E/C.12/SRB/CO/2 The Committee reiterates its recommendation that the State party increase the amount of the unemployment benefit in order to ensure an adequate standard of living for unemployed workers and their families, and requests it to provide information on the extent of the unemployment benefit coverage, disaggregated by, inter alia, residency status and national or ethnic origin. Pensions for refugees and internally displaced persons 23. The Committee is concerned that large numbers of refugees from Croatia and internally displaced persons from Kosovo continue to be deprived of their right to pensions which have been overdue and unpaid for years (art. 9). The Committee strongly urges the State party to pursue bilateral negotiations regarding the payment of pensions to refugees from Croatia residing in Serbia and to arrange for documentation substitution for the payment of pensions to internally displaced persons from Kosovo who could not present their work booklets. Social security 24. The Committee regrets the lack of information on whether the social assistance benefits are periodically adjusted to enable all disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and families to enjoy an adequate standard of living (arts. 9 and 11). The Committee calls upon the State party to: (a) Increase the social assistance benefits, taking into account the Committee’s general comment No. 19 (2007) on the right to social security, in order to assist all concerned individuals and families throughout the State party, including persons with disabilities, older persons, children, low-income families and those in a situation of long-term unemployment, to enjoy an adequate standard of living; (b) Consider the introduction of a minimum-income benefit that would bring together all the existing social assistance benefits in order to ensure an adequate standard of living for all, in particular disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and families; (c) Prevent any unjustified interruptions in the allocation of social security benefits, such as benefits to those who are unable to work, which are recognized only for a period of up to nine months per calendar year. Trafficking in persons 25. While noting the measures taken against trafficking in persons, the Committee is deeply concerned about the increase in trafficking in persons, both internal and crossborder, in particular women and children, and the low numbers of persons prosecuted and convicted for the crime of trafficking in persons. The Committee is also concerned at the lack of medical, legal and social assistance, including shelter, for the victims of trafficking (art. 10). The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Take further measures to ensure the early identification of victims and the adequate training of law enforcement officers and the judiciary, with a view to effective investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators of trafficking as well as of those who exploit the victims of such acts; (b) Strengthen the collection of data on the victims, perpetrators, investigations and sanctions, including on sanctions for law enforcement officials implicated in trafficking; 8

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