Marking of Weight (Packages Transported by Vessels) Convention, 1929 (No. 27) - Pakistan (Ratification: 1931)

Replies received to the issues raised in a direct request which do not give rise to further comments (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, which answers the points raised in its previous direct request and has no further matters to raise in this regard.

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

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report including a response to its general observation of 2007. It notes that there are three major ports in Pakistan, the Karachi, Bin Qasim and Gwadar Ports of which the two former each have a traditional portion as well as specifically dedicated container terminals. The Gwadar Port is as yet mainly dealing with bulk cargo, that is to say wheat and fertilizers, which is loaded using equators or grabs, some of which clearly mark the load capacity. The facilities in this port are still in development. The container terminals, as well as the Karachi Port Trust area of the Karachi Port, have computerized weighing scales checking the weight of containers entering the port. The shore cranes in the container terminals are modern cranes which cannot lift containers beyond their safe working load, whereas in the latter port, the bulk cargo is mostly loaded or unloaded using ships’ own cranes, although equators, tested grabs and shore cranes also are available. Based on the information provided by the Government in this and previous reports, the Committee notes that the Convention is implemented through legislation only in the Karachi Port through article 33-A of part III of the Karachi Port Trust Manual of 1931, that this legislation does not cover the Bin Qasim and Gwadar Ports and that the Government submits that modern equipment, which display the weight of containers, are used in all ports in Pakistan and that the standards of the Convention are thus applied in practice. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on measures taken for the application of the Convention in particular in the traditional parts of the ports in the country and to continue to provide any other pertinent information in relation to this Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

The Committee notes the renewed comments from the Pakistan Workers Federation, transmitted to the Government on 31 August 2010, recalling the obligations by the Government to apply the Convention in the port being developed at Gawadar in Baluchistan. With reference thereto and to its general observation on the application of this Convention to containers, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice including on the manner in which the Convention is applied to containers.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

The Committee notes the Government’s report including information on the application of the Convention in the country including in the port of Gawadar in response, inter alia, to comments from the Pakistan Workers’ Federation submitted in 2007 and again in 2008 and transmitted to the Government on 19 June 2007 and 10 October 2008, respectively. The Committee notes that the Government reports that the Convention as well as the IMO International Convention for Safe Containers are fully applied in all relevant ports. The Committee also notes that, in response to its general observation, the Government indicates that existing container terminals are using modern lifting equipment that also verify the weight of the containers, that the customs authorities impose a requirement on all container terminals and other port premises to provide information to it on the weight of every container, and that port premises or containers terminals experience no difficulties in determining the exact weight of packed or unpacked cargo or containers. The Committee requests the Government to continue supplying information on the manner in which the Convention is applied to containers both in national law and in practice.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

1. The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It also notes the comments from the Pakistan Workers’ Federation transmitted to the Government on 19 June 2007, requesting information on the implementation of the Convention in the new port being developed at Gawadar. The Committee requests the Government to supply a report for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, including information on measures taken to ensure the application of the Convention in the various ports in the country, including in the port at Gawadar.

2. With regard to the question of possible difficulties encountered in the application of the Convention in relation to modern methods of cargo handling, with particular reference to containers, the Committee requests the Government to refer to the general observation that it is making on the Convention at the present session.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee notes the provision under the Karachi Port Trust By-laws 33-A of the Manual Part III providing for the marking of weights on all goods of one metric ton or more by the shipper, which applies in particular Article 1, paragraphs 1 and 4, of the Convention. It further notes the Government's indication that this by-law also applies to containers. Finally, the Committee notes with interest the Government's statement to the effect that the Convention is implemented at the Port of Karachi, including Port Qasim, and that the abovementioned by-law is strictly enforced by the Karachi Port Trust. The Committee invites the Government to continue supplying information on the measures taken to ensure the application of the Convention in the various ports of the country.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

1. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Convention was applied in the ports of Karachi, Chittagong and Chalna and requested the Government to indicate the measures that had been taken or were envisaged to extend the application of the Convention to the other ports of the country.

The Committee notes that, in its report, the Government states that the Port Qasim authorities support the application of the Convention.

The Committee requests the Government to continue supplying information on the measures taken to ensure the application of the Convention in the various ports of the country.

2. The Committee also refers to the general observation that it made in 1987 on this Convention (see, International Labour Conference, 73rd Session, Report III, Part A, p. 86) and requests the Government to supply detailed information on the manner in which the Convention is applied to containers, both in national law and in practice.