Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

The Committee notes with regret that no report has been received from the Government since 1992 on the situation of dockworkers. This is of particular concern as the Government had earlier indicated that the number of dockworkers was likely to be affected by the introduction of high-technology facilities. The Committee hopes that a report will be supplied for examination at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its direct request of 1993, which read as follows:

Article 3, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the Convention. The Committee notes, in particular, statistical information concerning occupational categories of registered dockworkers. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate, in its next report, the manner in which registered dockworkers are assured priority of engagement for dock work and are required to make themselves available for work. It also asks the Government to continue to provide particulars of the numbers of dockworkers (including those in Zanzibar) on the registers maintained in accordance with this Article and of variations in their numbers during the period covered by the report, in accordance with Part V of the report form.

Article 4. The Government indicates that the number of dockworkers will be undoubtedly affected as a result of the introduction of high technology facilities. It states that the review of the registers is conducted in such a way that the needs of the ports are met and detrimental effects on dockworkers through redundancies, lay-offs, etc., are minimized. Please describe in more detail the measures instituted to prevent or minimize detrimental effects on dockworkers of a reduction in the strength of registers, and the criteria and procedures laid down for the implementation of these measures.

Article 5. The Committee takes note of the information in the Government’s report concerning cooperation between employers and workers through high-level meetings (e.g. the Master Workers’ Council). Please state whether any measures have been taken to encourage further cooperation between employers or their organizations, on the one hand, and workers’ organizations, on the other hand, in improving the efficiency of work in ports.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.