Old-age pensions are payable under the French mine workers system beginning at age 50 if a worker has credit for at least 30 years of work in a mining industry, including at least 2 years underground. 

The “special allowance” for mine workers is paid to individuals under age 55 who continue to work in mining and who have worked in that industry for at least 30 years, including a specified period of time underground.  The allowance is paid in addition to the worker’s regular salary and varies in amount based on the number of years the individual has worked underground.  If the individual continues to work in mining beyond age 55 the special allowance is converted into a “cumulative indemnity”.  The cumulative indemnity replaces the regular pension the worker would receive if he or she stopped working. 

Article 17.3(a) provides that the special allowance and cumulative indemnity will only be paid to persons who continue to work in French mines.