Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

Dock Work Convention, 1973 (No. 137) - Guyana (Ratification: 1983)

The Committee notes with concern that, since 2002, it has repeatedly requested the Government to communicate information to enable it to determine the manner in which the Convention is given effect in Guyana. It notes the Government’s brief report, which indicates that the working arrangements for dockworkers are not structured and organized. The Government adds that dockworkers are basically freelancers operating informally in the private sector and that, therefore, it is difficult to ascertain whether the provisions of the Convention are applied. In this respect, the Committee recalls that the Convention does not exclude independent workers. Article 1(1) of the Convention provides that it applies to all persons who are regularly available for work as dockworkers and who depend on dock work for their main annual income. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide detailed information on the manner in which compliance with the provisions of the Convention is ensured. It further requests the Government to communicate the number of dockworkers in all occupational categories on the registers maintained in accordance with Article 3(1) of the Convention, and of any variations in their numbers (Part V of the report form).

The Committee expects that the Government’s next report will contain full information in response to its previous comments.