Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

Accommodation of Crews (Fishermen) Convention, 1966 (No. 126) - Sierra Leone (Ratification: 1967)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied 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, which read as follows:

The Committee has been commenting for a number of years on the application of Article 6, paragraphs 7-9 and 11-16, of the Convention (structure and arrangement of crew accommodation), Article 10, paragraphs 22 and 26 (furniture and berthing), and Article 12, paragraphs 2, 7, 10 and 11 (sanitary and laundry facilities), in respect of vessels of 75 gross registered tons or more. In this regard, the Government indicates that new regulations have been issued for the fishing industry in order to apply the Convention. The Government also states in its last report that progress is being made and that a national workshop on the formulation of fishing policies was organized. The Government further indicates that copies of the new legislation and policy regulations will be communicated to the ILO as soon as they are adopted.

The Committee asks the Government to supply a copy of the regulations issued. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the outcome of the national workshop on fishing policies and on any concrete progress made in respect of the adoption of new legislation giving effect to the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to structural difficulties and lack of material capacity to finalize the process. It recalls that the Office remains ready to offer expert advice and respond favourably to any specific request for technical assistance in this regard. Finally, the Committee would appreciate receiving up to date information on the effect given to the Convention in practice, as requested under Parts III and V of the report form, including information concerning the number of fishers and fishing vessels covered by the Convention.