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

Accommodation of Crews Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 92) - Egypt (Ratification: 1982)

The Committee notes the Government's reply to its previous comments and the contents of Title 4 (medical and health services on board Egyptian vessels and maritime units) of Order No. 143 of 1990 issued by the Minister of Transport, Communications and Maritime Transport to issue the regulations under certain provisions of Act No. 232 of 1989.

In particular, the Committee notes the Government's statement that a committee made up of representatives of the Ministry of Maritime Transport, the Ministry of Manpower and Training and the services concerned will soon be established to examine the provisions of Conventions in relation to national legislation, give better effect to the Conventions and avoid any comments on this subject. It hopes that the Government will supply all the required information concerning the work of this committee, taking into account the following points.

Part II of the Convention

Article 4. The Committee notes the Government's statement that in practice the procedures for the submission of plans to modify or rebuild existing vessels are the same as for the submission of plans to build new vessels. However, it draws the Government's attention to the fact that the application of this provision also has to be ensured at the legislative level, by virtue of Article 3, paragraph 1. The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report the measures taken or envisaged to give full effect to this Article of the Convention.

Article 5. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the Ports and Lighthouses Authority examines complaints made by seafarers to the competent authority, under section 14 of Act No. 232 of 1989, and takes the necessary measures to organize an inquiry on the subject, including a visit of the ship, and to require the elimination of the grounds of the complaint. Please indicate in the next report the measures taken or envisaged to give full effect to this Article of the Convention in law.

Part III of the Convention

Article 14. The Committee notes that Title 4 of Order No. 143 deals with requirements relating to the medical and health services on board passenger vessels which only partly correspond to the requirements of this provision of the Convention. The Committee notes that the above legal text does not explicitly provide that separate hospital accommodation should be provided in any ship, including any ship transporting merchandise, carrying a crew of 15 or more and engaged in a voyage of more than three days (paragraph 1). Furthermore, sections 49, 50, 55, 56 and 58 of the above Order only apply to ships transporting at least 100, 300 or 1,500 persons respectively. The Committee requests the Government to supply information in its next report on the measures taken or envisaged to give full effect to this provision of the Convention.

Furthermore, the Committee notes that no legislation has yet been adopted to give effect to Articles 6 to 15 of the Convention, with the exception of Order No. 143 in the case of Article 14 of the Convention. It hopes that the Government's next report will contain information on the measures taken or envisaged in this respect.

Part V of the report form

The Committee once again requests the Government to include in its next report extracts from official reports of the inspection services.

Finally, the Committee notes the statement by the Maritime Transport Holding Company with reference to the Merchant Shipping Code (No. 8 of 1990) concerning the accommodation of crews. It would be grateful if the Government would supply a copy of any provision of the Code which may facilitate the application of the Convention.

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