Government as well as various administrative procedures corrections to the Social Security Institute(18), many of which were accepted. Also related to self-employed workers was the remark the Ombudsman made to the Government because these workers are still not entitled to an early old-age pension in the event of long-term unemployment, in contrast to employees. Another legislative amendment suggested was the reduction of the 10-year limitation period established for recovery of social benefits unduly paid. The legislative developments(19) have made necessary a fresh approach and a new thinking on this subject and have showed that such a long limitation period is unjust, disproportionate and creates legal uncertainty(20). On the other hand, the Ombudsman accepted the proposal raised by teachers with annual contracts in order to keep them entitled to access the convergent social protection scheme managed by Caixa Geral de Aposentações (CGA). In this sense, the Ombudsman suggested the Government to provide guidelines to CGA so that the situation is settled(21). Besides legislative changes, the Ombudsman also contributed to improve the administrative activity and good administrative practices, as one can see from the actions listed below. In fact, following several interventions and insistences of the Ombudsman, it was possible to a) solve issues related to social security registry of foreign workers(22); b) urge the Board of the Social Security Institute to adopt measures that avoid delays by Pensions National Centre to grant pensions to the elder and also on the coordination with foreign social security institutions according to EU regulations; c) solve several complaints concerning grant, refusal, suspension or termination of illegal social benefits; d) clarify and contribute to settle illegal debts compensations; e) contribute to the proper enforcement of the new administrative procedural code regarding administrative void decisions and revocation of decisions granting social benefits(23); solve issues related to framework and registry of workers in the social security system, remuneration registry in Social security Information System, contribution rates, exemptions and self-employed workers’ contributory base, as well as social security contributions debts and reimbursement of contributions unduly paid. (18)  For further details, see Section 6.3.1.a) of this Report. (19)  Currently, Portuguese law states a 5-year limitation period for social security contributions payment and for public money return. (20)  For further details, see Section 6.3.1.a) of this Report. (21)  For further details, see Section 6.3.1.a) of this Report. (22)  For further details, see Section 6.3.1.b) of this Report. (23)  See an example in Section 6.3.1.a) of this Report. 48 |