Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Dock Work Convention, 1973 (No. 137) - Finland (Ratification: 1976)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report for the period ending in June 2012, which includes laws and regulations which entered into force during the reporting period and comments from the social partners. The Finnish Port Operators Association indicates that the general collective agreement of the loading and unloading sector guarantees a permanent full-time employment relationship to over 90 per cent of port workers. This collective agreement limits the average number of temporary workers in undertakings to less than 10 per cent of all personnel. It further adds that between 2005 and 2010, the income level for stevedores’ regular working hours increased by a total of 35 per cent, and the income level for time worked increased 45 per cent. The Finnish Port Operators Association further states that Convention No. 137 unjustly sets port workers in an exceptional position in regard to other employee groups. It proposes that Finland denounces Convention No. 137. The Committee notes that the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) has submitted comments of its member association, the Transport Workers’ Union (AKT). The AKT indicates that permanent stevedores’ income levels have been in line with the general wage development in industry from 2005 until the present. It adds that hundreds of jobs have vanished during the period in question, which cannot be explained by the recession or advancing port technology. The AKT views the purpose of Convention No. 137 as being more topical than ever, particularly as the EU White Paper refers to opening up entry to the port services market. The Committee invites the Government to provide information with respect to the issues raised by the social partners and the results achieved at the tripartite level in improving the efficiency of work in ports. Please also provide information on the manner in which the Convention is applied, including for instance extracts from reports and particulars of the numbers of dockworkers and of their variations during the period covered by the next report (Part V of the report form).