Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 1995, publiée 83ème session CIT (1996)

Article 1(c) and (d) of the Convention. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that under sections 223 and 243 of the Merchant Shipping Code, seafarers are punished for breaches of labour discipline (absence without leave from the vessel, refusal to obey after formal order) with sentences of imprisonment involving compulsory labour under section 40 of the Penal Code.

The Committee notes that in its report the Government reiterates its previous indications to the effect that the authorities have decided to bring the provisions in question into conformity with the Convention during the revision of the Merchant Shipping Code and that, in practice, no sentence of imprisonment has been passed on a seafarer committing a breach of labour discipline.

The Committee requests the Government to supply information on any progress achieved in the adoption of the necessary amendments to bring the Merchant Shipping Code into conformity with the Convention.

The Committee notes that the draft Labour Code in one of its provisions (section L4) prohibits forced labour in all its forms.