Maternity Protection Convention, 1919 (No. 3) - Nicaragua (Ratification: 1934)

Article 3(c) of the Convention. The Committee refers to its previous comments and notes that the Government provides no further information in respect of the extension of the social security scheme. The Committee recalls in this regard that the costs of maternity cash benefits for women who are not covered by the social security scheme continue to be provided directly by the employer whereas this provision of the Convention lays down that cost of benefits must be provided either out of public funds or guaranteed by a system of social insurance. The Committee trusts that the Government will make every effort to extend maternity benefits provided for under the social security scheme throughout the whole of the territory in order to cover all female employees protected by the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to indicate any progress achieved in this respect and to provide information, in particular, statistical data in respect of the geographic cover of the social security scheme with regard to maternity benefits.

Moreover, a request regarding certain points is being addressed directly to the Government.