Protection against Accidents (Dockers) Convention (Revised), 1932 (No. 32) - Pakistan (Ratification: 1947)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Legislative developments. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee welcomes the adoption of the Pakistan Merchant Shipping Ordinance. The Committee asks the Government to continue to keep the Office informed on any developments in this respect.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes the information that the Merchant Shipping Ordinance is being implemented by the Mercantile Marine Department, that the second main piece of legislation implementing the Convention, the Dock Labourers Act, 1934, is implemented by the Directorate of Dock Workers and that in 2011 the Mercantile Marine Department carried out 7,998 inspections and issued seven warnings while the Directorate of Dock Workers carried out 2,624 inspections and issued four notices to companies. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply relevant statistical information in this respect

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

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report, including on the amendment of the Pakistan Dock Labourers Regulations, 1948, promulgated under SRO 302(I)/2006, dated 28 March 2006.

With reference to its previous observation based on the comments made by the Fishing Vessels Employees’ Union concerning the working conditions of coastal fishermen, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that the updated Pakistan Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2001, was still in the process of being approved. The Committee reiterates its hope that the Pakistan Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2001, as well as subsequent rules, will be adopted in the near future and requests the Government to provide a copy of this legislation as soon as it has been adopted.

Point V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee requests the Government to provide up to date statistical information on the number of inspections carried out, violations noted and penalties imposed as regards issues covered by the Convention.

The Committee also takes this opportunity to recall that the Governing Body of the ILO has invited parties to Convention No. 32 to consider ratification of Convention No. 152, which revises Convention No. 32 (GB.268/LILS/5(Rev.1), paragraphs 99–101). Such ratification would automatically entail an immediate denunciation of Convention No. 32. The Government is requested to keep the Office informed of any developments in this respect.

The Committee also wishes to bring to the Government’s attention to the ILO code of practice on safety and health in ports, Geneva, 2005. This code of practice is available, inter alia, through the ILO’s web site by following the link, www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/
safework/cops/english/index.htm.

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

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

Further to its previous observation based on the comments made by the Fishing Vessels Employees’ Union of 1991 concerning the working conditions of coastal fishermen, the Committee notes from the Government’s last report that the updated Pakistan Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2001, is in the process of approval. The Government states that as soon as it is adopted, a copy of the text will be provided to the ILO. The Committee reiterates its hope that this text, as well as subsequent rules, will be adopted shortly and that their provisions will give effect to the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the texts as soon as they have been adopted.

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

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

Further to its previous observation based on the comments made by the Fishing Vessels Employees’ Union of 1991 concerning the working conditions of coastal fishermen, the Committee notes from the Government’s report that the updated Pakistan Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2001, is in the process of approval. The Government states that as soon as it is adopted, a copy of the text will be provided to the ILO. The Committee reiterates its hope that this text, as well as subsequent rules, will be adopted shortly and that their provisions will give effect to the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the texts as soon as they have been adopted.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

With reference to the comments made by the Fishing Vessels Employees' Union in its communication of 1991 concerning the working conditions of coastal fishermen, the Committee notes from the Government's report that an updated Pakistan Merchant Shipping Draft Bill 1994, incorporating the corrections, amendments, reconsiderations and additions, made by the Law and Justice Division, would be submitted to the Cabinet for approval before its submission to the National Assembly.

The Committee hopes that the Draft Bill, as well as subsequent rules, will be adopted in the near future and that its provisions will give effect to the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of this text as soon as it has been adopted.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

The Committee notes that no report has been received from the Government. It must therefore repeat its previous observation on the following matter:

In 1993, the Committee noted the comments made by the Fishing Vessels Employees' Union in its communication of 11 July 1991 on the working conditions of coastal fishermen; in this communication, a copy of which was forwarded to the Government on 20 August 1991, the Fishing Vessels Employees' Union alleges that fishermen employed on seagoing fishing boats, crafts and trawlers have not been provided statutory protection under any enactment, in violation of, inter alia, the Convention No. 32: Protection against Accidents (Dockers) (Revised), 1932. In the absence of a reply by the Government, the Committee hopes that the Government will supply full information on any measures taken to apply the Convention to the fishing vessels concerned or to except them from the scope of the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending 30 June 1992, received in June 1993.

In the direct request addressed to the Government in 1993, the Committee noted the comments made by the Fishing Vessels Employees' Union in its communication of 11 July 1991 on the working conditions of coastal fishermen; in this communication, a copy of which was forwarded to the Government on 20 August 1991, the Fishing Vessels Employees' Union alleges that fishermen employed on seagoing fishing boats, crafts and trawlers have not been provided statutory protection under any enactment, in violation of, inter alia, the Convention No. 32: Protection against Accidents (Dockers) (Revised), 1932. In the absence of a reply by the Government, the Committee hopes that the Government will supply full information on any measures taken to apply the Convention to the fishing vessels concerned or to except them from the scope of the Convention.

[The Government is asked to report in detail for the period ending 30 June 1994.]

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending 30 June 1991, received in October 1992.

The Committee also notes the comments made by the Fishing Vessels Employees' Union in its communication of 11 July 1991 on the working conditions of coastal fishermen; according to this communication, a copy of which was forwarded to the Government on 20 August 1991, no existing labour law is applicable to the working conditions of the coastal fishermen. In the absence of a reply by the Government, the Committee would ask the Government to indicate in its next report whether coastal fishing vessels have been exempted from the application of all or part of the Dock Labourers' Act, 1934, and if so, to supply a copy of the relevant provisions.