Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

Article 1(c) and (d) of the Convention. 1. In its previous comments, the Committee observed that under sections 101 and 102 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1923, seamen could be forcibly conveyed on board ship to perform their duties, and under sections 100 and 103(ii), (iii) and (v) various disciplinary offences by seamen, concerning cases where life, health or safety are not endangered, were punishable with imprisonment which may involve an obligation to work. The Committee noted that the Bangladesh Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 1983, which has repealed the 1923 Act, again provides in sections 198 and 199 for the forcible conveyance of seamen on board ship to perform their duties, and in sections 196, 197 and 200(iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) for the punishment, with imprisonment which may involve an obligation to work, of various disciplinary offences in cases where life, safety or health are not endangered. The Committee requested the Government to review the Ordinance adopted in 1983 and to indicate the measures taken or contemplated to bring it into conformity with the Convention. The Committee notes the Government's renewed statement in its report that the Government is examining the suggestion of the Committee. The Committee again expresses the hope that the Government will soon be in a position to indicate that the necessary action has been taken to bring the Ordinance into conformity with the Convention.

2. A certain number of other legislative texts which call for comment under Article 1(a), (c) and (d) of the Convention are again dealt with in a direct request to the Government.