Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, 1951 and Convention relating to the Status of stateless Persons

Year: 1954

Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, 1951 and Convention relating to the Status of stateless Persons

Article 24 of both instruments stipulates:

  • The Contracting States shall accord to refugees [stateless persons] lawfully staying in their territory the same treatment as is accorded to nationals in respect of the following matters: …(b) Social security (legal provisions in respect of employment injury, occupational diseases, maternity, sickness, disability, old age, death, unemployment, family responsibilities, and any other contingency which, according to national laws or regulations, is covered by a social security scheme), subject to the following limitations: There may be appropriate arrangements for the maintenance of acquired rights and rights in course of acquisition; National laws or regulations of the country of residence may prescribe special arrangements concerning benefits or portions of benefits which are payable wholly out of public funds, and concerning allowances paid to persons who do not fulfil the contribution conditions prescribed for the award of a normal pension. The right to compensation for the death of a refugee [stateless person] resulting from employment injury or from occupational disease shall not be affected by the fact that the residence of the beneficiary is outside the territory of the Contracting State. The Contracting States shall extend to refugees [stateless persons] the benefit of agreements concluded between them, or which may be concluded between them in the future, concerning the maintenance of acquired rights and rights in the process of acquisition in regard to social security, subject only to the conditions which apply to nationals of the States signatory to the agreements in question.
Social Protection and Human Rights