A/HRC/20/24/Add.1 particular to ensure that the concerned person benefits from the service of a translator in Albanian if needed”.20 36. In this respect, the Special Rapporteur notes that cooperation with and training for Albanian lawyers living abroad and ensuring systematic follow-up on individual cases by consular staff is critical to guaranteeing the protection of the rights of emigrants deprived of their liberty. D. Civil and political rights 37. As noted in the National Strategy on Migration, a key implication of the high level of emigration is the level of political participation: many Albanians migrants cannot participate in Albanian elections although they make up a great part of the voters list. Whereas national law protects the political rights and freedoms of Albanian migrants abroad and provides that the State should create the necessary facilities for them to exercise the right to vote,21 article 11 of the Electoral Code stipulates that this right can only be exercised on the territory of Albania. The Special Rapporteur heard criticism that independent voting at consular offices remains problematic. E. Social security 38. In his meetings with returning migrants, the Special Rapporteur learned about their frustration at the lack of recognition of the social contributions paid while working abroad and about difficulties in accessing social services. In addition, in some of the principal countries of destination of Albanian migrant workers, a minimum of 15 years of continuous work is required in order to have access to the social system and benefit from social contributions. The Special Rapporteur recalls that under the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (art. 27), migrant workers and members of their families enjoy the same treatment granted to nationals with respect to social security and that the State of origin and the State of employment should establish the necessary arrangements to this effect. 39. The Special Rapporteur therefore welcomes the signing of bilateral agreements on social security with Belgium and Turkey, as well as the agreement on a pension plan between Albania and Greece, and reiterates the call by the Committee on Migrant Workers for Albania to conclude further bilateral agreements with the principal countries of destination (Italy and Greece) (CMW/C/ALB/CO/1, para. 28 (c)). In this regard, the Special Rapporteur welcomes the agreement of 19 July 2011 with Italy on seasonal workers, which stipulates that citizens of both countries who work in the territory of the other enjoy the same rights, including conditions of work, social protection, social benefits and fundamental rights of workers.22 20 21 22 12 National Strategy on Migration, p. 30. Law on Emigration of Albanian Citizens for Employment Purposes. Art. 11, Accordo Bilaterale in material di lavoro tra il Governo della Repubblica Italiana e Il Consiglio dei Ministri della Repubblica di Albania (translation from the Italian version of the agreement).