Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its latest report that sections 152 and 153 of the Merchant Shipping Act of 1992 have been submitted to the office of the Attorney-General for possible amendments.

Under the terms of section 153, any seaman who alone, or in combination with other seamen, persistently and wilfully neglects his duty, disobeys lawful commands or impedes the navigation of the ship is liable to a sentence of imprisonment of five years (which, in accordance with section 28(1) of the Prisons Act, 1991, involves compulsory labour) and a fine of Rps.25,000.

The Committee recalls the comments that it has been making since 1965 on the provisions which permit the imposition of sentences involving compulsory labour for breaches of labour discipline, in violation of the requirements of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure observance of the Convention and to indicate in its next report the progress achieved in this respect.