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Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Belize (RATIFICATION: 1983)

The Committee notes with deep concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It expects that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments. The Committee informs the Government that, if it has not supplied replies to the points raised by 1 September 2021, then it may proceed with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information at its disposal at its next session.

Repetition

Article 1(c) and (d) of the Convention. Disciplinary measures applicable to seafarers. For a number of years, the Committee has been referring to certain provisions of the merchant shipping legislation, under which penalties of imprisonment (involving compulsory prison labour, by virtue of section 66 of the Prison Rules) may be imposed for breaches of discipline such as desertion or absence without leave and disobedience, and deserted seafarers may be forcibly returned on board ship (section 60(1) and (3) of the Harbours and Merchant Shipping Act, Chapter 234, revised edition, 2000).

The Government previously indicated that necessary measures would be taken in order to bring merchant shipping legislation into conformity with the Convention. The Government also indicated that maritime issues form a part of the agenda of the Labour Advisory Board which is in charge of the revision of the national legislation.

The Committee welcomes the ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), by Belize on 8 July 2014. The Committee therefore trusts that the Government will provide information on the measures taken in order to bring the merchant shipping legislation into conformity with the Convention.